Constellations Explorer

Meaning: Swift SeizerSymbolism: The Sea Serpent
Constellation family: Hercule
Number of main stars: 17
Abbreviation: Hya
Location: Second quadrant of the southern hemisphere (SQ2)
Neighboring Constellations: Antlia, Cancer, Canis Minor, Centaurus, Corvus, Crater, Leo, Libra, Lupus, Monoceros, Puppis, Pyxis, Sextans and Virgo
Best viewed: April
Named Stars: Alphard, Ashlesha, Felis, Lerna, Minchir, Ukdah, and Zhang
Area: 1,303 sq. deg
1st largest constellation in size

Symbolism: The Maiden
Constellation family: Zodiac
Number of main stars: 9, 15
Abbreviation: Vir
Location: Third quadrant of the southern hemisphere (SQ3)
Neighboring Constellations: Boötes, Coma Berenices, Corvus, Crater, Hydra, Leo, Libra and Serpens Caput
Best viewed: March through July
Named Stars: Elgafar, Flegetonte, Heze, Kang, Khambalia, Lich, Malmok, Minelauva, Mönch, Porrima, Spica, Syrma, Vindemiatrix, Zaniah, and Zavijava
Area: 1,294 sq. deg.
2nd largest constellation in size

Symbolism: The Great Bear
Constellation family: Ursa Major
Number of stars: 7, 20
Abbreviation: Uma
Location: Northern sky; second quadrant of northern hemisphere (NQ2)
Neighboring Constellations: Boötes, Camelopardalis, Canes Venatici, Coma Berenices, Draco, Leo, Leo Minor and Lynx
Best viewed: March through June
Named Stars: Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar, Alkaid
Area: 1280 sq. deg.
3rd largest constellation in size

Symbolism: The Whale
Constellation family: Perseus
Number of main stars: 14
Abbreviation: Cet
Location: First quadrant of the southern hemisphere (SQ1)
Neighboring Constellations: Aquarius, Aries, Eridanus, Fornax, Pisces, Sculptor, and Taurus
Best viewed: October through January
Named Stars: Axólotl, Baten Kaitos, Diphda, Kaffaljidhma, Menkar, Mira, Mpingo, and Felixvarela
Area: 1231 sq. deg.
4th largest constellation in size

Symbolism: The Greek Hero Heracles
Constellation family: Hercules
Number of main stars: 14, 22
Abbreviation: Her
Location: Third quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ3)
Neighboring Constellations: Aquila, Boötes, Corona Borealis, Draco, Lyra, Ophiuchus, Sagitta, Serpens Caput and Vulpecula
Best viewed: July
Number of main stars: 14, 22 Abbreviation: Her
Named Stars: Cujam, Franz, Hunor, Irena, Kornephoros, Maasym, Marsic, Ogma, Pipoltr, Rasalgethi, and Sarin
Area: 1,225 sq. deg.
5th largest constellation in size

Symbolism: The Winged Horse
Constellation family: Perseus
Number of main stars: 9, 17
Abbreviation: Peg
Location: Forth quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ4)
Neighboring Constellations: Andromeda, Aquarius, Cygnus, Delphinus, Equuleus, Lacerta, Pisces and Vulpecula.
Best viewed: October
Named Stars: Algenib, Alkarab, Anadolu, Biham, Enif, Helvetios, Homam, Markab, Matar, Morava, Sadalbari, Salm, Scheat, Solaris, and Tangra
Area: 1,121 sq. deg.
7th largest constellation in size

Symbolism: The Dragon
Constellation family: Ursa Major
Number of main stars: 14
Abbreviation: Dra
Location: Third quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ3)
Neighboring Constellations: Boötes, Camelopardalis, Cepheus, Cygnus, Hercules, Lyra, Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor
Best viewed: July
Named Stars: Aldhibah, Alrakis, Alruba, Alsafi, Altais, Athebyne, Dziban, Edasich, Eltanin, Fafnir, Funi, Giausar, Grumium, Rastaban, Taiyi, Thuban, and Tianyi
Area: 1,083 sq. deg.
8th largest constellation in size

Symbolism: The Lion
Constellation family: Zodiac
Number of main stars: 9, 15
Abbreviation: Leo
Location: Second quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ2)
Neighboring Constellations: Cancer, Coma Berenices, Crater, Hydra, Leo Minor, Lynx, Sextans, Ursa Major and Virgo
Best viewed: April
Named Stars: Adhafera, Algieba, Alterf, Chertan, Denebola, Dingolay, Formosa, Moriah, Rasalas, Regulus, Sagarmatha, Subra, and Zosm
Area: 947 sq. deg.
12th largest constellation in size

Symbolism: The Greek hero Perseus
Constellation family: Perseus
Number of main stars: 19
Abbreviation: Per
Location: First quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ1)
Neighboring Constellations: Andromeda, Aries, Auriga, Camelopardalis, Cassiopeia, Taurus and Triangulum
Best viewed: December
Named Stars: Algol, Atik, Berehinya, Menkib, Miram, Mirfak, Misam, Muspelheim
Area: 615 sq. deg.
24th largest constellation in size

Symbolism: Andromeda, the Chained Woman
Constellation family: Perseus
Number of main stars: 16
Abbreviation: And
Location: First quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ1)
Between Cassiopeia’s W asterism and the Great Square of Pegasus
Neighboring Constellations: Cassiopeia, Lacerta, Pegasus, Perseus, Pisces and Triangulum
Best viewed: September through November
Named Stars: Adhil, Almach, Alpheratz, Buna, Mirach, Nembus, Sterrennacht, Titawin, and Veritate
Area: 722 sq. deg.
19th largest constellation in size

Symbolism: Orion, the Hunter
Constellation family: Orion
Number of main stars: 7
Abbreviation: Ori
Location: First quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ1)
Neighboring Constellations: Eridanus, Gemini, Lepus, Monoceros and Taurus
Best viewed: December through March
Named Stars: Alnilam, Alnitak, Bellatrix, Betelgeuse, Hatysa, Meissa, Mintaka, Rigel, Saiph, and Tabit
Area: 594 sq. deg.
26th largest constellation in size

Symbolism: The King Cepheus
Constellation family: Perseus
Number of main stars: 7
Abbreviation: Cep
Location: Fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ4)
Neighboring Constellations: amelopardalis, Cassiopeia, Cygnus, Draco, Lacerta, and Ursa Minor
Best viewed: November
Named Stars: Alderamin, Alfirk, Errai, and Kurhah
Area: 588 sq. deg.
27th largest constellation in size

Symbolism: the Twins, Castor and Pollux
Constellation family: Zodiac
Number of main stars: 8, 17
Abbreviation: Gem
Location: Second quadrant of the northern celestial hemisphere (NQ2)
Neighboring Constellations: Auriga, Cancer, Canis Minor, Lynx, Monoceros, Orion and Taurus
Best viewed: February
Named Stars: Castor, Pollux, Alhena, Wasat, mebsuta, Mekbuda, Propus, Tejat
Area: 514 sq. deg.
30th largest constellation in size

Symbolism: The Hare
Constellation family: Orion
Number of main stars: 8
Abbreviation: Lep
Location: Northern sky; second quadrant of the northern celestial hemisphere (NQ2
Just under the feet of Orion
Neighboring Constellations: Caelum, Canis Major, Columba, Eridanus, Monoceros and Orion
Best viewed: January
Named Stars: Alpha Leporis, Beta Leporis, Gamma Leporis, R Leporis,
Area: 290 sq. deg.
51st largest constellation in size

Symbolism: The Dolphin
Constellation family: Heavenly Waters
Number of main stars: 5
Abbreviation: Del
Location: Fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ4)
Neighboring Constellations: Aquarius, Aquila, Equuleus, Pegasus, Sagitta, and Vulpecula
Best viewed: September
Named Stars: Aldulfin, Musica, Rotanev, Shama, Sualocin
Area: 189 sq. deg.
69th largest constellation in size

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