Lists of stars by constellation

All stars, except one, belong to a group called a constellation. This was decided by the IAU (International Astronomical Union). These constellations are special areas in the sky. There are 88 official constellations. The sky is divided into 89 sections because the constellation Serpens is split into two parts: Serpens Caput (the snake’s head) and Serpens Cauda (the snake’s tail).

The only star that does not belong to a constellation is the Sun. The Sun moves through 13 constellations along a path in the sky called the ecliptic. These include the 12 constellations of the Zodiac and another one called Ophiuchus.

Some stars close to Earth move across the sky over time due to a motion called proper motion. Because of this, some stars may move from one constellation to another. In 1992, a star named Rho Aquilae was the first to change constellations. It moved from the constellation Aquila to become part of the neighboring constellation Delphinus. Its old name or Bayer designation is no longer used for it.

Stars can be grouped into special areas of the sky called constellations. There are 88 official constellations that astronomers use today. Each star belongs to one of these constellations, which helps us organize and study the night sky.

Here is a list of all the constellations, each with a link to learn more about the stars within them:

Criteria of inclusion

These lists show stars with special names, like Bayer, Flamsteed, HR, or Draper names. They also show stars that are very bright, very close to Earth (less than 20 light-years away), have planets, or are unusual, like neutron stars or black holes.

The lists are still growing, so there may be stars that belong here but are not yet added. If you find one, you can help by adding it.