Zodiac Constellations
Click here to get Zodiac Worksheet

  The constellations of the Zodiac are constellations that are viewed along the plane on which the planets orbit our sun, or the plane of the ecliptic. There are thirteen  constellations that are viewed along this plane, but only twelve are Zodiac signs. People use the zodiac constellations to determine horoscopes.  Below is a table of general information about each constellation of the Zodiac.



Constellation
What it is
Zodiac Window
RA
Dec.
Capricorn Goat December 22-January 20
18
-23.44
Aquarius Water Bearer January 21-February 18
20
-20.15
Pisces Fish February 19-March 20
22
-11.47
Aries Ram March 21-April 20
0
0.00
Taurus Bull April 21-May 20
2
11.47
Gemini Twins May 21-June 21
4
20.15
Cancer Crab June 22-July 22
6
23.44
Leo Lion July 23-August 23
8
20.15
Virgo Virgin August 24-September 22
10
11.47
Libra Scales September 23-October 23
12
0.00
Scorpio Scorpion October 24-November 22
14
-11.47
Sagittarius Archer November 23-December 21
16
-20.15

 
 
Capricorn: The constellation Capricorn or Capricornus, is supposedly one of the earliest constellations of the Zodiac. Many people think that the Capricorn's name means the "sea goat" or the "goat fish", but in reality when you translate it's name from mythology, it means horned goat.
Aquarius: The constellation Aquarius represents the cup-bearer. The cup bearer gave drinks to the Gods on Olympus in Greek mythology. Aquarius was also Ganymede. The constellation also represented water in other cultures other than Greek.
Pisces: Pisces represents two fish in Greek mythology. In the myth Gaia the earth goddess' youngest son, Typhon was so great,and bad that the Gods didn't even want to fight him. So when Typhon attacked Olympus the Gods left and went to Egypt, and disguised theirselves as animals. Aphrodite and Eros were fish, that swam down the Nile into Egypt. There fish like figure was later placed in the sky.
Aries: In Greek mythology Aries was the ram. In ancient times the sun was believed to have passed through Aries on the Vernal Equinox. Aries was also possibly the ram that had the golden fleece which many fighters or heroes of the time searched for.
Taurus: The constellation Taurus represents the Bull. In Greek mythology the bull was Zeus when he turned into a bull to capture the love of a woman named Europa. Taurus was also killed by Orion.
Gemini: In Greek mythology the twins of Gemini weren't really twins, they were half-brothers. The two brothers had the same mom but different dads. Castor and Pullox the twins were very close. When castor was killed, Pullox was so sad, Zeus let him visit Castor in the underworld. Later Zeus put the two next to each other in the heavens.
Cancer: The constellation Cancer, represents the crab. Cancer was sent by Hydra to fight against Heracles (Hercules), and bother him while fighting the monster Hydra in his second labor. Cancer is located near Gemini and Leo.
Leo: The constellation Leo the Lion is said to represent Nemean the lion in Greek mythology. Nemean's skin was resistant to all weapons. The Greek hero Heracles (Hercules), fought Nemean, choked him, and killed him, in his first labor. After killing Nemean Heracles skinned him, and wore the skin for protection when he fought Hydra. Leo is located between Viro, and Cancer.
Virgo: Virgo is the second largest constellation in the sky. It represents a virgin or maiden. Virgo also announces the harvest. Virgo is the goddess of justice. The scales of libra are her symbol. They are positioned next to her in the night sky.
Libra: The constellation Libra represents the scales or balance, and it was th symbol for equality. The sun passes through Libra on the equinoxes, when day and night are equal around the world.
Scorpio: Scorpio was a scorpion sent to kill Orion by Gaia, the Earth goddess, because Orion bragged that he would kill all the beasts on earth. Scorpio is one of the oldest constellations in our sky.
Sagittarius: The constellation sagittarius is the archer. Sagittarius was a centaur, this means he was half human, and half horse. This constellation is one of the oldest known in the sky.

  Learn more about the Zodiac Constellations

Astronomy Home Page
Assignments


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

If you're reading this you've gone too far. Scroll up!
hehehehe