Constellations

Aries is one of the constellations of the zodiac, situated north of the celestial equator. It is one of the 88 official constellations as recognized by the International Astronomical Union, albeit as a specific region of sky as opposed to a particular arrangement of stars. It was also listed as one of the 48 recognized constellations of the second … Read more

What is the zodiac in astronomy, and how does it differ from astrology? In astronomy, the zodiac is the area of sky containing the constellations which lie along the apparent path of the Sun as it travels across the celestial sphere (the Earth’s poles and equator projected into the sky). This path is called the … Read more

Taurus is one of the constellations of the zodiac. The name Taurus comes from the Latin word for ‘the bull’, which is the animal the constellation has always depicted. It is a big, prominent, and easily recognizable constellation which has been known since ancient times. Indeed, it is one of the oldest documented constellations. It … Read more

Gemini is one of the constellations of the zodiac. The 2nd century AD astronomer Ptolemy had listed Gemini as one of his 48 constellations. Gemini comes from the Latin word for “twins”, which the constellation represents, and is associated with the twins of Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux. The two most prominent stars in the constellation are also named for … Read more

Cancer is a constellation which is part of the zodiac and is visible in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The name Cancer comes for the Latin for “the crab”, which the constellation traditionally depicts. It is actually quite difficult to make out any form of a crab within the constellation as most of the … Read more

Leo is one of the most ancient and recognizable of all the constellations. It was recognized by Ptolemy in the 2nd century and was included in his list of 48 constellations. It remains one of the 88 modern constellations and is typically considered the 5th constellation of the zodiac. Part of what makes Leo such a well-known constellation … Read more

Virgo is one of the constellations of the zodiac in astronomy. Virgo is not one of the constellations that looks like what it represents – a maiden in this case– but it is relatively easy to find thanks to its bright star, Spica. Though it looks sparse in comparison to constellations like Taurus, Virgo is home … Read more

Libra is a constellation of the zodiac visible generally from May through August in the Northern Hemisphere, and April through September in the Southern Hemisphere. The name Libra comes from the Latin word meaning “balance” or “scales” which is what the constellation traditionally represents. In fact, lb. – the abbreviation for pound – is an … Read more

Scorpius is by far one of the most easily recognizable constellations in the night sky. It is also one of the most prominent constellations of the zodiac, and has been known since ancient times. The 2nd Century Greek astronomer Ptolemy had a catalogue of the constellations formally recognized during that era. Scorpius is definitely one of … Read more