Constellations

A constellation introduced on the 1603 star atla of Johann Bayer. It represents a water bird, the crane, although others have seen here a flamingo.

A constellation familiar since ancient times, representing a pair of twins holding hands. We know them as Castor and Pollux, members of the Argonauts' crew and of mixed parentage: although both sons of Leda, Castor's father was King Tyndareus of Sparta, while the father of Pollux was the god Zeus.

A barren constellation introduced in the mid 18th century by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, orginally under the name of Fornax Chemica, the Chemical Furnace.

An extensive constellation, the 6th largest in the sky, but often over looked because of its faintness. It meanders from Taurus in the north to Hydrus in the south.

The second smallest constellation in the sky, Equuleus aeems to have orginated with the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE.

Dragons feature in many ancient legends, and so it is not suprising to find such a monster in the sky. Its body lies coiled around the North Star.

This constellation alos commonly known as the Swordfish was introduced in 1603 by Johann Bayer.

A constellation which orginated in Greek times, celebrating the long standing relationship between mankind and this most intelligent of sea creatures.

Cygnus represents a swan flying down the Milky Way. Swans feature in many legends, including that of Zeus who visited Leda, wife of King Tyndareus of Sparta, in the guise of a swan.

The smallest constellation in the sky, but one of the most celebrated and distinctive. It was formed from some of the stars of Centaurus by various astronomers in the 16th century.

An ancient constellation representing the goblet of Apollo, and associated in legend with the neighbouring constellation of Corvus the Crow.

The origin of this faint constellation dates back at least to the ancient Greeks who called it the Raven. In legend,Corvus is associated with the neighbouring constellations of Crater the Cup and Hydra the Water Snake.

An ancient constellation representing the jewelled crown given as a wedding present by Bacchus to Ariadne, and cast by him into the sky when she died.

The southern conterpart to the Northern Crown (Corona Borealis). Corona Australis has been known since the times of the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE.

This faint constellation represents the flowing locks of Queen Berenice of Egypt, who cut off her hair in gratitude to the gods for the safe return from battle of her husband Ptolemy Euergetes.

A constellation adjoining Puppis, representing the dove that followed Noah's Ark, or the dove that the Argonauts sent ahead to help them pass safely between the Symplegades, the clashing rocks, at the mouth of the Black Sea,

Another of the small and obscure southern constellations introduced by the French astronomer \nicolas Louis de Lacaille.

A faint and undistinguished constellation. It was introduced into the southern skies by Johann Bayer in 1603.

An ancient constellation depicting the sea monster that threatened to devour Andromeda before she was rescued by Perseus

An ancient constellation representing KIng Cepheus of Ethiopia, husband of Cassiopeia and father of Andromeda, themselves represented by nearby constellations.

A large and rich constellation representing a centaur in Greek mythology, reputedly the scholarly centaur Chiron who was the tutuor of many Greek heroes, and who according to legend invented the main constellations.

In legend, Cassiopeia was the beautiful but boastful Queen of Ethiopia, wife of King Cepheus and mother of Andromeda.

This constellation was orginally part of the extensive Argo Navis, the ship of the Argonauts, until subdivided in the 1750s by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. As part of Argo Navis, Carina's origin goes back to Greek times, and is associated with the legend of Jason and the Argonauts who sought the Golden Fleece.

Capricornus is depicted as a goat with a fish tail. Amphibious creatures feature prominently in ancient legends, and the origin of Capricornus certainly dates back to ancient times.

The second of the two dogs of Orion, the other being Canis Major.