The Constellation Family

There are many families of constellations, constellations that are either close to one another in our view of the sky or have some other relationship (for example, depicting figures from a particular ancient myth). Some constellation families include:

• the Zodiac: 12 constellations are star groupings that lie along the ecliptic (the plane in which most of our Solar System lies). Usually, 12 constellations are listed in the Zodiac, but there is actually a thirteenth constellation that crosses the ecliptic, Ophiuchus (between Scorpio and Sagittarius). The signs of the Zodiac are Capricornus, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius.
• the Ursa Major Family: 10 constellations circling the northern celestial pole, including Ursa Major (containing the Big Dipper), Ursa Minor (containing Polaris, the northern pole star), Canes Venatici, Boötes, Coma Berenice, Corona Borealis, Camelopardalis, Lynx, Draco, and Leo Minor.
• the Perseus Family: 9 constellations depicting figures from the myth of Perseus, including Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Andromeda, Perseus, Pegasus, Cetus, Auriga, Lacerta, Triangulum.
• the Hercules Family: 19 constellations depicting figures from the myth of Heracles, including Hercules, Sagitta, Aquila, Lyra, Cygnus, Vulpecula, Hydra, Sextans, Crater, Corvus, Ophiuchus, Serpens, Scutum, Centaurus, Lupus, Corona Australis, Ara, Triangulum Australe, Crux.
• the Orion Family: 5 constellations, including Orion (the hunter), Canis Major and Canis Minor (Orion's two gods), Monoceros (the unicorn), Lepus (the hare).
• the Heavenly Waters (aka the Cosmic Waters): 9 constellations whose names are related to water, including Delphinus, Columba, Equuleus, Vela, Puppis, Eridanus, Piscis Austrinus, Carina, Pyxis,
• the Bayer Group: 11 Southern Hemisphere constellations depicting animals, named by Johann Bayer in 1603. Includes Hydrus, Dorado, Volans, Apus, Pavo, Grus, Phoenix, Tucana, Indus, Chamaeleon, Musca.
• the La Caille Family: 13 Southern Hemisphere constellations, named by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1756. Includes Norma, Fornax, Circinus, Telescopium, Microscopium, Sculptor, Caelum, Horologium, Antlia, Pictor, Reticulum, Octans, Mensa.