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.

Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

1. Andromeda Andromedae Andromeda (The chained maiden or

And Andr ancient (Ptolemy) Alpheratz
/ænˈdrɒmɪdə/[4] /ænˈdrɒmɪdiː/ princess)

Antlia Antliae
Ant Antl 1763, Lacaille air pump α Antliae
/ˈæntliə/[4] /ˈæntliiː/

Apus Apodis 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de Bird-of-paradise/Exotic

Aps Apus α Apodis
/ˈeɪpəs/[5] /ˈæpoʊdɪs/[5] Houtman Bird/Extraordinary Bird

2. Aquarius Aquarii
Aqr Aqar ancient (Ptolemy) water-bearer Sadalsuud
/əˈkwɛəriəs/[4] /əˈkwɛəriaɪ/

Aquila Aquilae
Aql Aqil ancient (Ptolemy) eagle Altair
/ˈækwɪlə/[4] /ˈækwɪliː/

Ara Arae
Ara Arae ancient (Ptolemy) altar β Arae
/ˈɛərə/[5] /ˈɛəriː/[5]
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

3. Aries Arietis
Ari Arie ancient (Ptolemy) ram Hamal
/ˈɛər(i)iːz/[4][5] /əˈraɪ.ɪtɪs/[5]

Auriga Aurigae
Aur Auri ancient (Ptolemy) charioteer Capella
/ɔːˈraɪɡə/[4][5] /ɔːˈraɪdʒiː/[5]

Boötes Boötis
Boo Boot ancient (Ptolemy) herdsman Arcturus
/boʊˈoʊtiːz/[4] /boʊˈoʊtɪs/

Caelum Caeli
Cae Cael 1763, Lacaille chisel or graving tool α Caeli
/ˈsiːləm/[5] /ˈsiːlaɪ/[5]

Camelopardalis Camelopardalis
Cam Caml 1613, Plancius[6] giraffe β Camelopardalis
/kəˌmɛloʊˈpɑːrdəlɪs/[5] /kəˌmɛloʊˈpɑːrdəlɪs/[5]

4. Cancer Cancri
Cnc Canc ancient (Ptolemy) crab Tarf
/ˈkænsər/[4] /ˈkæŋkraɪ/

CVn CVen 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius hunting dogs Cor Caroli
Canes Venatici Canum Venaticorum
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

/ˈkeɪniːz vɪˈnætɪsaɪ/[5] /ˈkeɪnəm vɪnætɪˈkɒrəm/

5. Canis Major Canis Majoris

CMa CMaj ancient (Ptolemy) greater dog Sirius
/ˈkeɪnɪs ˈmeɪdʒər/[5] /ˈkeɪnɪs məˈdʒɒrɪs/

6. Canis Minor Canis Minoris

CMi CMin ancient (Ptolemy) lesser dog Procyon
/ˈkeɪnɪs ˈmaɪnər/[5] /ˈkeɪnɪs mɪˈnɒrɪs/

7. Capricornus Capricorni
Cap Capr ancient (Ptolemy) sea goat Deneb Algedi
/ˌkæprɪˈkɔːrnəs/[5] /ˌkæprɪˈkɔːrnaɪ/[5]

Carina Carinae
Car Cari 1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis keel Canopus
/kəˈraɪnə/[4] /kəˈraɪniː/

8. Cassiopeia Cassiopeiae
Cas Cass ancient (Ptolemy) Cassiopeia (mythological character) Shedir
/ˌkæsioʊˈpiːə/[4][5] /ˌkæsioʊˈpiːiː/[5]

9. Centaurus Centauri
Cen Cent ancient (Ptolemy) centaur Alpha Centauri
/sɛnˈtɔːrəs/[4] /sɛnˈtɔːraɪ/
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

10. Cepheus Cephei

Cep Ceph ancient (Ptolemy) Cepheus (mythological character) Alderamin
/ˈsiːfiəs, -fjuːs/[5] /ˈsiːfiaɪ/[5]

Cetus Ceti sea monster (later interpreted as

Cet Ceti ancient (Ptolemy) Deneb Kaitos
/ˈsiːtəs/[5] /ˈsiːtaɪ/[5] a whale)

Chamaeleon Chamaeleontis 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de

Cha Cham chameleon α Chamaeleontis
/kəˈmiːliən/[4] /kəˌmiːliˈɒntɪs/ Houtman

Circinus Circini
Cir Circ 1763, Lacaille compasses α Circini
/ˈsɜːrsɪnəs/[4] /ˈsɜːrsɪnaɪ/

44. Columba Columbae

Col Colm 1592, Plancius, split from Canis Major dove Phact
/koʊˈlʌmbə/[4] /koʊˈlʌmbiː/

Coma Berenices Comae Berenices β Comae

Com Coma 1603, Uranometria, split from Leo Berenice's hair
/ˈkoʊmə bɛrəˈnaɪsiːz/[5] /ˈkoʊmiː bɛrəˈnaɪsiːz/[5] Berenices

Corona Australis[7] CrA CorA ancient (Ptolemy) southern crown

Coronae Australis Alphekka
/koʊˈroʊnə ɔːˈstrælɪs, -ˈstreɪ-
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

/[4][5] /koʊˈroʊniː ɔːˈstrælɪs/ Meridiana

Corona Borealis
Coronae Borealis
/koʊˈroʊnə ˌbɔːriˈælɪs, - CrB CorB ancient (Ptolemy) northern crown Alphecca
/koʊˈroʊniː bɔːriˈælɪs/
ˈeɪlɪs/[4][5]

Corvus Corvi
Crv Corv ancient (Ptolemy) crow Gienah
/ˈkɔːrvəs/[4] /ˈkɔːrvaɪ/

Crater Crateris
Crt Crat ancient (Ptolemy) cup Labrum
/ˈkreɪtər/[4] /krəˈtɪərɪs/

11. Crux Crucis

Cru Cruc 1603, Uranometria, split from Centaurus southern cross Acrux
/ˈkrʌks/[4] /ˈkruːsɪs/

12. Cygnus Cygni

Cyg Cygn ancient (Ptolemy) swan or Northern Cross Deneb
/ˈsɪɡnəs/[4] /ˈsɪɡnaɪ/

13. Delphinus Delphini

Del Dlph ancient (Ptolemy) dolphin Rotanev
/dɛlˈfaɪnəs/[4] /dɛlˈfaɪnaɪ/
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

14. Dorado Doradus 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de

Dor Dora dolphinfish α Doradus
/dəˈrɑːdoʊ/[8] /dəˈreɪdəs/ Houtman

15. Draco Draconis

Dra Drac ancient (Ptolemy) dragon Etamin
/ˈdreɪkoʊ/[5] /drəˈkoʊnɪs/[5]

Equuleus Equulei
Equ Equl ancient (Ptolemy) pony Kitalpha
/ɪˈkwuːliəs/[5] /ɪˈkwuːliaɪ/[5]

Eridanus Eridani
Eri Erid ancient (Ptolemy) river Eridanus (mythology) Achernar
/ɪˈrɪdənəs/[5] /ɪˈrɪdənaɪ/[5]

Fornax Fornacis
For Forn 1763, Lacaille chemical furnace Fornacis
/ˈfɔːrnæks/ /fɔːrˈneɪsɪs/

16. Gemini Geminorum

Gem Gemi ancient (Ptolemy) twins Pollux
/ˈdʒɛmɪnaɪ/[4] /ˌdʒɛmɪˈnɒrəm/

Gru Grus Crane Alnair

Grus Gruis 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

/ˈɡrʌs/[5] /ˈɡruːɪs/[5] Houtman

17. Hercules Herculis

Her Herc ancient (Ptolemy) Hercules (mythological character) Kornephoros
/ˈhɜːrkjʊliːz/[5] /ˈhɜːrkjʊlɪs/

Horologium Horologii
Hor Horo 1763, Lacaille pendulum clock α Horologii
/ˌhɒrəˈlɒdʒiəm, -ˈloʊ-/[4][5] /ˌhɒrəˈloʊdʒiaɪ/

18. Hydra Hydrae

Hya Hyda ancient (Ptolemy) Hydra (mythological creature) Alphard
/ˈhaɪdrə/[4] /ˈhaɪdriː/

Hydrus Hydri 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de

Hyi Hydi lesser water snake β Hydri
/ˈhaɪdrəs/[4] /ˈhaɪdraɪ/ Houtman

Indus Indi 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de

Ind Indi Indian (of unspecified type) The Persian
/ˈɪndəs/[4] /ˈɪndaɪ/ Houtman

Lacerta Lacertae
Lac Lacr 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius lizard α Lacertae
/ləˈsɜːrtə/[4] /ləˈsɜːrtiː/
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

19. Leo Leonis

Leo Leon ancient (Ptolemy) lion Regulus
/ˈliːoʊ/[4] /liːˈoʊnɪs/

Leo Minor Leonis Minoris

LMi LMin 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius lesser lion Praecipua
/ˈliːoʊ ˈmaɪnər/[4] /liːˈoʊnɪs mɪˈnɒrɪs/

Lepus Leporis
Lep Leps ancient (Ptolemy) hare Arneb
/ˈliːpəs/[5] /ˈlɛpərɪs/[4][5]

20. Libra Librae

Lib Libr ancient (Ptolemy) balance Zubeneshamali
/ˈlaɪbrə, ˈliː-/[4] /ˈlaɪbriː/

Lupus Lupi
Lup Lupi ancient (Ptolemy) wolf Men
/ˈljuːpəs/[4] /ˈljuːpaɪ/

Lynx Lyncis
Lyn Lync 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius lynx Elvashak
/ˈlɪŋks/[4] /ˈlɪnsɪs/

Lyr Lyra ancient (Ptolemy) lyre / harp Vega

21. Lyra Lyrae
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

/ˈlaɪrə/[4] /ˈlaɪriː/

Mensa Mensae
Men Mens 1763, Lacaille Table Mountain (South Africa) α Mensae
/ˈmɛnsə/[4] /ˈmɛnsiː/

Microscopium Microscopii
Mic Micr 1763, Lacaille microscope γ Microscopii
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈskoʊpiəm/ /ˌmaɪkroʊˈskoʊpiaɪ/

22. Monoceros Monocerotis

Mon Mono 1613, Plancius unicorn β Monocerotis
/məˈnɒsɪrəs/[4][5] /ˌmɒnəsɪˈroʊtɪs/

Musca Muscae 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de

Mus Musc fly α Muscae
/ˈmʌskə/[5] /ˈmʌsiː/[4][5] Houtman

Norma Normae
Nor Norm 1763, Lacaille carpenter's level γ2 Normae
/ˈnɔːrmə/[4] /ˈnɔːrmiː/[4]

Octans Octantis
Oct Octn 1763, Lacaille octant (instrument) ν Oct
/ˈɒktænz/[5] /ɒkˈtæntɪs/[5]
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

23. Ophiuchus Ophiuchi

Oph Ophi ancient (Ptolemy) serpent-bearer Rasalhague
/ˌɒfiˈjuːkəs/[4] /ˌɒfiˈjuːkaɪ/

24. Orion Orionis

Ori Orio ancient (Ptolemy) Orion (mythological character) Rigel
/oʊˈraɪən/[4] /oʊˈraɪənɪs, ˌɒriˈoʊnɪs/[5]

25. Pavo Pavonis 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de

Pav Pavo peacock Peacock
/ˈpeɪvoʊ/[4][5] /pəˈvoʊnɪs/[5] Houtman

26. Pegasus Pegasi

Peg Pegs ancient (Ptolemy) Pegasus (mythological winged horse) Enif
/ˈpɛɡəsəs/[4] /ˈpɛɡəsaɪ/

27. Perseus Persei

Per Pers ancient (Ptolemy) Perseus (mythological character) Mirfak
/ˈpɜːrsiəs, -sjuːs/[5] /ˈpɜːrsiaɪ/[5]

28. Phoenix Phoenicis 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de

Phe Phoe phoenix Ankaa
/ˈfiːnɪks/[4] /fɪˈnaɪsɪs/ Houtman

Pic Pict 1763, Lacaille easel α Pictoris

Pictor Pictoris
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

/ˈpɪktər/[5] /pɪkˈtɔːrɪs/[5]

29. Pisces Piscium

Psc Pisc ancient (Ptolemy) fishes Alpherg
/ˈpaɪsiːz, ˈpɪ-/[4][5] /ˈpɪʃiəm/[5]

Piscis Austrinus Piscis Austrini

PsA PscA ancient (Ptolemy) southern fish Fomalhaut
/ˈpaɪsɪs ɔːˈstraɪnəs/ /ˈpaɪsɪs ɔːˈstraɪnaɪ/

30. Puppis Puppis

Pup Pupp 1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis poop deck Naos
/ˈpʌpɪs/[5] /ˈpʌpɪs/[5]

31. Pyxis Pyxidis

Pyx Pyxi 1763, Lacaille mariner's compass α Pyxidis
/ˈpɪksɪs/[4] /ˈpɪksɪdɪs/

32. Reticulum Reticuli

Ret Reti 1763, Lacaille eyepiece graticule α Reticuli
/rɪˈtɪkjʊləm/[4] /rɪˈtɪkjʊlaɪ/

33. Sagitta Sagittae

Sge Sgte ancient (Ptolemy) arrow γ Sagittae
/səˈdʒɪtə/[4] /səˈdʒɪtiː/
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

34. Sagittarius Sagittarii

Sgr Sgtr ancient (Ptolemy) archer Kaus Australis
/sædʒɪˈtɛəriəs/[4] /ˌsædʒəˈtɛəriaɪ/

35. Scorpius Scorpii

Sco Scor ancient (Ptolemy) scorpion Antares
/ˈskɔːrpiəs/[4] /ˈskɔːrpiaɪ/

Sculptor Sculptoris
Scl Scul 1763, Lacaille sculptor α Sculptoris
/ˈskʌlptər/[4] /skəlpˈtɒrɪs/

Scutum Scuti
Sct Scut 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius shield (of Sobieski) α Scuti
/ˈskjuːtəm/[4] /ˈskjuːtaɪ/

36. Serpens[9] Serpentis

Ser Serp ancient (Ptolemy) snake Unukalhai
/ˈsɜːrpɛnz/ /sərˈpɛntɪs/

Sextans Sextantis
Sex Sext 1690, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, Hevelius sextant α Sextantis
/ˈsɛkstənz/[5] /sɛksˈtæntɪs/[5]

Tau Taur ancient (Ptolemy) bull Aldebaran

37. Taurus Tauri
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

/ˈtɔːrəs/[4] /ˈtɔːraɪ/

Telescopium Telescopii
Tel Tele 1763, Lacaille telescope α Telescopii
/ˌtɛlɪˈskɒpiəm/ /ˌtɛlɪˈskɒpiaɪ/

38. Triangulum Trianguli

Tri Tria ancient (Ptolemy) triangle β Trianguli
/traɪˈæŋɡjʊləm/ /traɪˈæŋɡjʊlaɪ/

Triangulum Australe
Trianguli Australis 1603 Uranometria, created by Keyser and de
/traɪˈæŋɡjʊləm ɔːˈstræliː, - TrA TrAu southern triangle Atria
/traɪˈæŋɡjʊlaɪ ɔːˈstrælɪs/ Houtman
ˈstreɪ-/

39. Tucana Tucanae 1603 Uranometria, created by Keyser and de

Tuc Tucn toucan α Tucanae
/tjuːˈkeɪnə/ /tjuːˈkeɪniː/ Houtman

40. Ursa Major Ursae Majoris

UMa UMaj ancient (Ptolemy) great bear Alioth
/ˌɜːrsə ˈmeɪdʒər/[4] /ˌɜːrsiː məˈdʒɒrɪs/

41. Ursa Minor Ursae Minoris

UMi UMin ancient (Ptolemy) lesser bear Polaris
/ˌɜːrsə ˈmaɪnər/[4] /ˌɜːrsiː mɪˈnɒrɪs/
 Abbreviations

Constellation Genitive Origin Meaning Brightest star

IAU [
Other [
1] 3]

42. Vela Velorum

Vel Velr 1763, Lacaille, split from Argo Navis sails Regor
/ˈviːlə/[4] /vɪˈlɔːrəm/

43. Virgo Virginis

Vir Virg ancient (Ptolemy) virgin or maiden Spica
/ˈvɜːrɡoʊ/[4] /ˈvɜːrdʒɪnɪs/

Volans Volantis 1603, Uranometria, created by Keyser and de

Vol Voln flying fish β Volantis
/ˈvoʊlænz/[5] /voʊˈlæntɪs/[5] Houtman

Vulpecula
/vʌlˈpɛkjʊlə/[4]

Contents
[hide]

 1History and mythology

o 1.1Depictions
o 1.2In Eastern astronomy
 2Features
o 2.1Stars
o 2.2Planetary systems
o 2.3Deep sky objects
 o 2.4Meteor showers
 3Astrology
 4Notes
 5References
 6External links