Star Gazer’s Guide

Star Gazer’s Guide

Stars and Constellations

The Explosion that created the Universe gave birth to trillions of stars, but only 5,000 are visible to the naked eye.

Since only half the sky can be seen at any one time, that means only 2,500 stars will be in your field of vision on the next clear night. Constellations are groups of stars whose patterns remind stargazers of familiar shapes.

Le Soleil couchant. Photo by Elena

Today, astronomers recognize 88 such patterns. Their names and meanings :

Andromeda – Chained Maiden

Antila – Air Pump

Apus – Bird of Paradise

Aquarius – Water Bearer

Aquila – Eagle

Ara – Altar

Aries – Ram

Auriga - Charioteer

Bootes – Herdsman

Caelum – Chisel

Camelopardalis – Giraffe

Cancer – Crab Canes

Venatici – Hunting Dogs

Canis Major – Great Dog

Canis Minor – Little Dog

Capricornius – Sea-goat

Carina – Keel

Cassiopeia – Queen

Centaurus – Centaur

Cepheus – King

Cetus – Whale

Chamaeleon – Chameleon

Circinus – Compasses (art)

Columba – Dove

Coma Berences – Bernice’s Hair

Corona Australis – Southern Crown

Corona Borealis – Northern Crown

Corvus – Crow

Crater – Cup

Crux – Cross (Southern)

Cygnus – Swan

Delphinus – Dolphin

Dorado – Goldfish

Draco – Dragon

Equuieus – Little Horse

Eridanus – River

Fomax – Furnace

Gemini – Twins

Grus – Crane (bird)

Hercules – Hercules

Horologium – Clock

Hydra – Water Snake (female)

Hydrus – Water Snake (male)

Indus – Indian

Lacerta – Lizard

Leo – Lion

Leo Minor – Little Lion

Lepus – Hare

Libra – Balance

Lupus – Wolf

Lynx – Lynx

Lyra – Lyre

Mensa – Table Mountain

Microscopium – Microscope

Monoceros – Unicorn

Musca – Fly

Norma – Square (rule)

Octans – Octant

Ophiuchus – Serpent Bearer

Orion – Hunter

Pavo – Peacock

Pegasus – Flying Horse

Perseus – Hero

Phoenix – Phoenix

Pictor – Painter

Pisces – Fishes

Piscis Austrinius – Southern Fish

Puppis – Stern (deck)

Pyxis – Compass (sea)

Reticulum – Reticle

Sagitta – Arrow

Saggitarius – Archer

Scorpius – Scorpion

Sculptor – Sculptor

Scutum – Shield

Serpens – Serpent

Sextans – Sextants

Taurus – Bull

Telescopium – Telescope

Triangulum – Triangle

Triangulum Australe – Southern Triangle

Tucana – Toucan

Ursa Major – Great Bear

Ursa Minor – Little Bear

Vela – Sail

Virgo – Maiden

Volans – Flying Fish

Vulpecula – Fox.