Special Sub-Topic: Constellation Abbreviations #1 Click Here To Play: Constellation Abbreviations #1

Andromeda?

And. Andromeda, the Princess or the Chained Maiden, was one of the first constellations to be named. This constellation is home to one of our nearest neighboring galaxies, known as M31 or the Andromeda galaxy.

Antlia?

Ant. Antlia, the Air Pump, was named in the 18th century, in honor of the 17th century chemist and physicist Robert Boyle who invented the compressed air pump.

Aquarius?

Aqr. Aquarius, the Waterbearer, is another one of the ancient constellations, it is also one of the ecliptic (or zodiac)constellations (which is where the Sun, Moon and planets appear to be from Earth).

Bootes?

Boo. Bootes, the Herdsman, contains the fourth brightest star in the night sky, Arcturus, which means 'guardian of the bear'.

Camelopardalis?

Cam. Camelopardalis, the Giraffe, is more of a 'modern' constellation. Although the constellation is over 750 square degrees, none of its stars are very bright.

Cancer?

Cnc. Cancer, the Crab, is the least conspicuous of the ecliptic constellations. However, it is one of the best known. About 2,500 years ago the Sun reached its most northern position in the sky, in Cancer, today it is called the summer solstice.

Canes Venatici?

CVn. Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dogs, is a relatively small constellation. It contains the multiple star Cor Caroli, an impressive double star in a moderate size scope. Cor Caroli is only one of three stars named after a specific person in modern times, King Charles II of England. (See question 15 for the other two.)

Canis Major?

CMa. Canis Major, the Great Dog, contains the brightest star in our night sky, Sirius. Sirius is about 8.7 light years away, making it the fifth closest star known to us.

Capricornus?

Cap. Capricornus, The Sea Goat, is perhaps, the oldest constellation to be recognized, from the time of the Babylonians, some 3,000 years ago.

Cassiopeia?

Cas. Cassiopeia, the Queen, is one of the best known constellations, appearing as a 3, W, E, or a M in the sky, depending on the season.

Chamaeleon?

Cha. Chamaeleon, the Chamaeleon, is one of the smallest and faintest constellations. It lies near the south celestial pole and contains no bright stars.

Circinus?

Cir. Circinus, the Drawing Compass, is another obscure, faint, constellation, lies just east of Alpha Centauri.

Coma Berenices?

Com. Coma Berenices, Berenice's Hair, is a small constellation of ancient origin. It goes back to the time of Ptolemy III (about 230 B.C.). This constellation contains at least 8 Messier objects and NGC4565, one of the finest edge on galaxies in all of the night sky.

Corona Australis?

CrA. Corona Australis, the Southern Crown, was named in the 2d century by Ptolemy (he named 48 constellations). This constellation lies below the constellation Sagittarius.

Delphinus?

Del. Delphinus, the Dolphin, has a diamond like shape. Two of its {stars;} alpha named Sualocin and beta named Rotanev, spelled backwards reads Nicolaus Venator, the assistant to the director of the Palermo Observatory.

Eridanus?

Eri. Eridanus, the River, is the second longest, but on the sixth largest constellation. It is a relatively faint constellation except for its alpha star, Achernar, a first magnitude star. There are many faint galaxies throughout this constellation.

Fornax?

For. Fornax, the Furnace, was named by the 18th century astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille (he actually named it Fornax Chemica, but it was shortened later). Although there are no bright stars, clusters or galaxies in this constellation, one can center on a faint cluster of at least 9 galaxies using a wide field eyepiece.

Leo Minor?

LMi. Leo Minor, the Little Lion, is another modern day constellation. This constellation is famous for not having an star with the greek letter alpha (Norma and Vela also don't have a star designated alpha.)

Pegasus?

Peg. Pegasus, the Winged Horse, is an ancient constellation. The great square of Pegasus actually contains one star from its neighboring constellation of Andromeda.

Phoenix?

Phe. Phoenix, the Phoenix, first appeared in the star atlas of Johann Bayer in 1603. It is a relatively inconspicous contellation containing few bright stars.