“4th

THE CONSTELLATIONS

The Constellations

The majority of the common constellations date back to ancient times, but the exact list that we have today did not come into being until the early 20th century. Between 1922 and 1930, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) passed a series of resolutions which divided the celestial sphere into 88 defined areas with proper spellings and abbreviations. The constellations all fit on the celestial sphere like puzzle pieces on a giant 3-D spherical puzzle. Historically speaking, the word constellation was used in reference to a group of stars that represented an object of some sort (like the Big Dipper or Orion). Today, however, the word constellation officially is in reference to the "puzzle pieces" or divisions of the celestial sphere that contain these stars. The common star groups and shapes, like the big dipper, are now called asterisms.

Each constellation name has two forms: the nominative, for use when you're talking about the constellation itself, and the genitive, or possessive, which is used in star names. For instance, Hamal, the brightest star in the constellation Aries (nominative form), is also called Alpha Arietis (genitive form), meaning literally "the Alpha of Aries." This doesn't make life very easy for amateurs, but as the old saying goes, "it is what it is." We have included a chart below outlining the abbreviations and names of each of the 88 constellations.

The first 44 constellations (1-44):


Abbreviation
Nominative
Genitive
English Nickname
Nominative Pronunciation
Genitive Pronunciation
Comments
And
Andromeda
Andromedae
the Chained Maiden
an-DRAH-mih-duh
an-DRAH-mih-dee
ancient, daughter of Cepheus
Ant
Antlia
Antliae
the Air Pump
ANT-lee-uh
ANT-lee-ee
18th century
Aps
Apus
Apodis
the Bird of Paradise
APE-us, APP-us
APP-oh-diss
16th century
Aqr
Aquarius
Aquarii
the Water Bearer
uh-QUAIR-ee-us
uh-QUAIR-ee-eye
ancient, in zodiac
Aql
Aquila
Aquilae
the Eagle
ACK-will-uh, uh-QUILL-uh
ACK-will-ee, uh-QUILL-ee
ancient
Ara
Ara
Arae
the Altar
AIR-uh, AR-uh
AIR-ee, AR-ee
southernmost ancient constellation
Ari
Aries
Arietis
the Ram
AIR-eez, AIR-ee-yeez
uh-RYE-ih-tiss
ancient, in zodiac
Aur
Auriga
Aurigae
the Charioteer
aw-RYE-guh
aw-RYE-ghee
ancient
Boo
Boötes
Boötis
the Herdsman
bo-OH-teez
bo-OH-tiss
ancient, also called Bear Watcher
Cae
Caelum
Caeli
the Engraving Tool
SEE-lum
SEE-lye
18th century
Cam
Camelopardalis
Camelopardalis
the Giraffe
cuh-MEL-oh-PAR-duh-liss
cuh-MEL-oh-PAR-duh-liss
17th century
Cnc
Cancer
Cancri
the Crab
CAN-ser
CANG-cry
ancient, in zodiac
Cvn
Canes Venatici
Canum Venaticorum
the Hunting Dogs
CANE-eez (CAN-eez) ve-NAT-iss-eye
CANE-um (CAN-um) ve-nat-ih-COR-um
17th century
CMa
Canis Major
Canis Majoris
the Great Dog
CANE-iss (CAN-iss) MAY-jer
CANE-iss (CAN-iss) muh-JOR-iss
ancient
CMi
Canis Minor
Canis Minoris
the Lesser Dog
CANE-iss (CAN-iss) MY-ner
CANE-iss (CAN-iss) mih-NOR-iss
ancient
Cap
Capricornus
Capricorni
the Sea Goat
CAP-rih-CORN-us
CAP-rih-CORN-eye
ancient, in zodiac, fish-goat hybrid
Car
Carina
Carinae
the Keel
cuh-RYE-nuh, cuh-REE-nuh
cuh-RYE-nee, cuh-REE-nee
of the ship Argo
Cas
Cassiopeia
Cassiopeiae
the Seated Queen
CASS-ee-uh-PEE-uh
CASS-ee-uh-PEE-ye
ancient, Andromeda's mother
Cen
Centaurus
Centauri
the Centaur
sen-TOR-us
sen-TOR-eye
ancient, far-southern
Cep
Cepheus
Cephei
the King
SEE-fyoos, SEE-fee-us, SEF-ee-us
SEE-fee-eye, SEF-ee-eye
ancient, Andromeda's father
Cet
Cetus
Ceti
the Sea Monster
SEE-tus
SEE-tie
ancient, Andromeda's assailant
Cha
Chamaeleon
Chamaeleontis
the Chameleon
cuh-MEAL-yun, cuh-MEAL-ee-un
cuh-MEAL-ee-ON-tiss
16th century
Cir
Circinus
Circini
the Drafting Compass
SER-sin-us
SER-sin-eye
18th century
Col
Columba
Columbae
the Dove
cuh-LUM-buh
cuh-LUM-bee
16th century, Noah's dove
Com
Coma Berenices
Comae Berenices
Berenice's Hair
COE-muh BER-uh-NICE-eez
COE-mee BER-uh-NICE-eez
Queen of Egypt c. 240 B.C.
CrA
Corona Australis
Coronae Australis
the Southern Crown
cuh-ROE-nuh aw-STRAL-iss
cuh-ROE-nee aw-STRAL-iss
ancient, far-southern
CrB
Corona Borealis
Coronae Borealis
the Northern Crown
cuh-ROE-nuh bor-ee-AL-iss3
cuh-ROE-nee bor-ee-AL-iss3
ancient
Crv
Corvus
Corvi
the Crow
COR-vus
COR-vye
ancient
Crt
Crater
Crateris
the Cup
CRAY-ter
cruh-TEE-riss
ancient
Cru
Crux
Crucis
the Southern Cross
CRUCKS, CROOKS
CROO-siss
16th century, carved out of Centaurus
Cyg
Cygnus
Cygni
the Swan
Cygnus
Cygni
the Swan
Del
Delphinus
Delphini
the Dolphin
del-FINE-us, del-FIN-us
del-FINE-eye, del-FIN-eye
ancient
Dor
Dorado
Doradus
the Dolphinfish
duh-RAH-do
duh-RAH-dus
16th century
Dra
Draco
Draconis
the Dragon
DRAY-co
druh-CONE-iss
ancient
Eql
Equuleus
Equulei
the Little Horse
eh-QUOO-lee-us
eh-QUOO-lee-eye
ancient
Eri
Eridanus
Eridani
the River
ih-RID-un-us
ih-RID-un-eye
ancient, a mythological river
For
Fornax
Fornacis
the Furnace
FOR-naks
for-NAY-siss
18th century
Gem
Gemini
Geminorum
the Twins
JEM-uh-nye, JEM-uh-nee
JEM-uh-NOR-um
ancient, in zodiac
Gru
Grus
Gruis
the Crane
GRUSS, GROOS
GROO-iss
16th century
Her
Hercules
Herculis
Hercules
HER-kyuh-leez
HER-kyuh-liss
ancient, mightiest of heroes
Hor
Horologium
Horologii
the Clock
hor-uh-LOE-jee-um
hor-uh-LOE-jee-eye
18th century
Hya
Hydra
Hydrae
the Water Snake
HIGH-druh
HIGH-dree
usually female in ancient times
Hyi
Hydrus
Hydri
the Male Water Snake
HIGH-drus
HIGH-dry
16th century
Ind
Indus
Indi
the Indian
IN-dus
IN-dye
16th century



The second 44 constellations (45-48):


Abbreviation
Nominative
Genitive
English Nickname
Nominative Pronunciation
Genitive Pronunciation
Comments
Lac
Lacerta
Lacertae
the Lizard
luh-SER-tuh
luh-SER-tee
17th century
Leo
Leo
Leonis
the Lion
LEE-oh
lee-OH-niss
ancient, in zodiac
LMi
Leo Minor
Leonis Minoris
the Lesser Lion
LEE-oh MY-ner
lee-OH-niss mih-NOR-iss
17th century
Lep
Lepus
Leporis
the Hare
LEEP-us, LEP-us
LEP-or-iss
ancient
Lib
Libra
Librae
the Scales
LEE-bruh, LYE-bruh
LEE-bree, LYE-bree
ancient, in zodiac
Lup
Lupus
Lupi
the Wolf
LOOP-us
LOOP-eye
ancient, far-southern
Lyn
Lynx
Lyncis
the Lynx
LINKS
LIN-siss
17th century
Lyr
Lyra
Lyrae
the Lyre
LYE-ruh
LYE-ree
ancient kind of harp
Men
Mensa
Mensae
the Table
MEN-suh
MEN-see
18th century, from Table Mountain
Mic
Mensa
Mensae
the Table
MEN-suh
MEN-see
18th century, from Table Mountain
Mon
Monoceros
Monocerotis
the Unicorn
muh-NAH-ser-us
muh-NAH-ser-OH-tiss
17th century
Mus
Musca
Muscae
the Fly
MUSS-cuh
MUSS-see, MUSS-kee
18th century
Nor
Norma
Normae
the Carpenter's Square
NOR-muh
NOR-mee
18th century
Oct
Octans
Octantis
the Octant
OCK-tanz
ock-TAN-tiss
18th century
Oph
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchi
the Serpent Bearer
OFF-ee-YOO-kus, OAF-ee-YOO-kus
OFF-ee-YOO-kye, OAF-ee-YOO-kye
ancient
Ori
Orion
Orionis
the Hunter
oh-RYE-un, uh-RYE-un
or-eye-OH-niss
ancient, a mythological hunter
Pav
Pavo
Pavonis
the Peacock
PAY-vo
puh-VOE-niss
16th century
Peg
Pegasus
Pegasi
the Winged Horse
PEG-us-us
PEG-us-eye
ancient
Per
Perseus
Persei
the Hero
PER-see-us, PER-syoos
PER-see-eye
ancient, Andromeda's rescuer
Phe
Phoenix
Phoenicis
the Phoenix
FEE-nix
fuh-NICE-iss
16th century
Pic
Pictor
Pictoris
the Painter
PICK-ter
pick-TOR-iss
18th century, from Painter's Easel
Psc
Pisces
Piscium
the Fishes
PICE-eez, PISS-eez
PICE-ee-um, PISH-ee-um
ancient, in zodiac
PsA
Piscis Austrinus
Piscis Austrini
the Southern Fish
Piscis Austrinus
Piscis Austrini
the Southern Fish
Pup
Puppis
Puppis
the Stern
PUP-iss
PUP-iss
of the ship Argo
Pyx
Pyxis
Pyxidis
the Magnetic Compass
PIX-iss
PIX-ih-diss
of the ship Argo
Ret
Reticulum
Reticulii
the Reticle
rih-TICK-yuh-lum
rih-TICK-yuh-lye
18th century
Sge
Sagitta
Sagittae
the Arrow
suh-JIT-uh
suh-JIT-ee
ancient
Sgr
Sagittarius
Sagittarii
the Archer
SAJ-ih-TARE-ee-us
SAJ-ih-TARE-ee-eye
ancient, in zodiac
Sco
Scorpius
Scorpii
the Scorpion
SCOR-pee-us
SCOR-pee-eye
ancient, in zodiac
Scl
Sculptor
Sculptoris
the Sculptor
SCULP-ter
sculp-TOR-iss
18th century, from Sculptor's Studio
Sct
Scutum
Scuti
the Shield
SCOOT-um, SCYOOT-um
SCOOT-eye, SCYOOT-eye
17th century
Ser
Serpens
Serpentis
the Serpent
SER-punz
ser-PEN-tiss
ancient
Sex
Sextans
Sextantis
the Sextant
SEX-tunz
sex-TAN-tiss
18th century
Tau
Taurus
Tauri
the Bull
TOR-us
TOR-eye
ancient, in zodiac
Tel
Telescopium
Telescopii
the Telescope
tel-ih-SCOPE-ee-um
tel-ih-SCOPE-ee-eye
18th century
Tri
Triangulum
Trianguli
the Triangle
try-ANG-gyuh-lum
try-ANG-gyuh-lye
ancient
TrA
Triangulum Australe
Trianguli Australis
the Southern Triangle
try-ANG-gyuh-lum aw-STRAL-ee
try-ANG-gyuh-lye aw-STRAL-iss
16th century
Tuc
Tucana
Tucanae
the Toucan
too-KAY-nuh, too-KAH-nuh
too-KAY-nee, too-KAH-nee
16th century
UMa
Ursa Major
Ursae Majoris
the Great Bear
ER-suh MAY-jur
ER-suh muh-JOR-iss
ancient, also called Wagon
UMi
Ursa Minor
Ursae Minoris
the Lesser Bear
ER-suh MY-ner
ER-suh mih-NOR-iss
ancient
Vel
Vela
Velorum
the Sails
VEE-luh, VAY-luh
vee-LOR-um, vuh-LOR-um
of the ship Argo
Vir
Virgo
Virginis
the Maiden
VER-go
VER-jin-iss
ancient, in zodiac
Vol
Volans
Volantis
the Flying Fish
VOH-lanz
vo-LAN-tiss
16th century
Vul
Vulpecula
Vulpeculae
the Fox
vul-PECK-yuh-luh
vul-PECK-yuh-lee
17th century


The Origin of Constellations

Constellations, and their names, are things that humans simply "made up." Various cultures over the centuries have divided and organized the stars in various different ways, though a few sky patterns appear to be universal amongst many. Most likely, this is the result of a common origin—particularly Babel. In other words, if we assume that the night sky was broken up into "constellations" or groups, or patterns, before Babel, then after God divided the people at Babel, they all would have taken their constellations (or knowledge of the night sky) with them in their various "people groups."

However, today, with the exception of a handful of constellations, the night sky has been seen differently by every generation and culture. So, how did we get such strange and varied names for our constellations today—from Greek, Roman, and ancient cultures? In short, when navigators in the 15th century began to explore the seas, they ventured down past the equator and began to notice stars that were not in Ptolemy's catalog. They then organized these new stars into new constellations (mostly stars in the Southern Hemishpere). Later, with the advent of the telescope, astronomers began to create additional constellations to fill in the gaps between the new ones and the traditional ones.

Then, when Rome conquered the Greek-speaking world in around 30 B.C., all of the Greek constellation names were wither translated or transliterated into Latin (which was the language of the Roman Empire). This is why the constellations have both Greek and Latin names and it is also why Latin become the standard language for scientific nomenclature. Yes, it can be very confusing, but as the old saying goes, "it is what it is."

Today, the names of the constellations are kept consistent throughout the world by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
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