A constellation is a group of stars that appears to form a pattern or shape when viewed from Earth. Constellations are used to help people locate and identify specific stars in the night sky. They have been used for thousands of years by different cultures around the world for navigation, celestial mapping, and as a way to tell stories about the natural world.
There are 88 constellations that are recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), and they are divided into three categories: modern constellations, traditional constellations, and extinct constellations. Modern constellations are those that were created by the IAU in the 20th century and are based on scientific observations of the night sky. Traditional constellations are those that have been recognized and used by different cultures for centuries and are often based on mythological stories. Extinct constellations are those that were once recognized by the IAU but are no longer used.
Each constellation has a specific area of the night sky where it is located, and it is usually named after a characteristic or feature of the pattern that it forms. Some well-known constellations include Orion the Hunter, Ursa Major (the Great Bear), and Cassiopeia.
| Constellation | Abbreviations | Meaning | Brightest star |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andromeda | And | Princess of Ethiopia | Alpheratz |
| Antlia | Ant | Air pump | Alpha Antliae |
| Apus | Aps | Bird of Paradise | Alpha Apodis |
| Aquarius | Aqr | Water bearer | Sadalsuud |
| Aquila | Aql | Eagle | Altair |
| Ara | Ara | Altar | Beta Arae |
| Aries | Ari | Ram | Hamal |
| Auriga | Aur | Charioteer | Capella |
| Boötes | Boo | Herdsman | Arcturus |
| Caelum | Cae | Graving tool | Alpha Caeli |
| Camelopardalis | Cam | Giraffe | Beta Camelopardalis |
| Cancer | Cnc | Crab | Tarf |
| Canes Venatici | CVn | Hunting dogs | Cor Caroli |
| Canis Major | CMa | Big dog | Sirius |
| Canis Minor | CMi | Little dog | Procyon |
| Capricornus | Cap | Sea goat | Deneb Algedi |
| Carina | Car | Keel of Argonauts' ship | Canopus |
| Cassiopeia | Cas | Queen of Ethiopia | Schedar |
| Centaurus | Cen | Centaur | Rigil Kentaurus |
| Cepheus | Cep | King of Ethiopia | Alderamin |
| Cetus | Cet | Sea monster (whale) | Diphda |
| Chamaeleon | Cha | Chameleon | Alpha Chamaeleontis |
| Circinus | Cir | Compasses | Alpha Circini |
| Columba | Col | Dove | Phact |
| Coma Berenices | Com | Berenice's hair | Beta Comae Berenices |
| Corona Australis | CrA | Southern crown | Meridiana |
| Corona Borealis | CrB | Northern crown | Alphecca |
| Corvus | Crv | Crow | Gienah |
| Crater | Crt | Cup | Delta Crateris |
| Crux | Cru | Cross (southern) | Acrux |
| Cygnus | Cyg | Swan | Deneb |
| Delphinus | Del | Porpoise | Rotanev |
| Dorado | Dor | Swordfish | Alpha Doradus |
| Draco | Dra | Dragon | Eltanin |
| Equuleus | Equ | Little horse | Kitalpha |
| Eridanus | Eri | River | Achernar |
| Fornax | For | Furnace | Dalim |
| Gemini | Gem | Twins | Pollux |
| Grus | Gru | Crane | Alnair |
| Hercules | Her | Hercules, son of Zeus | Kornephoros |
| Horologium | Hor | Clock | Alpha Horologii |
| Hydra | Hya | Sea serpent | Alphard |
| Hydrus | Hyi | Water snake | Beta Hydri |
| Indus | Ind | Indian | Alpha Indi |
| Lacerta | Lac | Lizard | Alpha Lacertae |
| Leo | Leo | Lion | Regulus |
| Leo Minor | LMi | Little lion | Praecipua |
| Lepus | Lep | Hare | Arneb |
| Libra | Lib | Balance | Zubeneschamali[8] |
| Lupus | Lup | Wolf | Alpha Lupi |
| Lynx | Lyn | Lynx | Alpha Lyncis |
| Lyra | Lyr | Lyre or harp | Vega |
| Mensa | Men | Table mountain | Alpha Mensae |
| Microscopium | Mic | Microscope | γ Microscopii |
| Monoceros | Mon | Unicorn | Beta Monocerotis |
| Musca | Mus | Fly | Alpha Muscae |
| Norma | Nor | Carpenter's Level | γ2 Normae |
| Octans | Oct | Octant | ν Octantis |
| Ophiuchus | Oph | Holder of serpent | Rasalhague |
| Orion | Ori | Orion, the hunter | Rigel |
| Pavo | Pav | Peacock | Peacock |
| Pegasus | Peg | Pegasus, the winged horse | Enif |
| Perseus | Per | Perseus, hero who saved Andromeda | Mirfak |
| Phoenix | Phe | Phoenix | Ankaa |
| Pictor | Pic | Easel | Alpha Pictoris |
| Pisces | Psc | Fishes | Alpherg |
| Piscis Austrinus | PsA | Southern fish | Fomalhaut |
| Puppis | Pup | Stern of the Argonauts' ship | Naos |
| Pyxis | Pyx | Compass on the Argonauts' ship | Alpha Pyxidis |
| Reticulum | Ret | Net | Alpha Reticuli |
| Sagitta | Sge | Arrow | γ Sagittae |
| Sagittarius | Sgr | Archer | Kaus Australis |
| Scorpius | Sco | Scorpion | Antares |
| Sculptor | Scl | Sculptor's tools | Alpha Sculptoris |
| Scutum | Sct | Shield | Alpha Scuti |
| Serpens[11] | Ser | Serpent | Unukalhai |
| Sextans | Sex | Sextant | Alpha Sextantis |
| Taurus | Tau | Bull | Aldebaran |
| Telescopium | Tel | Telescope | Alpha Telescopii |
| Triangulum | Tri | Triangle | β Trianguli |
| Triangulum Australe | TrA | Southern triangle | Atria |
| Tucana | Tuc | Toucan | Alpha Tucanae |
| Ursa Major | UMa | Big bear | Alioth |
| Ursa Minor | UMi | Little bear | Polaris |
| Vela | Vel | Sail of the Argonauts' ship | γ2 Velorum |
| Virgo | Vir | Virgin | Spica |
| Volans | Vol | Flying fish | Beta Volantis |
| Vulpecula | Vul | Fox | Anser |