⭐ Constellations by Origin ⭐

A journey through the 88 celestial patterns that map our night sky

88
Modern Constellations
48
Ancient Greek (Ptolemy)
12
Zodiac Signs
40
Modern Era (1600s-1900s)
♈

The Zodiac

12 constellations along the ecliptic, known since ancient Babylon (~1000 BCE)

12
Aries
Κριός (Krios)
The Ram
Golden Fleece
Taurus
Ταῦρος (Tauros)
The Bull
Zeus & Europa
Gemini
Δίδυμοι (Didymoi)
The Twins
Castor & Pollux
Cancer
Καρκίνος (Karkinos)
The Crab
Heracles' Labors
Leo
Λέων (Leon)
The Lion
Nemean Lion
Virgo
Παρθένος (Parthenos)
The Virgin
Demeter / Astraea
Libra
Χηλαί (Chelae) - The Claws
The Scales
Originally Scorpius' Claws
Scorpius
Σκορπίος (Skorpios)
The Scorpion
Killed Orion
Sagittarius
Τοξότης (Toxotes)
The Archer
Chiron the Centaur
Capricornus
Αἰγόκερως (Aigokeros)
The Sea-Goat
Pan
Aquarius
Ὑδροχόος (Hydrokhoos)
The Water-Bearer
Ganymede
Pisces
Ἰχθύες (Ikhthyes)
The Fishes
Aphrodite & Eros
🏛️

Ancient Greek Constellations

36 non-zodiac constellations from Ptolemy's Almagest (150 CE) - steeped in Greek mythology

36
Andromeda
Ἀνδρομέδα
Princess of Ethiopia
Chained Princess, saved by Perseus
Aquila
Ἀετός (Aetos)
The Eagle
Zeus' Eagle, carried Ganymede
Ara
Θυμιατήριον (Thymiatērion)
The Altar
Altar of the Gods
Argo Navis
Ἀργώ (Argo)
The Ship Argo
Jason & the Argonauts (Now: Carina, Puppis, Vela)
Auriga
Ἡνίοχος (Heniokhos)
The Charioteer
Erichthonius of Athens
Boötes
Βοώτης (Bootes)
The Herdsman
Icarius or Arcas
Canis Major
Κύων (Kyon - The Dog)
The Greater Dog
Orion's hunting dog Sirius
Canis Minor
Προκύων (Prokyon)
The Lesser Dog
Orion's second dog
Cassiopeia
Κασσιέπεια (Kassiopeia)
Queen of Ethiopia
Andromeda's vain mother
Centaurus
Κένταυρος (Kentauros)
The Centaur
Chiron the wise centaur
Cepheus
Κηφεύς (Kepheus)
King of Ethiopia
Andromeda's father
Cetus
Κῆτος (Ketos)
The Sea Monster (Whale)
Monster sent to devour Andromeda
Corona Australis
Στέφανος νότιος (Stephanos notios)
The Southern Crown
Crown of Sagittarius
Corona Borealis
Στέφανος (Stephanos)
The Northern Crown
Ariadne's crown
Corvus
Κόραξ (Korax)
The Crow/Raven
Apollo's messenger bird
Crater
Κρατήρ (Krater)
The Cup
Apollo's cup
Cygnus
Ὄρνις (Ornis - Bird)
The Swan
Zeus disguised as swan (Leda)
Delphinus
Δελφίν (Delphin)
The Dolphin
Poseidon's messenger
Draco
Δράκων (Drakon)
The Dragon
Ladon, guardian of golden apples
Equuleus
Ἵππου προτομή (Hippou protome)
The Little Horse
Brother of Pegasus
Eridanus
Ποταμός (Potamos - River)
The River
River where Phaethon fell
Hercules
Ἐνγόνασι (Engonasi - Kneeler)
The Hero (Kneeling Man)
Heracles, strongest hero
Hydra
Ὕδρος (Hydros)
The Water Snake
Lernaean Hydra (Heracles' labor)
Lepus
Λαγωός (Lagoos)
The Hare
Hunted by Orion
Lupus
Θηρίον (Therion - Wild Beast)
The Wolf
Beast impaled by Centaurus
Lyra
Λύρα (Lyra)
The Lyre
Orpheus' lyre
Ophiuchus
Ὀφιοῦχος (Ophioukhos)
The Serpent-Bearer
Asclepius, god of medicine
Orion
Ὠρίων (Orion)
The Hunter
Greatest hunter, killed by scorpion
Pegasus
Ἵππος (Hippos - The Horse)
The Winged Horse
Born from Medusa's blood
Perseus
Περσεύς (Perseus)
The Hero
Slayer of Medusa, saved Andromeda
Piscis Austrinus
Ἰχθύς νότιος (Ikhthys notios)
The Southern Fish
Parent of zodiac Pisces
Sagitta
Ὀιστός (Oistos)
The Arrow
Arrow of Apollo or Cupid
Serpens
Ὄφις (Ophis)
The Serpent
Snake held by Ophiuchus
Triangulum
Τρίγωνον (Trigonon)
The Triangle
Sicily (delta shape)
Ursa Major
Ἄρκτος μεγάλη (Arktos megale)
The Great Bear
Callisto transformed by Zeus
Ursa Minor
Ἄρκτος μικρά (Arktos mikra)
The Little Bear
Arcas, son of Callisto
🔭

Modern Era Constellations

40 constellations added 1600s-1900s by European astronomers exploring southern skies

40
Antlia
The Air Pump
Lacaille, 1756 - Scientific instrument
Apus
The Bird of Paradise
Plancius, 1598 - Exotic bird
Caelum
The Chisel
Lacaille, 1756 - Engraving tool
Camelopardalis
The Giraffe
Plancius, 1612 - Exotic animal
Canes Venatici
The Hunting Dogs
Hevelius, 1687 - Boötes' dogs
Carina
The Keel (of Argo)
Lacaille, 1763 - Part of Argo Navis
Chamaeleon
The Chameleon
Plancius, 1598 - Exotic reptile
Circinus
The Compass (drafting)
Lacaille, 1756 - Drawing tool
Columba
The Dove
Plancius, 1592 - Noah's dove
Coma Berenices
Berenice's Hair
Brahe, 1602 - Queen Berenice II
Crux
The Southern Cross
Royer, 1679 - Navigation cross
Dorado
The Dolphinfish
Plancius, 1598 - Tropical fish
Fornax
The Furnace
Lacaille, 1756 - Chemical furnace
Grus
The Crane (bird)
Plancius, 1598 - Wading bird
Horologium
The Pendulum Clock
Lacaille, 1756 - Honoring Huygens
Hydrus
The Male Water Snake
Plancius, 1598 - Sea serpent
Indus
The Indian
Plancius, 1598 - Indigenous person
Lacerta
The Lizard
Hevelius, 1687 - Small reptile
Leo Minor
The Little Lion
Hevelius, 1687 - Smaller lion
Lynx
The Lynx
Hevelius, 1687 - Keen-eyed cat
Mensa
The Table Mountain
Lacaille, 1756 - Table Mountain, S. Africa
Microscopium
The Microscope
Lacaille, 1756 - Scientific instrument
Monoceros
The Unicorn
Plancius, 1612 - Mythical beast
Musca
The Fly
Plancius, 1598 - Insect
Norma
The Carpenter's Square
Lacaille, 1756 - Drafting tool
Octans
The Octant
Lacaille, 1756 - Navigation instrument
Pavo
The Peacock
Plancius, 1598 - Exotic bird
Phoenix
The Phoenix
Plancius, 1598 - Mythical bird
Pictor
The Painter's Easel
Lacaille, 1756 - Artist's tool
Puppis
The Stern (of Argo)
Lacaille, 1763 - Part of Argo Navis
Pyxis
The Compass (nautical)
Lacaille, 1756 - Ship's compass
Reticulum
The Reticle (crosshairs)
Lacaille, 1756 - Telescope tool
Sculptor
The Sculptor's Studio
Lacaille, 1756 - Artist's workshop
Scutum
The Shield
Hevelius, 1684 - Sobieski's shield
Sextans
The Sextant
Hevelius, 1687 - Navigation tool
Telescopium
The Telescope
Lacaille, 1756 - Astronomy tool
Triangulum Australe
The Southern Triangle
Plancius, 1589 - Geometric shape
Tucana
The Toucan
Plancius, 1598 - Tropical bird
Vela
The Sails (of Argo)
Lacaille, 1763 - Part of Argo Navis
Volans
The Flying Fish
Plancius, 1598 - Tropical fish
Vulpecula
The Fox
Hevelius, 1687 - Small predator
🪐

The Planets

Eight worlds orbiting our Sun, named after Roman gods

8
☿ Mercury
Mercurius
Messenger of the Gods
0.39 AU • Fastest orbit: 88 days
♀ Venus
Venus
Goddess of Love & Beauty
0.72 AU • Hottest planet: 464°C
🌍 Earth
Terra
The Ground / Soil
1 AU • Only planet with life (so far!)
♂ Mars
Mars
God of War
1.52 AU • The Red Planet • 2 moons
♃ Jupiter
Iuppiter
King of the Gods
5.2 AU • Largest planet • 95+ moons
♄ Saturn
Saturnus
God of Agriculture & Time
9.5 AU • Spectacular rings • 146+ moons
♅ Uranus
Uranus
God of the Sky
19.2 AU • Tilted 98° • Ice giant
♆ Neptune
Neptūnus
God of the Sea
30.1 AU • Windiest planet • 14 moons
🔭 Fun Facts:
  • The ancients knew 5 planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) - visible to the naked eye
  • Uranus (1781) and Neptune (1846) were discovered with telescopes
  • Pluto was considered the 9th planet from 1930-2006, now classified as a "dwarf planet"
  • All planets except Earth are named after Roman gods (Earth comes from Old English "eorþe")
  • The word "planet" comes from Greek πλανήτης (planētēs) meaning "wanderer"