# The 88 constellations

| Constellation | Wikidata | IAU abbreviation | Genitive | Meaning | Origin | Introduced | Introduced by | Brightest star | Brightest star magnitude | Size rank | Area (sq. deg.) | Share of sky (%) | Centre RA (h) | Centre Dec (°) | Quadrant |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---: | --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | --- |
| Hydra | Q10578 | Hya | Hydrae | Hydra (mythological creature) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Alphard | 2 | 1 | 1302.844 | 3.16 | 11.6122 | -14.5318 | SQ2 |
| Virgo | Q8842 | Vir | Virginis | virgin, maiden | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Spica | 0.97 | 2 | 1294.428 | 3.14 | 13.4065 | -4.1585 | SQ3 |
| Ursa Major | Q8918 | UMa | Ursae Majoris | great bear | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Alioth | 1.77 | 3 | 1279.66 | 3.1 | 11.3127 | 50.7212 | NQ2 |
| Cetus | Q8839 | Cet | Ceti | sea monster (later interpreted as a whale) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Diphda | 2.02 | 4 | 1231.411 | 2.99 | 1.6683 | -7.1793 | SQ1 |
| Hercules | Q10448 | Her | Herculis | Hercules (mythological character) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Kornephoros | 2.81 | 5 | 1225.148 | 2.97 | 17.386 | 27.4988 | NQ3 |
| Eridanus | Q10433 | Eri | Eridani | river Eridanus (mythology) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Achernar | 0.43 | 6 | 1137.919 | 2.76 | 3.3003 | -28.7562 | SQ1 |
| Pegasus | Q8864 | Peg | Pegasi | Pegasus (mythological winged horse) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Enif | 2.4 | 7 | 1120.794 | 2.72 | 22.6973 | 19.4663 | NQ4 |
| Draco | Q8675 | Dra | Draconis | dragon | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Eltanin | 2.23 | 8 | 1082.952 | 2.63 | 15.144 | 67.0067 | NQ3 |
| Centaurus | Q8844 | Cen | Centauri | centaur | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Alpha Centauri | -0.27 | 9 | 1060.422 | 2.57 | 13.0712 | -47.3453 | SQ3 |
| Aquarius | Q10576 | Aqr | Aquarii | water-bearer | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Sadalsuud | 2.87 | 10 | 979.854 | 2.38 | 22.2897 | -10.7892 | SQ4 |
| Ophiuchus | Q8906 | Oph | Ophiuchi | serpent-bearer | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Rasalhague | 2.07 | 11 | 948.34 | 2.3 | 17.3948 | -7.9123 | SQ3 |
| Leo | Q8853 | Leo | Leonis | lion | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Regulus | 1.35 | 12 | 946.964 | 2.3 | 10.6672 | 13.1387 | NQ2 |
| Boötes | Q8667 | Boo | Boötis | herdsman | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Arcturus | -0.05 | 13 | 906.831 | 2.2 | 14.7107 | 31.2027 | NQ3 |
| Pisces | Q8679 | Psc | Piscium | fish (plural) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Alpherg | 3.61 | 14 | 889.417 | 2.16 | 0.4828 | 13.6872 | NQ1 |
| Sagittarius | Q8866 | Sgr | Sagittarii | archer | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Kaus Australis | 1.85 | 15 | 867.432 | 2.1 | 19.099 | -28.4768 | SQ4 |
| Cygnus | Q8921 | Cyg | Cygni | swan | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Deneb | 1.25 | 16 | 803.983 | 1.95 | 20.588 | 44.545 | NQ4 |
| Taurus | Q10570 | Tau | Tauri | bull | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Aldebaran | 0.86 | 17 | 797.249 | 1.93 | 4.7022 | 14.8772 | NQ1 |
| Camelopardalis | Q8832 | Cam | Camelopardalis | giraffe | Modern | 1613 | Plancius | β Camelopardalis | 4.02 | 18 | 756.828 | 1.83 | 8.8562 | 69.3815 | NQ2 |
| Andromeda | Q9256 | And | Andromedae | Andromeda (mythological character) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Alpheratz | 2.06 | 19 | 722.278 | 1.75 | 0.8077 | 37.4318 | NQ1 |
| Puppis | Q9251 | Pup | Puppis | poop deck | Ancient |  | Ptolemy, Lacaille | Naos | 2.25 | 20 | 673.434 | 1.63 | 7.258 | -31.1773 | SQ2 |
| Auriga | Q10476 | Aur | Aurigae | charioteer | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Capella | 0.08 | 21 | 657.438 | 1.59 | 6.0737 | 42.028 | NQ2 |
| Aquila | Q10586 | Aql | Aquilae | eagle | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Altair | 0.76 | 22 | 652.473 | 1.58 | 19.667 | 3.4108 | NQ4 |
| Serpens | Q8910 | Ser | Serpentis | snake | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Unukalhai | 2.62 | 23 | 636.928 | 1.54 | 16.9507 | 6.122 | NQ3 |
| Perseus | Q10511 | Per | Persei | Perseus (mythological character) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Mirfak | 1.82 | 24 | 614.997 | 1.49 | 3.175 | 45.0132 | NQ1 |
| Cassiopeia | Q10464 | Cas | Cassiopeiae | Cassiopeia (mythological character) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Schedar | 2.24 | 25 | 598.407 | 1.45 | 1.3193 | 62.184 | NQ1 |
| Orion | Q8860 | Ori | Orionis | Orion (mythological character) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Rigel | 0.13 | 26 | 594.12 | 1.44 | 5.5765 | 5.949 | NQ1 |
| Cepheus | Q10468 | Cep | Cephei | Cepheus (mythological character) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Alderamin | 2.46 | 27 | 587.787 | 1.42 | 2.544 | 71.0085 | NQ4 |
| Lynx | Q10443 | Lyn | Lyncis | lynx | Modern | 1690 | Hevelius | α Lyncis | 3.14 | 28 | 545.386 | 1.32 | 7.9922 | 47.4667 | NQ2 |
| Libra | Q10580 | Lib | Librae | balance | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Zubeneschemali | 2.61 | 29 | 538.052 | 1.3 | 15.1993 | -15.2347 | SQ3 |
| Gemini | Q8923 | Gem | Geminorum | twins (Lugal-irra and Meslamta-ea, later Castor and Pollux) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Pollux | 1.14 | 30 | 513.761 | 1.25 | 7.0707 | 22.6002 | NQ2 |
| Cancer | Q8849 | Cnc | Cancri | crab | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Tarf | 3.52 | 31 | 505.872 | 1.23 | 8.6493 | 19.8058 | NQ2 |
| Vela | Q10521 | Vel | Velorum | sails | Ancient |  | Ptolemy, Lacaille | γ Velorum | 1.83 | 32 | 499.649 | 1.21 | 9.5773 | -47.1672 | SQ2 |
| Scorpius | Q8865 | Sco | Scorpii | scorpion | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Antares | 0.91 | 33 | 496.783 | 1.2 | 16.8873 | -27.0315 | SQ3 |
| Carina | Q10470 | Car | Carinae | keel | Ancient |  | Ptolemy, Lacaille | Canopus | -0.74 | 34 | 494.184 | 1.2 | 8.695 | -63.2193 | SQ2 |
| Monoceros | Q10428 | Mon | Monocerotis | unicorn | Modern | 1613 | Plancius | β Monocerotis | 3.74 | 35 | 481.569 | 1.17 | 7.0605 | 0.2822 | NQ2 |
| Sculptor | Q9286 | Scl | Sculptoris | sculptor (originally 'sculptor's tools') | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | α Sculptoris | 4.3 | 36 | 474.764 | 1.15 | 0.438 | -32.0883 | SQ1 |
| Phoenix | Q10441 | Phe | Phoenicis | phoenix | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman | Ankaa | 2.38 | 37 | 469.319 | 1.14 | 0.9318 | -48.5807 | SQ1 |
| Canes Venatici | Q10452 | CVn | Canum Venaticorum | hunting dogs | Modern | 1690 | Hevelius | Cor Caroli | 2.81 | 38 | 465.194 | 1.13 | 13.116 | 40.1018 | NQ3 |
| Aries | Q10584 | Ari | Arietis | ram | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Hamal | 2 | 39 | 441.395 | 1.07 | 2.636 | 20.7923 | NQ1 |
| Capricornus | Q10535 | Cap | Capricorni | sea goat | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Deneb Algedi | 2.81 | 40 | 413.947 | 1 | 21.0488 | -18.0232 | SQ4 |
| Fornax | Q8913 | For | Fornacis | (chemical) furnace | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | Dalim | 3.92 | 41 | 397.502 | 0.96 | 2.798 | -31.6345 | SQ1 |
| Coma Berenices | Q9285 | Com | Comae Berenices | Berenice's hair | Ancient |  | Ptolemy; Caspar Vopel, | β Comae Berenices | 4.26 | 42 | 386.475 | 0.94 | 12.7878 | 23.3057 | NQ3 |
| Canis Major | Q10538 | CMa | Canis Majoris | greater dog | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Sirius | -1.46 | 43 | 380.118 | 0.92 | 6.829 | -22.1403 | SQ2 |
| Pavo | Q10515 | Pav | Pavonis | peacock | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman | Peacock | 1.94 | 44 | 377.666 | 0.92 | 19.6118 | -65.7815 | SQ4 |
| Grus | Q10563 | Gru | Gruis | crane (bird) | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman | Alnair | 1.74 | 45 | 365.513 | 0.89 | 22.4565 | -46.3518 | SQ4 |
| Lupus | Q10571 | Lup | Lupi | wolf | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Uridim | 2.3 | 46 | 333.683 | 0.81 | 15.2202 | -42.7088 | SQ3 |
| Sextans | Q10525 | Sex | Sextantis | sextant | Modern | 1690 | Hevelius | α Sextantis | 4.49 | 47 | 313.515 | 0.76 | 10.2715 | -2.6147 | SQ2 |
| Tucana | Q10567 | Tuc | Tucanae | toucan | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman | Lang-Exster | 2.85 | 48 | 294.557 | 0.71 | 23.7773 | -65.83 | SQ4 |
| Indus | Q10450 | Ind | Indi | Indian (of unspecified type) | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman | α Indi | 3.11 | 49 | 294.006 | 0.71 | 21.9722 | -59.7067 | SQ4 |
| Octans | Q10503 | Oct | Octantis | octant (instrument) | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | ν Octantis | 3.73 | 50 | 291.045 | 0.71 | 23 | -82.152 | SQ4 |
| Lepus | Q10446 | Lep | Leporis | hare | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Arneb | 2.59 | 51 | 290.291 | 0.7 | 5.5658 | -19.0463 | SQ1 |
| Lyra | Q10484 | Lyr | Lyrae | lyre / harp | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Vega | 0.03 | 52 | 286.476 | 0.69 | 18.8528 | 36.6893 | NQ4 |
| Crater | Q9282 | Crt | Crateris | krater (bowl for mixing wine) | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | δ Crateris | 3.56 | 53 | 282.398 | 0.68 | 11.3958 | -15.929 | SQ2 |
| Columba | Q10425 | Col | Columbae | dove | Modern | 1592 | Plancius, | Phact | 2.65 | 54 | 270.184 | 0.65 | 5.8627 | -35.0945 | SQ1 |
| Vulpecula | Q10519 | Vul | Vulpeculae | little fox (originally, 'little fox with the goose') | Modern | 1690 | Hevelius | Anser | 4.4 | 55 | 268.165 | 0.65 | 20.2313 | 24.4427 | NQ4 |
| Ursa Minor | Q10478 | UMi | Ursae Minoris | lesser bear | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Polaris | 1.98 | 56 | 255.864 | 0.62 | 15 | 77.6998 | NQ3 |
| Telescopium | Q10546 | Tel | Telescopii | telescope | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | α Telescopii | 3.51 | 57 | 251.512 | 0.61 | 19.3257 | -51.0368 | SQ4 |
| Horologium | Q10574 | Hor | Horologii | pendulum clock | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | α Horologii | 3.85 | 58 | 248.885 | 0.6 | 3.276 | -53.3363 | SQ1 |
| Pictor | Q10486 | Pic | Pictoris | painter (originally 'painter's easel') | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | α Pictoris | 3.27 | 59 | 246.739 | 0.6 | 5.7077 | -53.4742 | SQ1 |
| Piscis Austrinus | Q10409 | PsA | Piscis Austrini | southern fish | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Fomalhaut | 1.16 | 60 | 245.375 | 0.59 | 22.2845 | -30.6422 | SQ4 |
| Hydrus | Q10416 | Hyi | Hydri | lesser water snake | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman | β Hydri | 2.8 | 61 | 243.035 | 0.59 | 2.3442 | -69.9565 | SQ1 |
| Antlia | Q10481 | Ant | Antliae | (air) pump | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | α Antliae | 4.25 | 62 | 238.901 | 0.58 | 10.2738 | -32.4835 | SQ2 |
| Ara | Q9253 | Ara | Arae | altar | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | β Arae | 2.84 | 63 | 237.057 | 0.57 | 17.3748 | -56.5883 | SQ3 |
| Leo Minor | Q10403 | LMi | Leonis Minoris | lesser lion | Modern | 1690 | Hevelius | Praecipua | 3.83 | 64 | 231.956 | 0.56 | 10.2453 | 32.1347 | NQ2 |
| Pyxis | Q10473 | Pyx | Pyxidis | mariner's compass | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | α Pyxidis | 3.67 | 65 | 220.833 | 0.54 | 8.9527 | -27.3517 | SQ2 |
| Microscopium | Q10492 | Mic | Microscopii | microscope | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | γ Microscopii | 4.68 | 66 | 209.513 | 0.51 | 20.9647 | -36.2748 | SQ4 |
| Apus | Q10506 | Aps | Apodis | bird-of-paradise | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman | Paradys | 3.83 | 67 | 206.327 | 0.5 | 16.1442 | -75.3 | SQ3 |
| Lacerta | Q10430 | Lac | Lacertae | lizard | Modern | 1690 | Hevelius | Stellio | 3.76 | 68 | 200.688 | 0.49 | 22.4613 | 46.0418 | NQ4 |
| Delphinus | Q9302 | Del | Delphini | dolphin | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Rotanev | 3.62 | 69 | 188.549 | 0.46 | 20.6935 | 11.671 | NQ4 |
| Corvus | Q10517 | Crv | Corvi | crow | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Gienah | 2.59 | 70 | 183.801 | 0.45 | 12.442 | -18.4367 | SQ3 |
| Canis Minor | Q9305 | CMi | Canis Minoris | lesser dog | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Procyon | 0.34 | 71 | 183.367 | 0.44 | 7.6528 | 6.4272 | NQ2 |
| Dorado | Q8837 | Dor | Doradus | mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman | α Doradus | 3.26 | 72 | 179.173 | 0.43 | 5.2418 | -59.387 | SQ1 |
| Corona Borealis | Q10406 | CrB | Coronae Borealis | northern crown | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Alphecca | 2.24 | 73 | 178.71 | 0.43 | 15.8432 | 32.6248 | NQ3 |
| Norma | Q10582 | Nor | Normae | carpenter's level | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | γ2 Normae | 4.02 | 74 | 165.29 | 0.4 | 15.903 | -51.3515 | SQ3 |
| Mensa | Q9289 | Men | Mensae | Table Mountain (South Africa) | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | Hoerikwaggo | 5.09 | 75 | 153.484 | 0.37 | 5.415 | -77.504 | SQ1 |
| Volans | Q10437 | Vol | Volantis | flying fish | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman, | γ Volantis | 3.61 | 76 | 141.354 | 0.34 | 7.7955 | -69.8012 | SQ2 |
| Musca | Q10435 | Mus | Muscae | fly | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman | α Muscae | 2.69 | 77 | 138.355 | 0.34 | 12.588 | -70.161 | SQ3 |
| Triangulum | Q10565 | Tri | Trianguli | triangle | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Alaybasan | 3 | 78 | 131.847 | 0.32 | 2.1845 | 31.476 | NQ1 |
| Chamaeleon | Q10457 | Cha | Chamaeleontis | chameleon | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman | α Chamaeleontis | 4.06 | 79 | 131.592 | 0.32 | 10.6922 | -79.205 | SQ2 |
| Corona Australis | Q10413 | CrA | Coronae Australis | southern crown | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Meridiana | 4.09 | 80 | 127.696 | 0.31 | 18.6465 | -41.1475 | SQ4 |
| Caelum | Q10488 | Cae | Caeli | chisel or engraving tool | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | α Caeli | 4.46 | 81 | 124.865 | 0.3 | 4.7045 | -37.8817 | SQ1 |
| Reticulum | Q10498 | Ret | Reticuli | reticle | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | Rhombus | 3.32 | 82 | 113.936 | 0.28 | 3.9212 | -59.9975 | SQ1 |
| Triangulum Australe | Q10422 | TrA | Trianguli Australis | southern triangle | Modern | 1598 | Plancius, Keyser, de Houtman | Atria | 1.91 | 83 | 109.978 | 0.27 | 16.0825 | -65.388 | SQ3 |
| Scutum | Q10529 | Sct | Scuti | shield (of Sobieski) | Modern | 1690 | Hevelius | Tianbian | 3.83 | 84 | 109.114 | 0.26 | 18.6732 | -9.8887 | SQ4 |
| Circinus | Q10508 | Cir | Circini | compasses | Modern | 1756 | Lacaille | Xami | 3.19 | 85 | 93.353 | 0.23 | 14.5757 | -63.0303 | SQ3 |
| Sagitta | Q10513 | Sge | Sagittae | arrow | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Telum | 3.47 | 86 | 79.932 | 0.19 | 19.6508 | 18.8613 | NQ4 |
| Equuleus | Q10438 | Equ | Equulei | pony | Ancient |  | Ptolemy | Kitalpha | 3.92 | 87 | 71.641 | 0.17 | 21.1877 | 7.7582 | NQ4 |
| Crux | Q10542 | Cru | Crucis | cross | Modern | 1589 | Plancius | Acrux | 0.76 | 88 | 68.447 | 0.17 | 12.4498 | -60.1865 | SQ3 |

Source: https://aidb.si/d/constellations — From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0: "IAU designated constellations" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAU_designated_constellations), "IAU designated constellations by area" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAU_designated_constellations_by_area), by Wikipedia contributors. Wikidata identifiers are CC0.