Learn about the 88 modern constellations, their names, history, how to identify them, why we see different constellations at different times of year, and other fun facts.| www.constellation-guide.com
Hydra is the largest constellation in the sky. Located in the southern celestial hemisphere, the constellation contains the open cluster Messier 48, the Porpoise Galaxy (NGC 2936), and the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83).| www.constellation-guide.com
Draco is one of the largest northern constellations. It represents the dragon Ladon in Greek mythology. The constellation is home to the Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543), the Spindle Galaxy (M102), and the Tadpole Galaxy (Arp 188).| www.constellation-guide.com
Cygnus, the Swan, is one of the largest northern constellations. Recognizable for the Northern Cross, it is home to the bright supergiant Deneb, the North America Nebula (NGC 7000) and the Gamma Cygni Nebula (IC 1318).| www.constellation-guide.com
Hercules is one of the largest constellations in the sky. Representing the mythical Greek hero, the constellation is home to the Hercules Globular Cluster (M13), the globular cluster Messier 92, and the Hercules Cluster of galaxies.| www.constellation-guide.com
Boötes (the Herdsman or Plowman) is a large northern constellation dominated by a kite-shaped asterism. The constellation is home to Arcturus, the brightest northern star, and the contrasting double star Izar.| www.constellation-guide.com
Ara is a small constellation in the southern sky. It represents the altar. It contains the open clusters NGC 6193 and the Ara Cluster, the planetary nebula known as the Stingray Nebula, and the pre-planetary Water Lily Nebula.| www.constellation-guide.com
Asterisms are defined as patterns formed by stars of one or more constellations. These star patterns are commonly recognized by observers across the world and once served as a basis for the modern 88 constellations.| www.constellation-guide.com
Lupus (the Wolf) is a southern constellation located between Scorpius and Centaurus. It hosts the historic supernova remnant SN 1006, the globular clusters NGC 5824 and NGC 5986, and the Retina Nebula (IC 4406).| www.constellation-guide.com
Crux is the smallest and most distinctive constellation in the southern sky. Recognizable for the Southern Cross, formed by its brightest stars, it is home to the dark Coalsack Nebula and the Jewel Box Cluster (NGC 4755).| www.constellation-guide.com
Carina is a constellation in the southern sky. It represents the keel of the ship Argo. It is home to Canopus, the second brightest star in the sky, and Eta Carinae, a massive star illuminating the Carina Nebula.| www.constellation-guide.com
Canopus, Alpha Carinae (α Car), is a white bright giant star located at a distance of 310 light years from Earth in the constellation Carina. It is the second brightest star in the sky.| Star Facts
Canis Major is a constellation in the southern sky. It represents the bigger dog following Orion, the Hunter. The constellation is home to Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, and the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy.| www.constellation-guide.com
Centaurus is a large constellation located in the southern celestial hemisphere. It is home to Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to Earth, the bright galaxy Centaurus A, and the globular cluster Omega Centauri.| www.constellation-guide.com
Sirius, Alpha Canis Majoris (α CMa), is the brightest star in the sky. The Sirius star system lies at a distance of 8.6 ly from Earth in the constellation Canis Major. It can be found using the stars of Orion's Belt.| Star Facts
Vulpecula is a faint constellation in the northern sky. It represents the little fox. The constellation is home to the red giant Anser, the Dumbbell Nebula (M27), and as asterism known as the Coathanger.| www.constellation-guide.com
The list of all the named stars (stars with names that have been formally approved by the IAU), with name origins and etymologies explained.| Star Facts
Rigil Kentaurus, Alpha Centauri A (α Cen A), is a Sun-like yellow main sequence star located at a distance of 4.37 light years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus. It is the primary component of Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to the solar system.| Star Facts
Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer, is a large constellation near the celestial equator. Representing the healer Asclepius in Greek mythology, the constellation is visible from both hemispheres.| www.constellation-guide.com
Aquila, the Eagle, is a prominent northern constellation located near the celestial equator. It contains the bright Altair and the planetary nebulae NGC 6741 (the Phantom Streak Nebula) and NGC 6751 (the Glowing Eye Nebula).| www.constellation-guide.com
The Summer Triangle is a northern summer asterism formed by the brightest stars in the constellations Lyra, Aquila and Cygnus. It can be used to find some of the best-known nebulae in the sky.| www.constellation-guide.com
Vega (Alpha Lyrae) is a fast-spinning white main sequence star located 25.04 light-years away in the constellation Lyra. Shining at magnitude 0.026, it is the fifth brightest star in the sky. It forms the Summer Triangle with Altair and Deneb.| Star Facts
Altair, Alpha Aquilae (α Aql), is a white main sequence star located 16.73 ly from Earth in the constellation Aquila. It forms the Summer Triangle with Vega and Deneb.| Star Facts
Deneb (α Cyg) is a blue-white supergiant located 2,615 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cygnus. The luminous star forms the Summer Triangle with Vega and Altair.| Star Facts