TABLE: The Constellations
The Latin names and meanings of the official 88
constellations are given below. The original 48
constellations of Ptolemy are indicated with an
asterisk *. Ptolemy's constellation Argo the Boat
was later divided into three parts (Carina,
Puppis, and Vela, which are noted).
| Latin Name | Meaning
|
|---|
| Andromeda | Daughter of Cassiopeia
|
| Antlia | The Air Pump
|
| Apus | Bird of Paradise
|
| Aquarius | The Water-Bearer
|
| Aquila | The Eagle
|
| Ara * | The Altar
|
| Aries | The Ram
|
| Auriga | The Charioteer
|
| Boötes | The Herdsman
|
| Caelum | The Chisel
|
| Camelopardalis | The Giraffe
|
| Cancer * | The Crab
|
| Canes Venatici | The Hunting Dogs
|
| Canis Major * | The Big Dog
|
| Canis Minor * | The Little Dog
|
| Capricornus * | The Goat
|
| Carina * | The Keel (of Argo)
|
| Cassiopeia | The Queen
|
| Centaurus | The Centaur
|
| Cepheus | The King
|
| Cetus * | The Whale
|
| Chamaeleon | The Chameleon
|
| Circinus | The Compasses
|
| Columba | The Dove
|
| Coma Berenices | Berenice's Hair
|
| Corona Australis | The Southern Crown
|
| Corona Borealis | The Northern Crown
|
| Corvus | The Crow
|
| Crater | The Cup
|
| Crux | The Cross
|
| Cygnus * | The Swan
|
| Delphinus | The Dolphin
|
| Dorado | The Swordfish
|
| Draco | The Dragon
|
| Equuleus | The Little Horse
|
| Eridanus | The River
|
| Fornax | The Furnace
|
| Gemini | The Twins
|
| Grus | The Crane (bird)
|
| Hercules | The Son of Zeus
|
| Horologium | The Clock
|
| Hydra | The Water Snake (female)
|
| Hydrus | The Water Snake (male)
|
| Indus | The Indian (American)
|
| Lacerta | The Lizard
|
| Leo * | The Lion
|
| Leo Minor | The Little Lion
|
| Lepus | The Hare
|
| Libra | The Balance
|
| Lupus | The Wolf
|
| Lynx | The Lynx
|
| Lyra | The Lyre
|
| Mensa | The Table
|
| Microscopium | The Microscope
|
| Monoceros | The Unicorn
|
| Musca | The Fly
|
| Norma | The Square
|
| Octans | The Octant
|
| Ophiuchus | The Serpent-Bearer
|
| Orion | The Hunter
|
| Pavo | The Peacock
|
| Pegasus | The Winged Horse
|
| Perseus | Rescuer of Andromeda
|
| Phoenix | The Phoenix
|
| Pictor | The Painter
|
| Pisces | The Fishes
|
| Piscis Austrinus | The Southern Fish
|
| Puppis | The Stern (of Argo)
|
| Pyxis | The Compass
|
| Reticulum | The Reticle
|
| Sagitta * | The Arrow
|
| Sagittarius | The Archer
|
| Scorpius | The Scorpion
|
| Sculptor | The Sculptor
|
| Scutum | The Shield
|
| Serpens | The Serpent
|
| Sextans | The Sextant
|
| Taurus | The Bull
|
| Telescopium | The Telescope
|
| Triangulum * | The Triangle
|
| Triangulum Australe | The Southern Triangle
|
| Tucana | The Toucan
|
| Ursa Major * | The Great Bear
|
| Ursa Minor * | The Little Bear
|
| Vela | The Sails (of Argo)
|
| Virgo | The Maiden
|
| Volans | The Flying Fish
|
| Vulpecula | The Fox
|