Constellations Along the Ecliptic
Sky Map
Celestial bearing and elevation at 18:29
The ecliptic constellations lie along the path followed by the Sun, Moon and planets across the sky.
Pisces
Constellation
Pisces, the fish, is a zodiac constellation representing two fish tied together by their tails and is associated with the Greek myth of Aphrodite and Eros.
Aries
Constellation
Aries, the ram, is a zodiac constellation located in the northern celestial hemisphere, associated with the story of the Golden Fleece in Greek mythology.
Taurus
Constellation
Taurus, the bull, is a zodiac constellation containing the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters and the bright star Aldebaran.
Gemini
Constellation
Gemini, the twins, is a zodiac constellation representing the mythological twins Castor and Pollux. It is known for its bright stars, Castor and Pollux, and its prominent place in the winter sky.
Cancer
Constellation
Cancer, the crab, is a small constellation in the zodiac, known for its dim stars and the open cluster Praesepe, or the Beehive Cluster.
Leo
Constellation
Leo, the lion, is a zodiac constellation best known for its bright star Regulus and its distinctive backward question mark or sickle shape.
Virgo
Constellation
Virgo, the maiden, is a large zodiac constellation associated with the goddess of fertility and agriculture, known for containing the bright star Spica.
Libra
Constellation
Libra, the scales, is a zodiac constellation symbolizing balance and fairness, located near the constellations Virgo and Scorpius.
Scorpius
Constellation
Scorpius, the scorpion, is a prominent constellation of the zodiac, home to the red supergiant star Antares and known for its scorpion shape.
Ophiuchus
Constellation
Ophiuchus, the serpent-bearer, is a large constellation in the southern sky, representing a man holding a serpent, often associated with healing.
Sagittarius
Constellation
Sagittarius, the archer, is a constellation symbolized by a centaur holding a bow and arrow, notable for pointing toward the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
Capricornus
Constellation
Capricornus, the sea-goat, is a zodiac constellation that is one of the oldest documented constellations, representing a creature that is part goat and part fish.
Aquarius
Constellation
Aquarius, the water bearer, is one of the oldest recognized constellations, symbolizing a man pouring water and part of the zodiac.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for defining and standardizing the official constellation boundaries used in celestial mapping.
Special thanks to Sky & Telescope Magazine and contributors Roger Sinnott and Rick Fienberg for producing the charts and tables. Alan MacRobert’s constellation patterns were influenced by the work of H. A. Rey and adjusted to align with earlier traditions.