15 Famous Constellations You Can See In The Night Sky | Animation

[0:17]Aquarius the Water Bearer is a large but faint constellation in the Southern sky. Aquarius is a constellation of the Zodiac and one of the oldest documented constellations. Aquarius was recorded in the second century by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy. Its name means "cup bearer" or "water bearer" in Latin. Aquila is a constellation on the celestial equator. Its name is Latin for "eagle" and it represents the bird that carried Zeus/Jupiter's thunderbolts in Greek-Roman mythology. Its brightest star, Altair, is one vertex of the Summer Triangle asterism. Aries Constellation represents a ram's horns. The constellation is usually associated with the story of the Golden Fleece in Greek mythology. Like other zodiac constellations, Aries was first catalogued by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. Canis Major represents the bigger dog following Orion, the hunter in Greek mythology. The dog is often depicted pursuing a hare, represented by the constellation Lepus. The smaller dog is represented by the neighboring constellation Canis Minor. Both constellations were first catalogued by Ptolemy in the 2nd century. Cassiopeia is a constellation in the northern sky, named after the vain queen Cassiopeia in Greek mythology, who boasted about her unrivaled beauty. Cassiopeia was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century Greek astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations today. Cygnus is a prominent constellation in the northern sky. Its name means the swan in Latin, and it is also known as the Swan constellation. Cygnus is associated with the myth of Zeus and Leda as the Swan constellation. Gemini constellation represents the twins Castor and Polydeuces in Greek mythology. The brothers were also known as the Dioscuri, which means sons of Zeus. In most versions of the myth, however, only Polydeuces was Zeus' son, and Castor was the son of Mortal King Tyndareus of Sparta. Leo constellation lies in the northern sky. Leo represents the lion and is usually associated with the Nemean lion in Greek mythology. The constellation was first catalogued by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century, along with all the other constellations of the zodiac. Lyra constellation lies in the northern sky. It represents the lyre, a musical instrument with strings used in antiquity and later times. The constellation is associated with the myth of the Greek musician Orpheus. Orion is the most prominent constellation that is visible throughout the world. The name comes from Orion, a hunter in Ancient Greek mythology that placed amongst the stars by Zeus. This constellation was held to symbolize many gods and mythical figures all around the world. Pisces constellation lies in the northern sky. Its name means the fish plural in Latin. Pisces lies between Aries constellation to the East and Aquarius to the West. The two celestial fish represent Venus and Cupid in Roman mythology, who transformed themselves into fish in order to escape the monster Typhon. Scorpius constellation lies in the southern sky. It represents the scorpion and is associated with the story of Orion in Greek mythology. Scorpius is one of the Zodiac constellations, first catalogued by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. Scorpius pre-dates the 2nd century and is one of the oldest constellations known. According to Greek mythology, the constellation Taurus commemorates the god Zeus changing himself into a beautiful white Bull to win the affections of the Phoenicia and princess Europa. After Europa hopped onto the Bull's back, the Bull swam across the Mediterranean Sea, taking Europa all the way to the island of Crete. Ursa Major also known as the Great Bear, is a constellation in the Northern sky, whose associated mythology likely dates back into prehistory. It's Latin name means greater or larger she bear, referring to and contrasting it with nearby Ursa Minor, the lesser bear. Ursa Minor represents a small bear with a long tail. It was one of the original constellations known to the ancient Greeks. The constellation is named after Ida, who nursed the infant Zeus, king of the ancient Greek gods, although it is not clear why she is depicted as a little bear.