Constellation family

Constellation families are groups of constellations that share something in common. They might be close together in the sky, or they might come from the same old stories or cultures.

In Western astronomy, many constellations in the northern sky come from a list made by a famous astronomer named Ptolemy. He wrote about them in his book called the Almagest. Ptolemy’s work has roots that go back even further, to ancient Mesopotamian astronomy.

Most of the constellations in the southern sky were added later. Sailors and astronomers added them when they traveled to areas farther south between the 16th and 18th centuries. These new constellations helped people navigate and understand the whole sky. Different cultures, like those in India and China, also developed their own special ways of grouping stars into constellations.

Menzel's families

Donald H. Menzel, who worked at the Harvard Observatory, grouped many traditional constellations into families in his book A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets from 1975. He organized them so that all 88 modern constellations fit into his groups.

Ursa Major Family

The Ursa Major Family has 10 constellations near Ursa Major. These include Ursa Major, which has the famous Big Dipper, along with Ursa Minor, Draco, Canes Venatici, Boötes, Coma Berenices, Corona Borealis, Camelopardalis, Lynx, and Leo Minor.

Zodiac

Main article: Zodiac

The Zodiac has 12 constellations: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, Pisces. These constellations lie along the ecliptic, the path the sun appears to follow each year, and they match the zodiac signs.

Perseus Family

The Perseus Family includes constellations linked to the story of Perseus: Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Andromeda, Perseus, Pegasus, and Cetus. Menzel also added Auriga, Lacerta, and Triangulum.

Hercules Family

The Hercules Family is Menzel's largest group, stretching across the sky. It contains Hercules, Sagitta, Aquila, Lyra, Cygnus, Vulpecula, Hydra, Sextans, Crater, Corvus, Ophiuchus, Serpens, Scutum, Centaurus, Lupus, Corona Australis, Ara, Triangulum Australe, and Crux.

Orion Family

The Orion Family sits on the opposite side of the sky from Hercules. It includes Orion, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Lepus, and Monoceros. These constellations come from Greek myths about a hunter and his dogs chasing a hare.

Heavenly Waters

The Heavenly Waters group comes from old Mesopotamian ideas. It includes Delphinus, Equuleus, Eridanus, Piscis Austrinus, Carina, Puppis, Vela, Pyxis, and Columba. Carina, Puppis, and Vela used to be part of Argo Navis, the ship of Jason.

Bayer Family

The Bayer Family has southern constellations made by Petrus Plancius in the late 1500s, using observations by Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman. These include Hydrus, Dorado, Volans, Apus, Pavo, Grus, Phoenix, Tucana, Indus, Chamaeleon, and Musca. They circle the south celestial pole.

La Caille Family

The La Caille Family has 12 constellations made by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1756. They represent science tools and include Norma, Circinus, Telescopium, Microscopium, Sculptor, Fornax, Caelum, Horologium, Octans, Mensa, Reticulum, Pictor, and Antlia. These are faint stars not seen by ancient Greeks or Romans.