IAU designated constellations

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File:Constellations, equirectangular plot.svg
IAU designated constellations in equirectangular projection (epoch B1875.0)

In contemporary astronomy, 88 constellations are recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).[1] Each constellation is a region of the sky bordered by arcs of right ascension and declination, together covering the entire celestial sphere. Their boundaries were officially adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1928[2] and published in 1930.[3]

The ancient Mesopotamians and later the Greeks established most of the northern constellations in international use today, listed by the Roman-Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy. The constellations along the ecliptic are called the zodiac. When explorers mapped the stars of the southern skies, European astronomers proposed new constellations for that region, as well as ones to fill gaps between the traditional constellations. Because of their Roman and European origins, every constellation has a Latin name. In 1922, the International Astronomical Union adopted three-letter abbreviations for 89 constellations, the modern list of 88 plus Argo.[4] After this, Eugène Joseph Delporte drew up boundaries for each of the 88 constellations so that every point in the sky belonged to one constellation.[1][3] When astronomers say that an object lies in a particular constellation, they mean that it is positioned within these specified boundaries.

History

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Some constellations are no longer recognized by the IAU, but may appear in older star charts and other references. Most notable is Argo Navis, which was one of Ptolemy's original 48 constellations. In the 1750s the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille divided this into three separate constellations: Carina, Puppis, and Vela.[5]

Modern constellations

The 88 constellations depict 42 animals, 29 inanimate objects, and 17 humans or mythological characters.

Abbreviations

Each IAU constellation has an official three-letter abbreviation based on the genitive form of the constellation name. As the genitive is similar to the base name, the majority of the abbreviations are just the first three letters of the constellation name: Ori for Orion/Orionis, Ara for Ara/Arae, and Com for Coma Berenices/Comae Berenices. In some cases, the abbreviation contains letters from the genitive not appearing in the base name (as in Hyi for Hydrus/Hydri, to avoid confusion with Hydra, abbreviated Hya; and Sge for Sagitta/Sagittae, to avoid confusion with Sagittarius, abbreviated Sgr). Some abbreviations use letters beyond the initial three to unambiguously identify the constellation (for example when the name and its genitive differ in the first three letters): Aps for Apus/Apodis, CrA for Corona Australis, CrB for Corona Borealis, Crv for Corvus. (Crater is abbreviated Crt to prevent confusion with CrA.) When letters are taken from the second word of a two-word name, the first letter from the second word is capitalised: CMa for Canis Major, CMi for Canis Minor. Two cases are ambiguous: Leo for the constellation Leo could be mistaken for Leo Minor (abbreviated LMi), and Tri for Triangulum could be mistaken for Triangulum Australe (abbreviated TrA).[6]

In addition to the three-letter abbreviations used today, the IAU also introduced four-letter abbreviations in 1932. The four-letter abbreviations were repealed in 1955 and are now obsolete, but were included in the NASA Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use (NASA SP-7) published in 1965.[7] These are labeled "NASA" in the table below and are included here for reference only.

List

For help with the literary English pronunciations, see the pronunciation key. There is considerable diversity in how Latinate names are pronounced in English. For traditions closer to the original, see Latin spelling and pronunciation. Template:Table alignmentTemplate:Sort under

Constellation Abbreviations Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star
IAUTemplate:Wbr[8] NASATemplate:Wbr[9] Name Vis. mag.
AndromedaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] And Andr Andromedae ancient (Ptolemy) Andromeda (The chained maiden or princess) Alpheratz 2.06
AntliaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Ant Antl Antliae 1756, Lacaille air pump α Antliae 4.25
ApusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Aps Apus ApodisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de HoutmanTemplate:Efn Bird-of-paradise/Template:WbrExotic Bird/Template:WbrExtraordinary Bird α Apodis 3.83
AquariusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Aqr Aqar Aquarii ancient (Ptolemy) water-bearer Sadalsuud 2.87
Aquila Script error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Aql Aqil Aquilae ancient (Ptolemy) eagle Altair 0.76
AraScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Ara Arae AraeScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) altar β Arae 2.84
AriesScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10][11] Ari Arie ArietisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) ram Hamal 2.00
AurigaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10][11] Aur Auri AurigaeScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) charioteer Capella 0.08
BoötesScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Boo Boot Boötis ancient (Ptolemy) herdsman Arcturus -0.05
CaelumScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Cae Cael CaeliScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] 1756, Lacaille chisel or engraving tool α Caeli 4.46
CamelopardalisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-enTemplate:Wbr[11] Cam Caml CamelopardalisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-enTemplate:Wbr[11] 1613, PlanciusTemplate:Efn giraffe [[Beta Camelopardalis|β Template:Shy]] 4.02
Cancer Script error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Cnc Canc Cancri ancient (Ptolemy) crab β Cancri 3.52
Canes VenaticiScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] CVn CVen Canum Venaticorum 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius hunting dogs Cor Caroli 2.81
Canis MajorScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] CMa CMaj Canis Majoris ancient (Ptolemy) greater dog Sirius -1.46
Canis MinorScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] CMi CMin Canis Minoris ancient (Ptolemy) lesser dog Procyon 0.34
CapricornusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Cap Capr CapricorniScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) sea goat Deneb Algedi 2.83
CarinaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Car Cari Carinae ancient (Ptolemy); 1756, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis keel Canopus -0.74
CassiopeiaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10][11] Cas Cass CassiopeiaeScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) Cassiopeia (mythological character) Schedar 2.24
CentaurusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Cen Cent Centauri ancient (Ptolemy) centaur Alpha Centauri -0.27
CepheusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Cep Ceph CepheiScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) Cepheus (mythological character) Alderamin 2.46
CetusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Cet Ceti CetiScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) sea monster (later interpreted as a whale) Diphda 2.02
ChamaeleonScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Cha Cham Chamaeleontis 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de HoutmanTemplate:Efn chameleon [[Alpha Chamaeleontis|α Template:Shy]] 4.06
CircinusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Cir Circ Circini 1756, Lacaille compasses α Circini 3.19
ColumbaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Col Colm Columbae 1592, Plancius,Template:Efn split from Canis Major dove Phact 2.65
Coma BerenicesScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Com Coma Comae BerenicesScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy); 1536, Caspar Vopel,[12] split from Leo Berenice's hair β Comae Berenices 4.26
Corona AustralisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10][11] CrA CorA Coronae Australis ancient (Ptolemy) southern crown α Coronae Australis 4.10
Corona BorealisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10][11] CrB CorB Coronae Borealis ancient (Ptolemy) northern crown Alphecca 2.24
CorvusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Crv Corv Corvi ancient (Ptolemy) crow Gienah 2.59
CraterScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Crt Crat Crateris ancient (Ptolemy) cup δ Crateris 3.56
CruxScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Cru Cruc Crucis 1589, Plancius, split from Centaurus southern cross Acrux 0.76
CygnusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Cyg Cygn Cygni ancient (Ptolemy) swan or Northern Cross Deneb 1.25
DelphinusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Del Dlph Delphini ancient (Ptolemy) dolphin β Delphini 3.62
DoradoScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[13] Dor Dora Doradus 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de HoutmanTemplate:Efn dolphinfish α Doradus 3.28
DracoScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Dra Drac DraconisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) dragon Eltanin 2.23
EquuleusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Equ Equl EquuleiScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) pony α Equulei 3.92
EridanusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Eri Erid EridaniScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) river Eridanus (mythology) Achernar 0.46
FornaxScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en For Forn Fornacis 1756, Lacaille chemical furnace α Fornacis 3.85
GeminiScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Gem Gemi Geminorum ancient (Ptolemy) twins Pollux 1.14
GrusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Gru Grus GruisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de HoutmanTemplate:Efn crane Alnair 1.74
HerculesScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Her Herc Herculis ancient (Ptolemy) Hercules (mythological character) [[β Herculis|Template:Shy]] 2.81
HorologiumScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10][11] Hor Horo Horologii 1756, Lacaille pendulum clock α Horologii 3.85
HydraScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Hya Hyda Hydrae ancient (Ptolemy) Hydra (mythological creature) Alphard 2.00
HydrusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Hyi Hydi Hydri 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de HoutmanTemplate:Efn lesser water snake β Hydri 2.80
IndusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Ind Indi Indi 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de HoutmanTemplate:Efn Indian (of unspecified type) α Indi 3.11
LacertaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Lac Lacr Lacertae 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius lizard α Lacertae 3.76
LeoScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Leo Leon Leonis ancient (Ptolemy) lion Regulus 1.35
Leo MinorScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] LMi LMin Leonis Minoris 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius lesser lion 46 Leonis Minoris 3.83
LepusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Lep Leps LeporisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10][11] ancient (Ptolemy) hare Arneb 2.59
LibraScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Lib Libr Librae ancient (Ptolemy) balance [[Beta Librae|Template:Shy]] 2.61
LupusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Lup Lupi Lupi ancient (Ptolemy) wolf α Lupi 2.30
LynxScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Lyn Lync Lyncis 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius lynx α Lyncis 3.14
LyraScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Lyr Lyra Lyrae ancient (Ptolemy) lyre / harp Vega 0.02
MensaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Men Mens Mensae 1756, Lacaille, as Mons Mensæ Table Mountain (South Africa) α Mensae 5.09
MicroscopiumScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en Mic Micr Microscopii 1756, Lacaille microscope γ Microscopii 4.68
MonocerosScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10][11] Mon Mono Monocerotis 1613, PlanciusTemplate:Efn unicorn β Monocerotis 3.74
MuscaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Mus Musc MuscaeScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10][11] 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de HoutmanTemplate:Efn fly α Muscae 2.69
NormaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Nor Norm NormaeScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] 1756, Lacaille carpenter's level γ2 Normae 4.02
OctansScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Oct Octn OctantisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] 1756, Lacaille octant (instrument) ν Octantis 3.73
OphiuchusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Oph Ophi Ophiuchi ancient (Ptolemy) serpent-bearer Rasalhague 2.07
OrionScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Ori Orio OrionisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) Orion (mythological character) Rigel 0.13
PavoScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10][11] Pav Pavo PavonisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de HoutmanTemplate:Efn peacock Peacock 1.94
PegasusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Peg Pegs Pegasi ancient (Ptolemy) Pegasus (mythological winged horse) Enif 2.40
PerseusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Per Pers PerseiScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) Perseus (mythological character) Mirfak 1.82
PhoenixScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Phe Phoe PhoenicisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de HoutmanTemplate:Efn phoenix Ankaa 2.38
PictorScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Pic Pict PictorisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] 1756, Lacaille, as Equuleus Pictoris easel α Pictoris 3.27
PiscesScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10][11] Psc Pisc PisciumScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy) fishes Alpherg 3.61
Piscis AustrinusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en PsA PscA Piscis Austrini ancient (Ptolemy) southern fish Fomalhaut 1.16
PuppisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Pup Pupp PuppisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] ancient (Ptolemy); 1756, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis poop deck Naos 2.25
PyxisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Pyx Pyxi Pyxidis 1756, Lacaille mariner's compass α Pyxidis 3.67
ReticulumScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Ret Reti Reticuli 1756, Lacaille eyepiece graticule α Reticuli 3.32
SagittaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Sge Sgte Sagittae ancient (Ptolemy) arrow γ Sagittae 3.47
SagittariusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Sgr Sgtr Sagittarii ancient (Ptolemy) archer Kaus Australis 1.85
ScorpiusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Sco Scor Scorpii ancient (Ptolemy) scorpion Antares 0.91
SculptorScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Scl Scul Sculptoris 1756, Lacaille sculptor α Sculptoris 4.30
ScutumScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Sct Scut Scuti 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius shield (of Sobieski) α Scuti 3.83
Serpens[14]Script error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en Ser Serp Serpentis ancient (Ptolemy) snake Unukalhai 2.62
SextansScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Sex Sext SextantisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius sextant α Sextantis 4.49
TaurusScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Tau Taur Tauri ancient (Ptolemy) bull Aldebaran 0.86
TelescopiumScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en Tel Tele Telescopii 1756, Lacaille telescope α Telescopii 3.51
TriangulumScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en Tri Tria Trianguli ancient (Ptolemy) triangle β Trianguli 3.00
Triangulum AustraleScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en TrA TrAu Trianguli Australis 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de HoutmanTemplate:Efn southern triangle Atria 1.91
TucanaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en Tuc Tucn Tucanae 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de HoutmanTemplate:Efn toucan α Tucanae 2.86
Ursa MajorScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] UMa UMaj Ursae Majoris ancient (Ptolemy) great bear Alioth 1.77
Ursa MinorScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] UMi UMin Ursae Minoris ancient (Ptolemy) lesser bear Polaris 1.98
VelaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Vel Velr VelorumScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en ancient (Ptolemy); 1756, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis sails γ Velorum 1.83
VirgoScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Vir Virg Virginis ancient (Ptolemy) virgin or maiden Spica 0.97
VolansScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] Vol Voln VolantisScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[11] 1598, Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman,Template:Efn as Piscis Volans flying fish γ2 Volantis 3.75
VulpeculaScript error: No such module "string".Template:IPAc-en[10] Vul Vulp Vulpeculae 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius, as Vulpecula cum Ansere fox α Vulpeculae 4.40

Asterisms

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Various other unofficial patterns exist alongside the constellations. These are known as "asterisms". Some are part of one larger constellation while others consists of stars in two adjoining constellations. Examples include the Big Dipper/Plough in Ursa Major; the Teapot in Sagittarius; the Square of Pegasus in Pegasus and Andromeda; and the False Cross in Carina and Vela.

See also

Notes

Template:Notelist


References

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  1. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Paul Stroobant, "(3) Commission des notations, des unités et de l'économie des publications", in: F.J.M. Stratton (ed.), Transactions of the International Astronomical Union: Vol. III. Third General Assembly held at Leiden, July 5 to July 13, 1928 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1929), pp. 17, 223 & 299.
  3. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Paul Stroobant, "Meetings of Standing Committees: (3) Notations", in: A. Fowler (ed.), Transactions of the International Astronomical Union: Vol. I. First General Assembly held at Rome, May 2nd to May 10th, 1922 (London: Imperial College Bookstall, 1922), pp. 158 & 207.
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ NASA Dictionary of terms for Aerospace Use – table V, Constellations
  10. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf OED, 2nd edition
  11. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg Random House Dictionary
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Serpens may be divided into Serpens Cauda (serpent's tail) and Serpens Caput (serpent's head), but these disjoint areas are considered part of the same constellation by the IAU.

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External links

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