List of 88 Constellations
PublishedNumber of Constellations
In order to create some sort of structure in the skies, in the early 1920's the International Astronomical Union decided upon 88 constellations that would be officially recognized by all astronomers. The breakdown consists of 17 human or mythological characters, 29 inanimate objects and 42 animals. An official name was given, as well a three letter abbreviation that corresponds to the actual name. So for example, there is AQR for Aquarius the Zodiac sign or CHA for Chameleon the animal.
Constellations of the Northern Hemisphere
| LATIN | ENGLISH | SIZE IN SQUARE DEGREES | VISIBILITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andromeda | Andromeda | 722 | All year |
| Aries | Ram | 441 | Autumn |
| Auriga | Charioteer | 657 | Winter |
| Bootes | Herdsman | 907 | Spring |
| Camelopardalis | Giraffe | 757 | All year |
| Cancer | Crab | 506 | Winter, Spring |
| Canes Venatici | Hunting Dogs | 465 | Winter, Spring |
| Cassiopeia | Cassiopeia | 598 | Autumn |
| Cepheus | Cepheus | 588 | Autumn |
| Coma Berenices | Berenice's Hair | 386 | Spring |
| Corona Borealis | Northern Crown | 179 | Spring |
| Cygnus | Swan | 804 | Summer, Autumn |
| Delphinus | Dolphin | 189 | Autumn |
| Draco | Dragon | 1.083 | Winter |
| Equuleus | Colt | 72 | Autumn |
| Gemini | Twins | 514 | Winter, Spring |
| Hercules | Hercules | 1.225 | Summer |
| Lacerta | Lizard | 201 | Autumn |
| Leo Minor | Little Lion | 232 | Winter, Spring |
| Lynx | Lynx | 545 | Autumn |
| Lyra | Lyre | 286 | Summer, Autumn |
| Pegasus | Pegasus | 1.121 | Autumn |
| Perseus | Perseus | 615 | Winter, Spring |
| Sagitta | Arrow | 80 | Summer |
| Triangulum | Triangle | 132 | Autumn |
| Ursa Major | Great Bear | 1.280 | All year |
| Ursa Minor | Little Bear | 256 | All year |
| Vulpecula | Little Fox | 269 | Summer |
Constellations of the Southern Hemisphere
| LATIN | ENGLISH | SIZE IN SQUARE DEGREES | VISIBILITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antlia | Air Pump | 239 | Spring |
| Apus | Bird of Paradise | 206 | Summer |
| Ara | Altar | 237 | Summer |
| Caelum | Graving Tool | 125 | Winter |
| Canis Major | Great Dog | 380 | Winter |
| Capricornus | Capricorn | 414 | All year |
| Carina | Keel | 494 | All year |
| Centaurus | Centaur | 1.060 | All year |
| Chamaeleon | Chamaeleon | 132 | Summer |
| Circinus | Compasses | 93 | Summer |
| Columba | Dove | 270 | Winter |
| Corona Australis | Southern Crown | 128 | Summer |
| Corvus | Crow | 184 | Spring |
| Crater | Cup | 282 | Spring |
| Crux | Southern Cross | 68 | All year |
| Doradus | Swordfish | 179 | Winter |
| Fornax | Furnance | 398 | Autumn, Winter |
| Grus | Crane | 366 | Autumn |
| Horologium | Clock | 249 | Winter |
| Hydrus | Hydrus | 243 | Winter |
| Indus | Indian | 294 | Autumn |
| Lepus | Hare | 290 | Winter |
| Libra | Libra | 538 | All year |
| Lupus | Wolf | 334 | Summer |
| Mensa | Mensa | 153 | Winter |
| Microscopium | Microscope | 210 | Summer |
| Musca | Fly | 138 | Spring, Summer |
| Norma | Level | 165 | Summer |
| Octans | Octant | 291 | Autumn |
| Pavo | Peacock | 378 | Summer, Autumn |
| Phoenix | Phoenix | 469 | Winter |
| Pictor | Painter | 247 | Winter |
| Piscis Austrinus | Southern Fish | 245 | Summer |
| Puppis | Stern | 673 | Winter |
| Pyxis | Compass | 221 | Winter |
| Reticulum | Net | 114 | Winter |
| Sagittarius | Archer | 867 | Summer |
| Scorpius | Scorpion | 497 | All year |
| Sculptor | Sculptor | 475 | Autumn, Winter |
| Scutum | Shield | 109 | Summer |
| Telescopium | Telescope | 252 | Summer |
| Triangulum Australe | Southern Triangle | 110 | Summer |
| Tucana | Toucan | 295 | Winter |
| Vela | Sails | 500 | Spring |
| Volans | Flying Fish | 141 | Spring |
Constellations of Both Hemispheres
| LATIN | ENGLISH | SIZE IN SQUARE DEGREES | VISIBILITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquarius | Aquarius | 980 | Autumn |
| Aquila | Eagle | 652 | Summer, Autumn |
| Canis Minor | Little Dog | 183 | Winter, Spring |
| Cetus | Whale | 1.231 | Autumn |
| Eridanus | Eridanus | 1.138 | Winter |
| Hydra | Sea Serpent | 1.303 | Spring, Summer |
| Leo | Lion | 947 | Spring |
| Monoceros | Unicorn | 482 | Winter |
| Ophiuchus | Ophiuchus | 948 | Spring |
| Orion | Orion | 594 | Winter |
| Pisces | Fishes | 889 | Autumn |
| Serpens | Serpent | 637 | Summer |
| Sextans | Sextant | 314 | Spring |
| Taurus | Bull | 797 | Winter |
| Virgo | Virgin | 1.294 | Autumn |