How many constellations are there? Here’s the short answer: There are 88 constellations.
But, there are so many stars that the human brain can comprehend them. When you think about that, 88 doesn’t really sound like a lot.
That’s where this story gets interesting. Let’s look at the bigger picture.
What Are Constellations?
To put it simply, constellations are groups of stars that form some sort of recognizable picture. From our vantage point on Earth, they consistently appear next to each other. In reality, they’re probably ridiculously far apart, but point of view is what really matters here.
They have been used for many things throughout history, such as navigation and storytelling. There have undoubtedly been more than 88 over the years, but a particular group decided to come to an officially recognized number to use in the modern era.
Who Is Responsible For These 88 Constellations?
Back in 1922, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) solidified the list we currently use. It took them a few years to iron out the details, but now every star has a 3-letter abbreviation and official boundaries.
The 88 IAU Constellations
Here’s the full list of the 88 constellations designated by the IAU:
- Andromeda
- Antlia
- Apus
- Aquarius
- Aquila
- Ara
- Aries
- Auriga
- Bootes
- Caelum
- Camelopardalis
- Cancer
- Canes Venatici
- Canis Major
- Canis Minor
- Capricornus
- Carina
- Cassiopeia
- Centaurus
- Cepheus
- Cetus
- Chamaeleon
- Circinus
- Columba
- Coma Berenices
- Corona Australis
- Corona Borealis
- Corvus
- Crater
- Crux
- Cygnus
- Delphinus
- Dorado
- Draco
- Equuleus
- Eridanus
- Fornax
- Gemini
- Grus
- Hercules
- Horologium
- Hydra
- Hydrus
- Indus
- Lacerta
- Leo
- Leo Minor
- Lepus
- Libra
- Lupus
- Lynx
- Lyra
- Mensa
- Microscopium
- Monoceros
- Musca
- Norma
- Octans
- Ophiuchus
- Orion
- Pavo
- Pegasus
- Perseus
- Phoenix
- Pictor
- Pisces
- Piscis Austrinus
- Puppis
- Pyxis
- Reticulum
- Sagitta
- Sagittarius
- Scorpius
- Sculptor
- Scutum
- Serpens
- Sextans
- Taurus
- Telescopium
- Triangulum
- Triangulum Australe
- Tucana
- Ursa Major
- Ursa Minor
- Vela
- Virgo
- Volans
- Vulpecula
How Many Constellations Are There In The Night Sky?
Asking “how many constellations are there in the night sky” is a great question because there isn’t a simple answer. It depends on a lot of factors, such as:
- Your location
- The time of year
- The amount of light pollution you have
Our planet is constantly moving in multiple ways, so that will really change what you can see when you look up.
Can I Make Up My Own Constellation?
Yes! It’s pretty unlikely you’ll convince the IAU to add it to their list, but don’t let that stop you. Ancient humans spent a lot more time looking up at the night sky than the average person does today, and they were able to do some pretty amazing things because of it. Why not follow their example.
