88 Major Constellation Names

The 88 major constellations that light up our night sky! These constellations are like giant dot-to-dot puzzles spread across the universe, and they’ve been fascinating humans for thousands of years. From the Big Dipper to Orion’s Belt, each constellation has its own story, making them a cool part of our history and culture.

Constellation Names

The 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) cover the entire night sky across the globe. Each has a unique Latin name, an English name, and a meaning or backstory often rooted in mythology, animals, or objects.

88 Major Constellation Official Names and Meanings

In contemporary astrology, there are 88 constellations that are recognized by the International Astronomical Union. 42 depict animals, 29 depict inanimate objects and 17 depict humans or mythological characters. Here’s a list of these constellations with their Latin names, English names, and meanings:

Constellations Depicting Animals (42)

1. Apus – Bird of Paradise
2. Aquila – Eagle
3. Aries – Ram
4. Canes Venatici – Hunting Dogs
5. Canis Major – Great Dog
6. Canis Minor – Lesser Dog
7. Capricornus – Sea Goat
8. Cetus – Whale
9. Chamaeleon – Chameleon
10. Columba – Dove
11. Corvus – Crow
12. Cygnus – Swan
13. Delphinus – Dolphin
14. Dorado – Dolphinfish
15. Draco – Dragon
16. Equuleus – Little Horse
17. Grus – Crane
18. Hydra – Water Snake
19. Hydrus – Male Water Snake
20. Lacerta – Lizard
21. Leo – Lion
22. Leo Minor – Lesser Lion
23. Lepus – Hare
24. Lupus – Wolf
25. Lynx – Lynx
26. Monoceros – Unicorn
27. Musca – Fly
28. Ophiuchus – Serpent Bearer (depicts a human but is named for the serpent)
29. Orion – Hunter (depicts a human but is named for the hunter aspect)
30. Pavo – Peacock
31. Pegasus – Winged Horse
32. Phoenix – Phoenix
33. Pisces – Fishes
34. Piscis Austrinus – Southern Fish
35. Sagitta – Arrow (considered here due to its representation as an object used by animals/humans)
36. Scorpius – Scorpion
37. Serpens – Serpent
38. Taurus – Bull
39. Ursa Major – Great Bear
40. Ursa Minor – Lesser Bear
41. Volans – Flying Fish
42. Vulpecula – Fox

Constellations Depicting Inanimate Objects (29)

1. Antlia – Air Pump
2. Ara – Altar
3. Auriga – Charioteer (depicts a human but is named for the chariot)
4. Boötes – Herdsman (depicts a human but is named for the herding aspect)
5. Caelum – Chisel
6. Carina – Keel
7. Circinus – Compasses
8. Coma Berenices – Berenice’s Hair
9. Corona Australis – Southern Crown
10. Corona Borealis – Northern Crown
11. Crater – Cup
12. Crux – Southern Cross
13. Fornax – Furnace
14. Hercules – Hercules (depicts a human but is named for the hero aspect)
15. Horologium – Clock
16. Libra – Scales
17. Mensa – Table Mountain
18. Microscopium – Microscope
19. Norma – Level
20. Octans – Octant
21. Pictor – Painter’s Easel
22. Pyxis – Compass Box
23. Reticulum – Net
24. Sculptor – Sculptor (depicts a human but is named for the object aspect)
25. Sextans – Sextant
26. Telescopium – Telescope
27. Triangulum – Triangle
28. Triangulum Australe – Southern Triangle
29. Vela – Sails

Constellations Depicting Humans or Mythological Characters (17)

1. Andromeda – Princess of Ethiopia
2. Aquarius – Water Bearer
3. Cancer – Crab (associated with the myth of Hercules)
4. Cassiopeia – Queen of Ethiopia
5. Cepheus – King of Ethiopia
6. Gemini – Twins
7. Hercules – Hercules
8. Indus – Indian
9. Leo – Lion (associated with the myth of Hercules)
10. Orion – Hunter
11. Perseus – Perseus
12. Sagittarius – Archer
13. Scorpius – Scorpion (associated with the myth of Orion)
14. Taurus – Bull (associated with several myths, including that of Europa)
15. Virgo – Virgin
16. Ophiuchus – Serpent Bearer
17. Lyra – Lyre (associated with the myth of Orpheus)

What is Constellation?

A constellation is a group of stars that forms an imaginary outline or pattern in the night sky, typically representing an animal, mythological person or creature, object, or character. Historically, constellations have been used for navigation, to track the seasons, and as part of cultural lore and mythology across different civilizations around the world.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially recognizes 88 constellations that cover the entire celestial sphere. Each constellation is defined by specific boundaries set by the IAU, meaning that every point in the sky belongs to one constellation. These boundaries allow astronomers to communicate about the regions of the sky more effectively.

Constellations are not real objects in space, rather, they are patterns as seen from Earth, created by perspective. The stars in a constellation can be vastly different in brightness, distance from Earth, and physical properties, and they may not be physically related to each other in any way other than their apparent proximity when viewed from Earth.

Orion Constellation

The Orion constellation is one of the most prominent and recognizable constellations in the night sky, visible around the world and known since ancient times. It is named after Orion, a hunter in Greek mythology, and is best known for its distinctive belt of three stars in a straight line.

Key Features:

• Orion’s Belt: The three bright stars (Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka) form a straight line that is often used as a landmark to identify the constellation and navigate the night sky.
• Betelgeuse: A red supergiant star that represents Orion’s right shoulder, notable for its deep red color and status as one of the largest stars visible to the naked eye.
• Rigel: A blue supergiant star that serves as Orion’s left foot, known for its bright blue-white color and being one of the most luminous stars in the night sky.
• Orion Nebula (M42): Located just below Orion’s Belt, this is one of the brightest nebulae visible to the naked eye and a popular target for amateur astronomers. It is a region of active star formation.

Mythology:

In Greek mythology, Orion was a giant huntsman whom Zeus placed among the stars as the constellation of Orion. Various stories exist about his birth and how he ended up in the sky, often involving his hunting prowess and tragic death.

Visibility:

Orion is located on the celestial equator, making it visible to almost everyone around the world. It is best seen during winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

What are 88 prominent groups of stars in the sky called?

The 88 prominent groups of stars in the sky are called Constellations. These constellations are recognized and named by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and cover the entire night sky, serving as a way to divide the sky into distinct regions for identification and navigation purposes. Each constellation is associated with a particular pattern of stars and often has stories or mythologies tied to it, originating from various cultures around the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the night sky is a vast canvas painted with 88 major constellations, each with its own unique history, mythology, and astronomical significance. From the zodiac constellations that chart our astrological fates to the far-flung clusters that guide navigators and inspire astronomers, these celestial formations have fascinated humanity across cultures and millennia. As we continue to explore the cosmos, both through advanced telescopes and the naked eye, the constellations serve as a timeless map to the universe’s wonders. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or simply admire the beauty of the night sky, the knowledge of these constellations adds depth to our understanding of the cosmos and our place within it.

As technology and science advance, our exploration of the stars will undoubtedly reveal more secrets, but the 88 major constellations will remain as the foundational guideposts in our celestial journey, connecting us with the generations of stargazers who have looked up in wonder before us.

88 Major Constellation Names – FAQs

Who named the 88 constellations?

Over half of the 88 official constellation names are attributed to the ancient Greeks. The International Astronomical Union governs the naming of these star-formed “patterns.”

Are all 88 constellations visible?

Officially there are 88 constellations. Since Texas lies in the Northern Hemisphere we can’t see all 88. A long time ago, people named the areas after the pictures the stars formed – or the pictures they kind of formed. The Big Dipper is part of the bigger constellation, Ursa Major, which is also called Big Bear.

Which is the smallest of 88 constellations?

Crux is bordered by the constellations Centaurus (which surrounds it on three sides) on the east, north and west, and Musca to the south. Covering 68 square degrees and 0.165% of the night sky, it is the smallest of the 88 constellations.

Who created constellations?

The origins of the patterns is not known for certain, though the ancient Chinese and Egyptians are known to have applied symbolic sky maps. The basic pattern followed today is that of the ancient Greeks and all of those given in Ptolemy’s Algamest (dating from c. 150 AD) are still in use.

What constellation has 4 stars?

The Great Square of Pegasus consists of 4 stars of nearly equal brightness: Scheat, Alpheratz, Markab and Algenib. The Great Square is an asterism within the constellation Pegasus.

What is the 2 biggest constellation?

Virgo is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for maiden, and its old astronomical symbol is . Between Leo to the west and Libra to the east, it is the second-largest constellation in the sky (after Hydra) and the largest constellation in the zodiac.