ARIES

Aries is an ancient
constellation first listed by
Ptolemy in the second
century.
Though Aries is one of the
12 zodiac constellations,
which are arguably some of
the best known, it's the 11th
smallest, taking up just 441
square degrees in the night
sky.
URSA MINOR
It is also known as the Little Bear or
Little Dipper. Ursa Minor also consists
of seven stars arranged in a similar
manner to those to Ursa Major, but the
stars in this constellation are closer
together and less bright than in the
Ursa Major. The last star in the handle
of the Little Dipper is the Pole star itself.
Ursa Minor is also known as the Pole
star constellation.
URSA MINOR:
Cassiopeia, in astronomy, a
constellation of the northern sky
easily recognized by a group of five
bright stars forming a slightly
irregular W.

This sky map shows the location of the constellation Capricornus
in the October evening sky as viewed from mid-northern
latitudes. (Image credit: Starry Night Software)
Located in the Southern Hemisphere,
Capricornus represents a creature that is a blend
of fish and goat; the name means "goat horn" in
Latin. While it is one of the Zodiac constellations
identified by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in
the 2nd century, Capricornus is often used when
referring to the constellation, while Capricorn is
used in conjunction with the sign of the
Zodiac.Locating Capricornus
Aquarius is a constellation in the Western Zodiac that can be
tricky to spot with the naked eye. (Image credit: manpuku7 via
Getty Images)
Aquarius is a constellation in the Western
Zodiac and one of 88 official constellations
according to the International Astronomical
Union (IAU). The constellation describes a large
group of stars that ancient Greek astronomers saw
as a picture in the night sky. Aquarius was said to
represent a "cup bearer" or "water bearer," which
is what its name means in Latin.
Pisces is the 14th largest constellation but its stars are relatively
faint. (Image credit: Stellarium)
Pisces, named for the Latin plural of fish,
occupies 889 square degrees, making it the 14th
largest constellation overall. While it is a fairly
large constellation, its stars are faint — none are
brighter than fourth magnitude — making it
challenging to see in the sky with the naked eye.
Pisces is notable for containing the point at which
the sun crosses the celestial equator into the
Northern Hemisphere around March 20 each
year. This point, called the vernal equinox, used
to lie in Aries, but has moved into Pisces because
of the Earth's wobble on its axis, called
precession, according to astronomer and author
Ian Ridpath.

Aries is one of Ptolemy's ancient constellations and one of the 12
zodiac constellations. (Image credit: Alexandr Yurtchenko via
Getty Images)
Jump to:
 Aries observing targets
 Arietid meteor shower
 Mythology
 Aries constellation FAQs answered by an expert
 Additional resources
Aries is an ancient constellation first listed by
Ptolemy in the second century.
Though Aries is one of the 12 zodiac
constellations, which are arguably some of the
best known, it's the 11th smallest, taking up just
441 square degrees in the night sky. Overall, it's
the 39th largest constellation, putting it in the
middle of the pack of the 88 constellations
recognized by the International Astronomical
Union.
The Taurus constellation is packed with fascinating stars, stellar
clusters, and galaxies. (Image credit: manpuku7 via Getty Images)
Taurus the bull is one of the most well-known
and noticeable constellations in the sky over
Earth.
Taurus is the sixth largest of the
Zodiac constellations and the 17th largest
constellation overall, occupying around 797.2
square degrees or 1.9% of the sky over Earth,
according to Astronomy Trek.
The Gemini constellation is anchored by dual stars Castor and
Pollux (Image credit: Alexandr Yurtchenko via Getty Images)
The northern-sky constellation of Gemini is one
of the original constellations listed by Ptolemy in
the second century, as well as one of the
12 zodiac constellations.
The word "gemini" means twins in Latin; the
constellation is associated with the Greek
mythological twins Castor and Pollux, for whom
two of the stars in the constellation are named,
according to Britannica. (Castor is not actually a
single star, but a system of six stars that are so
close together, they appear as one.)
In other ancient astrological traditions, the twins
are represented by pairs of goats or peacocks, or
for other famous mythological twins like Remus
and Romulus.

Here we explore the dimmest zodiac constellation. (Image credit:
icafreitas via Getty Images)
Cancer, the crab, is the dimmest of the 12 zodiac
constellations, yet it contains one of the brightest
star clusters, the Beehive Cluster, as well as stars
with orbiting planets, according to Constellation
Guide.
The ancient Greek astronomer Ptolemy first
cataloged the constellation in the second century.
It is associated with a crab that bit the hero
Heracles (Hercules) in Greek mythology. Per the
myth, the goddess Hera, an enemy of Heracles,
placed the crab in the night sky, according
to EarthSky.
Virgo is the largest constellation of the Zodiac. (Image credit:
Marc Ward/Stocktrek Images via Getty Images)
Virgo is the second-largest constellation in the
sky and the largest constellation of the Zodiac.
The constellation Virgo is famous primarily for
Leo is one of the most prominent constellations in the night its affiliation with astrology as one of the twelve
sky. (Image credit: manpuku7 via Getty Images) constellations of the zodiac, but it also contains a
treasure trove of interesting deep-sky objects.
One of the most prominent constellations of the Virgo means "the virgin" in Latin, and contains
night sky, Leo the Lion is visible from pretty one of the brightest stars, Spica, according to
much anywhere on Earth, except for Antarctica. the stargazing website Constellation Guide.
This means humanity has founded a wealth of
myths and legends around the constellation.
In the modern age, Leo is the home in the sky of
a wealth of objects of great scientific interest
meaning skywatchers and astronomers today are
as fascinated with the lion as were antiquity's
astrologers and myth-weavers.

Libra has been an object of fascination in the night sky for many
years. (Image credit: taeya18 via Getty Images)
The constellation of Libra — Latin for the
weighing scales — is the
only constellation of the Zodiac to be named
after an inanimate object rather than a
character or an animal. Libra is located in
the southern sky and has been a strong
influence in mythology, astrology, and
hard science.
For our ancestors, the constellation was
long associated with harmony, balance,
and even justice. Now in the modern era
of science, it represents one of the most
enticing targets for astronomers and plays
host to some fascinating cosmic objects.
The constellation's exoplanets could prove
to be tantalizing prospects for deeper
investigation, with some even possibly
hosting liquid water — a key ingredient for
life.
Scorpius is one of the 13 constellations of the zodiac. (Image
credit: manpuku7 via Getty Images)
Scorpius is a constellation known for its
distinctive shape and for being one of the 13
constellations of the zodiac, a belt-shaped area of
the night sky that the sun, moon, and planets
appear to pass through.
It is one of the brightest constellations in the
night sky. The name is Latin for scorpion, or
literally translated as the "creature with the
burning sting."
Riding low in the summer sky is the constellation Sagittarius,
looking like a teapot and containing some of the finest deep sky
objects. Full Story. (Image credit: Starry Night® Software)
Occupying 867 square degrees, Sagittarius is the
largest constellation in the Southern Hemisphere
and the 15th largest constellation overall. The
constellation has many bright stars and is very
visible with the naked eye.
As is the case with all of the Zodiac
constellations, Sagittarius was recorded in the
2nd century by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy,
and it is Latin for archer.
 leads us to the Pole star or Polaris. The Pole
star always appears in the same position in
the sky as it is directly above the north pole.
This constellation is visible during the
summers.

URSA MAJOR:

It is also known as the Great Bear, the Big

Dipper or Saptarishi. Ursa Major contains
seven stars making the pattern of a dipper. A
line drawn through the pointers of the dipper
 Cassiopeia, in astronomy, a
constellation of the northern sky
easily recognized by a group of five
bright stars forming a slightly
URSA MINOR: irregular W.

It is also known as the Little Bear or Little

Dipper. Ursa Minor also consists of seven
stars arranged in a similar manner to those
to Ursa Major, but the stars in this
constellation are closer together and less
bright than in the Ursa Major. The last star in
the handle of the Little Dipper is the Pole star
itself. Ursa Minor is also known as the Pole
star constellation.
 used in conjunction with the sign of the
Zodiac.Locating Capricornus

Aquarius is a constellation in the Western Zodiac that can be

tricky to spot with the naked eye. (Image credit: manpuku7 via
Getty Images)

Aquarius is a constellation in the Western

Zodiac and one of 88 official constellations
according to the International Astronomical
Union (IAU). The constellation describes a large
This sky map shows the location of the constellation Capricornus group of stars that ancient Greek astronomers saw
in the October evening sky as viewed from mid-northern as a picture in the night sky. Aquarius was said to
latitudes. (Image credit: Starry Night Software) represent a "cup bearer" or "water bearer," which
is what its name means in Latin.
Located in the Southern Hemisphere,
Capricornus represents a creature that is a blend
of fish and goat; the name means "goat horn" in
Latin. While it is one of the Zodiac constellations
identified by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in
the 2nd century, Capricornus is often used when
referring to the constellation, while Capricorn is

Pisces is the 14th largest constellation but its stars are relatively
faint. (Image credit: Stellarium)
Pisces, named for the Latin plural of fish,
occupies 889 square degrees, making it the 14th
largest constellation overall. While it is a fairly
large constellation, its stars are faint — none are
brighter than fourth magnitude — making it
challenging to see in the sky with the naked eye.
Pisces is notable for containing the point at which
the sun crosses the celestial equator into the
Northern Hemisphere around March 20 each
year. This point, called the vernal equinox, used
to lie in Aries, but has moved into Pisces because
of the Earth's wobble on its axis, called
precession, according to astronomer and author
Ian Ridpath.
The Taurus constellation is packed with fascinating stars, stellar
clusters, and galaxies. (Image credit: manpuku7 via Getty Images)
Aries is one of Ptolemy's ancient constellations and one of the 12
zodiac constellations. (Image credit: Alexandr Yurtchenko via Taurus the bull is one of the most well-known
Getty Images) and noticeable constellations in the sky over
Jump to: Earth.
 Aries observing targets
 Arietid meteor shower Taurus is the sixth largest of the
 Mythology Zodiac constellations and the 17th largest
 Aries constellation FAQs answered by an expert constellation overall, occupying around 797.2
 Additional resources square degrees or 1.9% of the sky over Earth,
Aries is an ancient constellation first listed by according to Astronomy Trek.
Ptolemy in the second century.
Though Aries is one of the 12 zodiac
constellations, which are arguably some of the
best known, it's the 11th smallest, taking up just
441 square degrees in the night sky. Overall, it's
the 39th largest constellation, putting it in the
middle of the pack of the 88 constellations
recognized by the International Astronomical
Union.

The Gemini constellation is anchored by dual stars Castor and
Pollux (Image credit: Alexandr Yurtchenko via Getty Images)
The northern-sky constellation of Gemini is one
of the original constellations listed by Ptolemy in
the second century, as well as one of the
12 zodiac constellations.
The word "gemini" means twins in Latin; the
constellation is associated with the Greek
mythological twins Castor and Pollux, for whom
two of the stars in the constellation are named,
according to Britannica. (Castor is not actually a
single star, but a system of six stars that are so
close together, they appear as one.)
In other ancient astrological traditions, the twins
are represented by pairs of goats or peacocks, or
for other famous mythological twins like Remus
and Romulus.
Here we explore the dimmest zodiac constellation. (Image credit:
icafreitas via Getty Images)
Cancer, the crab, is the dimmest of the 12 zodiac
constellations, yet it contains one of the brightest
star clusters, the Beehive Cluster, as well as stars
with orbiting planets, according to Constellation
Guide.
The ancient Greek astronomer Ptolemy first
cataloged the constellation in the second century.
It is associated with a crab that bit the hero
Heracles (Hercules) in Greek mythology. Per the
myth, the goddess Hera, an enemy of Heracles,
placed the crab in the night sky, according
to EarthSky.
Leo is one of the most prominent constellations in the night
sky. (Image credit: manpuku7 via Getty Images)
One of the most prominent constellations of the
night sky, Leo the Lion is visible from pretty
much anywhere on Earth, except for Antarctica.
This means humanity has founded a wealth of
myths and legends around the constellation.
In the modern age, Leo is the home in the sky of
a wealth of objects of great scientific interest
meaning skywatchers and astronomers today are
as fascinated with the lion as were antiquity's
astrologers and myth-weavers.

Virgo is the largest constellation of the Zodiac. (Image credit:
Marc Ward/Stocktrek Images via Getty Images)
Virgo is the second-largest constellation in the
sky and the largest constellation of the Zodiac.
The constellation Virgo is famous primarily for
its affiliation with astrology as one of the twelve
constellations of the zodiac, but it also contains a
treasure trove of interesting deep-sky objects.
Virgo means "the virgin" in Latin, and contains
one of the brightest stars, Spica, according to
the stargazing website Constellation Guide.
Libra has been an object of fascination in the night sky for many
years. (Image credit: taeya18 via Getty Images)
The constellation of Libra — Latin for the
weighing scales — is the
only constellation of the Zodiac to be named
after an inanimate object rather than a
character or an animal. Libra is located in
the southern sky and has been a strong
influence in mythology, astrology, and
hard science.
For our ancestors, the constellation was
long associated with harmony, balance,
and even justice. Now in the modern era
of science, it represents one of the most
enticing targets for astronomers and plays
host to some fascinating cosmic objects.
The constellation's exoplanets could prove
to be tantalizing prospects for deeper
investigation, with some even possibly
hosting liquid water — a key ingredient for
life.
Scorpius is one of the 13 constellations of the zodiac. (Image
credit: manpuku7 via Getty Images)
Scorpius is a constellation known for its
distinctive shape and for being one of the 13
constellations of the zodiac, a belt-shaped area of
the night sky that the sun, moon, and planets
appear to pass through.
It is one of the brightest constellations in the
night sky. The name is Latin for scorpion, or
literally translated as the "creature with the
burning sting."
Riding low in the summer sky is the constellation Sagittarius,
looking like a teapot and containing some of the finest deep sky
objects. Full Story. (Image credit: Starry Night® Software)

Occupying 867 square degrees, Sagittarius is the

largest constellation in the Southern Hemisphere
and the 15th largest constellation overall. The
constellation has many bright stars and is very
visible with the naked eye.

As is the case with all of the Zodiac

constellations, Sagittarius was recorded in the
2nd century by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy,
and it is Latin for archer.