Editing IAU designated constellations

{{Short description|Constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}

[[File:Constellations, equirectangular plot.svg|thumb|500px|right|IAU designated constellations in equirectangular projection (epoch [[Epoch (astronomy)#Besselian years|B1875.0]])]]

In contemporary [[astronomy]], 88 [[constellations]] are recognized by the [[International Astronomical Union]] (IAU).<ref name="international astronomical union">{{cite web |url=https://www.iau.org/public/themes/constellations/ |title=The Constellations |publisher=[[International Astronomical Union]] |access-date=26 July 2019 |archive-date=16 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216152749/https://www.iau.org/public/themes/constellations/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 and published in 1930.<ref name="international astronomical union-1930">{{cite book|author1=Eugène Delporte|author2=International Astronomical Union|title=Délimitation scientifique des constellations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v3XvAAAAMAAJ|year=1930|publisher=At the University press}}</ref>

The ancient [[Mesopotamian]]s and later the [[Greek astronomy|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 Navis|Argo]].  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.<ref name="international astronomical union" /><ref name="international astronomical union-1930" /> When astronomers say that an object lies in a particular constellation, they mean that it is positioned within these specified boundaries.

== History ==
{{Main|History of the constellations|Former constellations}}
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 constellation|Carina]], [[Puppis]], and [[Vela constellation|Vela]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/argo.html |title=Argo Navis |publisher=Ian Ridpath’s Star Tales |access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref>

== 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'').<ref>{{cite journal|bibcode=1922PA.....30..469R|title=The New International Symbols for the Constellations|journal=Popular Astronomy|volume=30|pages=469|last1=Russell|first1=Henry Norris|year=1922}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ianridpath.com/constellations1.html |title=Constellations |publisher=[[Ian Ridpath]] |access-date=30 January 2023 |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716100455/http://www.ianridpath.com/constellations1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 [[Help:IPA for English|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]].

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan=2 | Constellation
! colspan=2 | Abbreviations
! rowspan=2 | Genitive
! rowspan=2 | Origin
! rowspan=2 | Meaning
! colspan="2" | Brightest star
|-
! IAU<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iau.org/public/themes/constellations/ |title=The Constellations |publisher=[[International Astronomical Union]] |access-date=9 December 2015 |archive-date=16 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216152749/https://www.iau.org/public/themes/constellations/ |url-status=live }}</ref> !! NASA<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20061012073641/http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/hqlibrary/aerospacedictionary/aerodictall/tables/table5.html NASA Dictionary of terms for Aerospace Use – table V, Constellations]</ref>
!Name
![[Apparent magnitude|Vis. mag.]]
|-
| [[Andromeda (constellation)|Andromeda]]<br />{{IPAc-en|æ|n|ˈ|d|r|ɒ|m|ᵻ|d|ə}}<ref name="oed">[[OED]], 2nd edition</ref> || And || Andr || Andromedae || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Andromeda (mythology)|Andromeda]] (The chained maiden or princess) || [[Alpheratz]]
|2.06
|-
| [[Antlia]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|n|t|l|i|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Ant || Antl || Antliae || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || [[air pump]] || [[Alpha Antliae|α Antliae]]
|4.25
|-
| [[Apus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|eɪ|p|ə|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary">Random House Dictionary</ref> || Aps || Apus || Apodis <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|p|oʊ|d|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]] || [[Bird-of-paradise]]/Exotic Bird/Extraordinary Bird || [[Alpha Apodis|α Apodis]]
|3.83
|-
| [[Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|k|w|ɛər|i|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Aqr || Aqar || Aquarii || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || water-bearer || [[Beta Aquarii|Sadalsuud]]
|2.87
|-
| [[Aquila (constellation)|Aquila]]  <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|k|w|ᵻ|l|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Aql || Aqil || Aquilae || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[eagle]] || [[Altair]]
|0.76
|-
| [[Ara (constellation)|Ara]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛər|ə}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Ara || Arae || Arae <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛər|iː|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[altar]] || [[Beta Arae|β Arae]]
|2.84
|-
| [[Aries (constellation)|Aries]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛər|(|i|)|iː|z}}<ref name="oed" /><ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Ari || Arie || Arietis <br />{{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|r|aɪ|.|ᵻ|t|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Ovis|ram]] || [[Hamal]]
|2.00
|-
| [[Auriga (constellation)|Auriga]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ɔː|ˈ|r|aɪ|ɡ|ə}}<ref name="oed" /><ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Aur || Auri || Aurigae <br />{{IPAc-en|ɔː|ˈ|r|aɪ|dʒ|iː|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || charioteer || [[Capella]]
|0.08
|-
| [[Boötes]] <br />{{IPAc-en|b|oʊ|ˈ|oʊ|t|iː|z}}<ref name="oed" /> || Boo || Boot || Boötis || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[herder|herdsman]] || [[Arcturus]]
| -0.05
|-
| [[Caelum]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|l|ə|m|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Cae || Cael || Caeli <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|l|aɪ|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || [[chisel]] or engraving tool || [[Alpha Caeli|α Caeli]]
|4.46
|-
| [[Camelopardalis]] <br />{{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˌ|m|ɛ|l|oʊ|ˈ|p|ɑːr|d|əl|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Cam || Caml || Camelopardalis <br />{{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˌ|m|ɛ|l|oʊ|ˈ|p|ɑːr|d|əl|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || 1613, [[Petrus Plancius|Plancius]]{{NoteTag|The constellations [[Camelopardalis]], [[Columba (constellation)|Columba]], and [[Monoceros]], formed by [[Petrus Plancius]] in 1592 and in 1613, are often erroneously attributed to [[Jacob Bartsch]] and [[Augustin Royer]].}} || giraffe || [[Beta Camelopardalis|β Camelopardalis]]
|4.02
|-
| [[Cancer (constellation)|Cancer]]  <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|æ|n|s|ər|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Cnc || Canc || Cancri || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || crab || [[Beta Cancri|β Cancri]]
|3.52
|-
| [[Canes Venatici]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|eɪ|n|iː|z|_|v|ᵻ|ˈ|n|æ|t|ᵻ|s|aɪ}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || CVn || CVen || Canum Venaticorum || 1690, ''Firmamentum Sobiescianum'', [[Hevelius]] || [[hunting dogs]] || [[Cor Caroli]]
|2.81
|-
| [[Canis Major]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|eɪ|n|ᵻ|s|_|ˈ|m|eɪ|dʒ|ər|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || CMa || CMaj || Canis Majoris || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || greater dog || [[Sirius]]
| -1.46
|-
| [[Canis Minor]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|eɪ|n|ᵻ|s|_|ˈ|m|aɪ|n|ər|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || CMi || CMin || Canis Minoris || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || lesser dog || [[Procyon]]
|0.34
|-
| [[Capricornus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|æ|p|r|ᵻ|ˈ|k|ɔːr|n|ə|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Cap || Capr || Capricorni <br />{{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|æ|p|r|ᵻ|ˈ|k|ɔːr|n|aɪ|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || sea goat || [[Delta Capricorni|Deneb Algedi]]
|2.83
|-
| [[Carina (constellation)|Carina]] <br />{{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|r|aɪ|n|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Car || Cari || Carinae || 1763, [[Lacaille]], split from [[Argo Navis]] || [[keel]] || [[Canopus]]
| -0.74
|-
| [[Cassiopeia (constellation)|Cassiopeia]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|æ|s|i|oʊ|ˈ|p|iː|ə}}<ref name="oed" /><ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Cas || Cass || Cassiopeiae <br />{{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|æ|s|i|oʊ|ˈ|p|iː|iː|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Cassiopeia (Queen of Aethiopia)|Cassiopeia]] (mythological character) || [[Alpha Cassiopeiae|Schedar]]
|2.24
|-
| [[Centaurus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|s|ɛ|n|ˈ|t|ɔːr|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Cen || Cent || Centauri || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[centaur]] || [[Alpha Centauri]]
| -0.27
|-
| [[Cepheus (constellation)|Cepheus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|f|i|ə|s}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Cep || Ceph || Cephei <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|f|i|aɪ|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Cepheus, King of Aethiopia|Cepheus]] (mythological character) || [[α Cephei|Alderamin]]
|2.46
|-
| [[Cetus]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|t|ə|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Cet || Ceti || Ceti <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|t|aɪ|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[sea monster]] (later interpreted as a whale) || [[Beta Ceti|Diphda]]
|2.02
|-
| [[Chamaeleon]] <br />{{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|m|iː|l|i|ə|n|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Cha || Cham || Chamaeleontis || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]] || [[chameleon]] || [[Alpha Chamaeleontis|α Chamaeleontis]]
|4.06
|-
| [[Circinus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɜːr|s|ᵻ|n|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Cir || Circ || Circini || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || [[compasses]] || [[Alpha Circini|α Circini]]
|3.19
|-
| [[Columba (constellation)|Columba]]<br />{{IPAc-en|k|oʊ|ˈ|l|ʌ|m|b|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Col || Colm || Columbae || 1592, [[Petrus Plancius|Plancius]], split from [[Canis Major]] || [[dove]] || [[Alpha Columbae|Phact]]
|2.65
|-
| [[Coma Berenices]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|oʊ|m|ə|_|b|ɛr|ə|ˈ|n|aɪ|s|iː|z}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Com || Coma || Comae Berenices <br />{{nowrap|{{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|oʊ|m|iː|_|b|ɛr|ə|ˈ|n|aɪ|s|iː|z}}<ref name="random house dictionary" />}} || 1536, Caspar Vopel,<ref>{{cite web|title=Comae Berenices|url=http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/comaberenices.html|access-date=23 November 2020|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124053041/http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/comaberenices.html|url-status=live}}</ref> split from Leo || [[Berenice II|Berenice]]'s hair || [[Beta Comae Berenices|β Comae Berenices]]
|4.26
|-
| [[Corona Australis]] <br />{{nowrap|{{IPAc-en|k|oʊ|ˈ|r|oʊ|n|ə|_|ɔː|ˈ|s|t|r|æ|l|ᵻ|s|,_|-|ˈ|s|t|r|eɪ|-}}<ref name="oed" /><ref name="random house dictionary" />}} || CrA || CorA || Coronae Australis || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || southern [[crown]] || [[Alpha Coronae Australis|α Coronae Australis]]
|4.10
|-
| [[Corona Borealis]] <br />{{nowrap|{{IPAc-en|k|oʊ-|ˈ|r|oʊ|n|ə|_|ˌ|b|ɔər|i|ˈ|æ|l|ᵻ|s|,_|-|ˈ|eɪ|l|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="oed" /><ref name="random house dictionary" />}} || CrB || CorB || Coronae Borealis || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || northern crown || [[Alpha Coronae Borealis|Alphecca]]
|2.24
|-
| [[Corvus (constellation)|Corvus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɔːr|v|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Crv || Corv || Corvi || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[crow]] || [[Gamma Corvi|Gienah]]
|2.59
|-
| [[Crater (constellation)|Crater]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|r|eɪ|t|ər|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Crt || Crat || Crateris || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[cup]] || [[Delta Crateris|δ Crateris]]
|3.56
|-
| [[Crux]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|r|ʌ|k|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Cru || Cruc || Crucis || 1589, ''[[Petrus Plancius|Plancius]]'', split from Centaurus || southern [[cross]] || [[Acrux]]
|0.76
|-
| [[Cygnus (constellation)|Cygnus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɪ|ɡ|n|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Cyg || Cygn || Cygni || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[swan]] or Northern Cross || [[Deneb]]
|1.25
|-
| [[Delphinus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|d|ɛ|l|ˈ|f|aɪ|n|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Del || Dlph || Delphini || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || dolphin || [[Beta Delphini|β Delphini]]
|3.62
|-
| [[Dorado]] <br />{{IPAc-en|d|ə|ˈ|r|ɑː|d|oʊ}}<ref>{{cite web |title = Definition of dorado |url = http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/dorado |work = [[Collins English Dictionary]] |access-date = 28 November 2012 |archive-date = 28 November 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121128141841/http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/dorado |url-status = live }}</ref> || Dor || Dora || Doradus || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]] || [[dolphinfish]] || [[Alpha Doradus|α Doradus]]
|3.28
|-
| [[Draco (constellation)|Draco]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|r|eɪ|k|oʊ|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Dra || Drac || Draconis <br />{{IPAc-en|d|r|ə|ˈ|k|oʊ|n|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[dragon]] || [[Gamma Draconis|Eltanin]]
|2.23
|-
| [[Equuleus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ᵻ|ˈ|k|w|uː|l|i|ə|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Equ || Equl || Equulei <br />{{IPAc-en|ᵻ|ˈ|k|w|uː|l|i|aɪ|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[pony]] || [[Alpha Equulei|α Equulei]]
|3.92
|-
| [[Eridanus (constellation)|Eridanus]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ᵻ|ˈ|r|ɪ|d|ən|ə|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Eri || Erid || Eridani <br />{{IPAc-en|ᵻ|ˈ|r|ɪ|d|ən|aɪ|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || river [[Eridanos (mythology)|Eridanus]] (mythology) || [[Achernar]]
|0.46
|-
| [[Fornax]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|ɔːr|n|æ|k|s|}} || For || Forn || Fornacis || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || chemical furnace || [[Alpha Fornacis|α Fornacis]]
|3.85
|-
| [[Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|dʒ|ɛ|m|ᵻ|n|aɪ|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Gem || Gemi || Geminorum || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || twins || [[Pollux (star)|Pollux]]
|1.14
|-
| [[Grus (constellation)|Grus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɡ|r|ʌ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Gru || Grus || Gruis <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɡ|r|uː|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]] || [[Crane (bird)|crane]] || [[Alpha Gruis|Alnair]]
|1.74
|-
| [[Hercules (constellation)|Hercules]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|ɜːr|k|j|ʊ|l|iː|z}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Her || Herc || Herculis || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Hercules]] (mythological character) || [[β Herculis|Kornephoros]]
|2.81
|-
| [[Horologium (constellation)|Horologium]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˌ|h|ɒr|ə|ˈ|l|ɒ|dʒ|i|ə|m|,_|-|ˈ|l|oʊ|-}}<ref name="oed" /><ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Hor || Horo || Horologii || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || [[pendulum clock]] || [[Alpha Horologii|α Horologii]]
|3.85
|-
| [[Hydra (constellation)|Hydra]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|aɪ|d|r|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Hya || Hyda || Hydrae || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Lernaean Hydra|Hydra]] (mythological creature) || [[Alphard]]
|2.00
|-
| [[Hydrus]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|aɪ|d|r|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Hyi || Hydi || Hydri || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]] || lesser [[water snake (disambiguation)|water snake]] || [[Beta Hydri|β Hydri]]
|2.80
|-
| [[Indus (constellation)|Indus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɪ|n|d|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Ind || Indi || Indi || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]] || [[Indian (disambiguation)|Indian]] (of unspecified type) || [[Alpha Indi|α Indi]]
|3.11
|-
| [[Lacerta]]<br />{{IPAc-en|l|ə|ˈ|s|ɜːr|t|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Lac || Lacr || Lacertae || 1690, ''Firmamentum Sobiescianum'', [[Hevelius]] || lizard || [[Alpha Lacertae|α Lacertae]]
|3.76
|-
| [[Leo (constellation)|Leo]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|iː|oʊ|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Leo || Leon || Leonis || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || lion || [[Regulus]]
|1.35
|-
| [[Leo Minor]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|iː|oʊ|_|ˈ|m|aɪ|n|ər|}}<ref name="oed" /> || LMi || LMin || Leonis Minoris || 1690, ''Firmamentum Sobiescianum'', [[Hevelius]] || lesser lion || [[46 Leonis Minoris]]
|3.83
|-
| [[Lepus (constellation)|Lepus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|iː|p|ə|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Lep || Leps || Leporis <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ɛ|p|ər|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="oed" /><ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[hare]] || [[Alpha Leporis|Arneb]]
|2.59
|-
| [[Libra (constellation)|Libra]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|aɪ|b|r|ə|,_|ˈ|l|iː|-}}<ref name="oed" /> || Lib || Libr || Librae || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[weighing scale|balance]] || [[Beta Librae|Zubeneschemali]]
|2.61
|-
| [[Lupus (constellation)|Lupus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|lj|uː|p|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Lup || Lupi || Lupi || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[wolf]] || [[α Lupi]]
|2.30
|-
| [[Lynx (constellation)|Lynx]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ɪ|ŋ|k|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Lyn || Lync || Lyncis || 1690, ''Firmamentum Sobiescianum'', [[Hevelius]] || [[lynx]] || [[Alpha Lyncis|α Lyncis]]
|3.14
|-
| [[Lyra]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|aɪ|r|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Lyr || Lyra || Lyrae || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[lyre]] / [[harp]] || [[Vega]]
|0.02
|-
| [[Mensa (constellation)|Mensa]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɛ|n|s|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Men || Mens || Mensae || 1763, [[Lacaille]], as ''Mons Mensæ'' || [[Table Mountain]] (South Africa) || [[Alpha Mensae|α Mensae]]
|5.09
|-
| [[Microscopium]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˌ|m|aɪ|k|r|oʊ-|ˈ|s|k|ɒ|p|i|ə|m|}} || Mic || Micr || Microscopii || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || [[microscope]] || [[Gamma Microscopii|γ Microscopii]]
|4.68
|-
| [[Monoceros]]<br />{{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|n|ɒ|s|ᵻ|r|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /><ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Mon || Mono || Monocerotis || 1613, [[Petrus Plancius|Plancius]] || [[unicorn]] || [[Beta Monocerotis|β Monocerotis]]
|3.74
|-
| [[Musca]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ʌ|s|k|ə}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Mus || Musc || Muscae <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ʌ|s|iː|}}<ref name="oed" /><ref name="random house dictionary" /> || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]] || [[fly]] || [[Alpha Muscae|α Muscae]]
|2.69
|-
| [[Norma (constellation)|Norma]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ɔːr|m|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Nor || Norm || Normae<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ɔːr|m|iː|}}<ref name="oed" /> || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || carpenter's [[spirit level|level]] || [[Gamma2 Normae|γ<sup>2</sup> Normae]]
|4.02
|-
| [[Octans]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɒ|k|t|æ|n|z}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Oct || Octn || Octantis<br />{{IPAc-en|ɒ|k|ˈ|t|æ|n|t|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || [[octant (instrument)]] || [[Nu Octantis|ν Octantis]]
|3.73
|-
| [[Ophiuchus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɒ|f|i|ˈ|juː|k|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Oph || Ophi || Ophiuchi || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Snake|serpent]]-bearer || [[Alpha Ophiuchi|Rasalhague]]
|2.07
|-
| [[Orion (constellation)|Orion]] <br />{{IPAc-en|oʊ-|ˈ|r|aɪ|ə|n|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Ori || Orio || Orionis <br />{{nowrap|{{IPAc-en|oʊ-|ˈ|r|aɪ|ə|n|ᵻ|s|,_|ˌ|ɒr|i|ˈ|oʊ|n|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" />}} ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Orion (mythology)|Orion]] (mythological character) || [[Rigel]]
|0.13
|-
| [[Pavo (constellation)|Pavo]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|eɪ|v|oʊ|}}<ref name="oed" /><ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Pav || Pavo || Pavonis <br />{{IPAc-en|p|ə|ˈ|v|oʊ|n|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]] || [[peacock]] || [[Alpha Pavonis|Peacock]]
|1.94
|-
| [[Pegasus (constellation)|Pegasus]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ɛ|ɡ|ə|s|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Peg || Pegs || Pegasi || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Pegasus]] (mythological winged horse) || [[Epsilon Pegasi|Enif]]
|2.40
|-
| [[Perseus (constellation)|Perseus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ɜːr|s|i|ə|s}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Per || Pers || Persei <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ɜːr|s|i|aɪ|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Perseus]] (mythological character) || [[Alpha Persei|Mirfak]]
|1.82
|-
| [[Phoenix (constellation)|Phoenix]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|iː|n|ᵻ|k|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Phe || Phoe || Phoenicis<br />{{IPAc-en|f|ᵻ|ˈ|n|aɪ|s|ᵻ|s|}} || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]] || [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]] || [[Alpha Phoenicis|Ankaa]]
|2.38
|-
| [[Pictor]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ɪ|k|t|ər|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Pic || Pict || Pictoris <br />{{IPAc-en|p|ɪ|k|ˈ|t|ɔər|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || 1763, [[Lacaille]], as ''Equuleus Pictoris'' || [[easel]] || [[Alpha Pictoris|α Pictoris]]
|3.27
|-
| [[Pisces (constellation)|Pisces]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|aɪ|s|iː|z|,_|ˈ|p|ɪ|-}}<ref name="oed" /><ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Psc || Pisc || Piscium <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ɪ|ʃ|i|ə|m|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> ||data-sort-value="0"| ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || fishes || [[Eta Piscium|Alpherg]]
|3.61
|-
| [[Piscis Austrinus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|aɪ|s|ᵻ|s|_|ɔː|ˈ|s|t|r|aɪ|n|ə|s|}} || PsA || PscA || Piscis Austrini || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || southern fish || [[Fomalhaut]]
|1.16
|-
| [[Puppis]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ʌ|p|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Pup || Pupp || Puppis <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ʌ|p|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || 1763, [[Lacaille]], split from [[Argo Navis]] || [[poop deck]] || [[Zeta Puppis|Naos]]
|2.25
|-
| [[Pyxis]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ɪ|k|s|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Pyx || Pyxi || Pyxidis || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || [[mariner's compass]] || [[Alpha Pyxidis|α Pyxidis]]
|3.67
|-
| [[Reticulum]] <br />{{IPAc-en|r|ɪ|ˈ|t|ɪ|k|j|ʊ|l|ə|m|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Ret || Reti || Reticuli || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || [[Reticle|eyepiece graticule]] || [[Alpha Reticuli|α Reticuli]]
|3.32
|-
| [[Sagitta]]<br />{{IPAc-en|s|ə|ˈ|dʒ|ɪ|t|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Sge || Sgte || Sagittae || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[arrow]] || [[Gamma Sagittae|γ Sagittae]]
|3.47
|-
| [[Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarius]]<br />{{IPAc-en|s|æ|dʒ|ᵻ|ˈ|t|ɛər|i|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Sgr || Sgtr || Sagittarii || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Archery|archer]] || [[Epsilon Sagittarii|Kaus Australis]]
|1.85
|-
| [[Scorpius]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|k|ɔːr|p|i|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Sco || Scor || Scorpii || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[scorpion]] || [[Antares]]
|0.91
|-
| [[Sculptor (constellation)|Sculptor]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|k|ʌ|l|p|t|ər|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Scl || Scul || Sculptoris || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || sculptor || [[Alpha Sculptoris|α Sculptoris]]
|4.30
|-
| [[Scutum (constellation)|Scutum]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|k|juː|t|əm|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Sct || Scut || Scuti || 1690, ''Firmamentum Sobiescianum'', [[Hevelius]] || shield (of [[John III Sobieski|Sobieski]]) || [[Alpha Scuti|α Scuti]]
|3.83
|-
| [[Serpens]]<ref>[[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.</ref><br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɜːr|p|ɛ|n|z}} || Ser || Serp || Serpentis || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || snake || [[Alpha Serpentis|Unukalhai]]
|2.62
|-
| [[Sextans]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɛ|k|s|t|ən|z}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Sex || Sext || Sextantis <br />{{IPAc-en|s|ɛ|k|s|ˈ|t|æ|n|t|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || 1690, ''Firmamentum Sobiescianum'', [[Hevelius]] || [[sextant]] || [[Alpha Sextantis|α Sextantis]]
|4.49
|-
| [[Taurus (constellation)|Taurus]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|ɔːr|ə|s|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Tau || Taur || Tauri || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[Cattle|bull]] || [[Aldebaran]]
|0.86
|-
| [[Telescopium]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˌ|t|ɛ|l|ᵻ|ˈ|s|k|ɒ|p|i|ə|m|}} || Tel || Tele || Telescopii || 1763, [[Lacaille]] || [[telescope]] || [[Alpha Telescopii|α Telescopii]]
|3.51
|-
| [[Triangulum]]<br />{{IPAc-en|t|r|aɪ|ˈ|æ|ŋ|ɡ|j|ʊ|l|ə|m}} || Tri || Tria || Trianguli || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[triangle]] || [[Beta Trianguli|β Trianguli]]
|3.00
|-
| [[Triangulum Australe]]<br />{{IPAc-en|t|r|aɪ|ˈ|æ|ŋ|ɡ|j|ʊ|l|ə|m|_|ɔː|ˈ|s|t|r|æ|l|iː|,_|-|ˈ|s|t|r|eɪ|-}} || TrA || TrAu || Trianguli Australis || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]] || southern triangle || [[Alpha Trianguli Australis|Atria]]
|1.91
|-
| [[Tucana]] <br />{{IPAc-en|tj|uː|ˈ|k|eɪ|n|ə}} || Tuc || Tucn || Tucanae || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]] || [[toucan]] || [[Alpha Tucanae|α Tucanae]]
|2.86
|-
| [[Ursa Major]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɜːr|s|ə|_|ˈ|m|eɪ|dʒ|ər|}}<ref name="oed" /> || UMa || UMaj || Ursae Majoris || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || great bear || [[Alioth]]
|1.77
|-
| [[Ursa Minor]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɜːr|s|ə|_|ˈ|m|aɪ|n|ər|}}<ref name="oed" /> || UMi || UMin || Ursae Minoris || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || lesser bear || [[Polaris]]
|1.98
|-
| [[Vela (constellation)|Vela]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|v|iː|l|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Vel || Velr || Velorum<br />{{IPAc-en|v|ɪ|ˈ|l|oʊ|r|ə|m|}} || 1763, [[Lacaille]], split from [[Argo Navis]] || [[sails]] || [[Gamma Velorum|γ Velorum]]
|1.83
|-
| [[Virgo (constellation)|Virgo]] <br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|v|ɜːr|ɡ|oʊ|}}<ref name="oed" /> || Vir || Virg || Virginis || data-sort-value="0" | ancient ([[Ptolemy]]) || [[virgin]] or maiden || [[Spica]]
|0.97
|-
| [[Volans]]<br />{{IPAc-en|ˈ|v|oʊ|l|æ|n|z}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || Vol || Voln || Volantis<br />{{IPAc-en|v|oʊ-|ˈ|l|æ|n|t|ᵻ|s|}}<ref name="random house dictionary" /> || 1603, ''[[Uranometria]]'', created by [[Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser|Keyser]] and [[Frederick de Houtman|de Houtman]], as ''Piscis Volans'' || [[flying fish]] || [[Gamma Volantis|γ<sup>2</sup> Volantis]]
|3.75
|-
| [[Vulpecula]]<br />{{IPAc-en|v|ʌ|l|ˈ|p|ɛ|k|j|ʊ|l|ə}}<ref name="oed" /> || Vul || Vulp || Vulpeculae ||1690, ''Firmamentum Sobiescianum'', [[Hevelius]], as  ''Vulpecula cum Ansere'' || fox || [[Alpha Vulpeculae|α Vulpeculae]]
|4.40
|}

== Asterisms ==
{{Main|Asterism (astronomy)}}
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 (constellation)|Sagittarius]]; the Square of Pegasus in [[Pegasus]] and [[Andromeda (constellation)|Andromeda]]; and the False Cross in [[Carina (constellation)|Carina]] and [[Vela (constellation)|Vela]].

== See also ==
* [[Lists of astronomical objects]]
* [[List of constellations by area]]
* [[Biblical names of stars]]
* [[Lists of stars by constellation]]
* [[Constellation family]]
* [[Galactic quadrant]]

== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.ianridpath.com/constellations1.html The Constellations 1] – [[Ian Ridpath]]'s list of constellations.
* [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/contents.html Ian Ridpath's Star Tales: Constellation Mythology and History] – [[Ian Ridpath]]'s ''Star Tales''.
* [http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/Cat?cat=VI/49 VizieR] – [[Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg|CDS]]'s archive of constellation boundaries.  The text file constbnd.dat gives the 1875.0 coordinates of the vertices of the constellation regions, together with the constellations adjacent to each boundary segment.

{{navconstel}}
{{ConstellationsListedByPtolemy}}
{{ConstellationsByHevelius}}
{{ConstellationsByLacaille}}
{{Portal bar|Astronomy|Stars|Outer space}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Constellations}}
[[Category:Constellations|*]]
[[Category:Lists of constellations|*]]
[[Category:IAU constellations]]