Star Constellations | The Zodiac

The 12 zodiac constellations are the star patterns that lie along the ecliptic, the apparent path followed by the Sun across the sky during the year. They are important in astronomy because the Sun, Moon and planets all appear to move through this region of the sky.

These constellations also form the basis of the zodiac signs used in astrology. However, the astronomical constellations vary greatly in size and do not correspond exactly with the traditional astrological date ranges. They are just 12 members of the 88 officially recognised constellations found in the night sky.

How long does the Sun spend in each Zodiac Constellation?

Since the Sun appears in front of a zodiac constellation during the daytime, the sight is obscured from view. If we could see the stars during the daytime, though, we would see the Sun slowly drift from one zodiac constellation to the next over time, as it completes one full circle around the sky every year.

In astrology, the zodiac constellations familiar to us as astrology signs are neatly divided into 12 segments of sky 30° of longitude wide. The Sun then spends around one month in each of the zodiac signs as it makes its one annual 360° trek across the sky.

In astronomy, however, the degrees of longitude marking each zodiac constellation are not equally sized. As such, the number of days the Sun spends in each zodiac constellation varies accordingly. This can be seen in the following list, which includes an unofficial thirteenth zodiac constellation called Ophiuchus, whose modern boundary also intersects the ecliptic:

Sagittarius (32 days), Capricornus (23 days), Aquarius (24 days), Pisces (38 days), Aries (25 days), Taurus (37 days), Gemini (31 days), Cancer (20 days), Leo (37 days), Virgo (45 days), Libra (23 days), Scorpius (7 days), Ophiuchus (18 days).

Why Isn’t Ophiuchus One Of The Zodiac Signs?

The section above reveals an interesting fact about the zodiac. While astrology is traditionally based on 12 zodiac signs, the Sun’s path across the sky actually passes through a thirteenth constellation called Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer.

Modern constellation boundaries established by the International Astronomical Union show that the Sun spends around 18 days in Ophiuchus each year between Scorpius and Sagittarius. This has led some people to argue that there should be 13 zodiac signs rather than 12.

However, the traditional zodiac used in astrology was established more than 2,000 years ago and has remained unchanged ever since. As a result, Ophiuchus is recognised as an astronomical constellation but is not included among the 12 zodiac signs.

Ophiuchus contains several notable objects, including Barnard’s Star, one of the nearest stars to the Solar System, and Kepler’s Supernova Remnant, the remains of a stellar explosion observed in 1604.

Explore the Zodiac Constellations by season

The table below ranks these constellations by their best viewing month, while also noting their traditional zodiac date range, brightest stars, key deep sky objects, and active meteor showers with date ranges.

Zodiac Constellations

Capricornus

• Capricornus is the smallest and one of the faintest zodiac constellations, often overlooked in the night sky despite being one of the oldest known star patterns, dating back to ancient Sumer.
• It depicts a sea-goat — a mythical creature with the head and upper body of a goat and the tail of a fish — symbolizing the union of earth and water, ambition and intuition.
• The Sumerians associated Capricornus with Enki, their god of wisdom, water, and creation, while later Greek myths linked it to Pan, who transformed into a sea-goat to escape the monster Typhon.
• In astrology, Capricorn is ruled by Saturn and linked to traits such as discipline, perseverance, and responsibility — fitting for a sign that traditionally marks the winter solstice.
• To spot Capricornus, look for its faint, kite-shaped triangle low in the southern sky on early autumn evenings, nestled between Aquarius and Sagittarius.

Aquarius

• Aquarius is a sprawling and ancient constellation long associated with seasonal rains and life-giving waters in many early civilizations.
• In Greek mythology, it represents Ganymede, a beautiful youth taken to Olympus by Zeus to serve as the divine cupbearer.
• Its stars are faint and widely scattered, but include notable yellow supergiants like Sadalsuud (“luck of lucks”) and Sadalmelik (“luck of the king”).
• The constellation’s annual reappearance was linked to flooding in cultures like the Egyptians, who saw it as the god Hapi measuring the Nile.
• Best viewed under dark skies in October, Aquarius resembles a “water jar” pouring a stream of stars toward the Southern Fish.

Pisces

• Pisces represents two fish bound by a cord, a symbol drawn from myths of Aphrodite and Eros escaping the monster Typhon.
• Long associated with intuition and duality, Pisces also marks the current astrological age, believed to influence spiritual and cultural tides.
• Despite its size, Pisces is composed of faint stars like Eta Piscium and Alrescha, requiring patience and dark skies to trace its graceful arc.
• The constellation lies in the “Sea” region of the sky, home to other water-themed constellations, and hosts deep-sky wonders like the face-on spiral galaxy M74.
• Look for a wide, faint “V” shape between Aquarius and Aries in November skies, with the Great Square of Pegasus helping to frame its western end.
  

Aries

• Aries has ancient roots dating back to Babylonian times and was tied to agriculture and hired workers.
• In Greek mythology, it represents the golden ram that rescued Phrixus and Helle, inspiring the Argonauts’ quest for the Golden Fleece.
• Though relatively faint, Aries was once key in marking the astrological new year and the vernal equinox.
• The May Arietids meteor shower, associated with Aries, is a strong daytime shower peaking in early June.
• To find Aries, look for a curved line of three moderately bright stars rising in the northeastern sky during November, between Pisces and Taurus near the Great Square of Pegasus.

Taurus

• Taurus is one of the most recognizable constellations, famous for its V-shaped Hyades cluster forming the bull’s head and the bright red giant star Aldebaran as its fiery eye.
• In Greek mythology, Taurus represents the white bull Zeus transformed into to abduct Europa, and is linked to the legend of the Minotaur, the half-bull monster of Crete.
• The Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, lies near Taurus’s “back” and is one of the easiest and most beautiful open clusters to spot in the night sky.
• The Crab Nebula (M1), located in Taurus, is the remnant of a supernova explosion observed in 1054 CE, visible even during daylight.
• To find Taurus, look northwest of Orion during autumn and winter in the northern hemisphere, spotting Aldebaran’s reddish glow and the distinctive V-shape of the Hyades cluster.

Gemini

• Gemini represents the legendary twin brothers Castor and Pollux, symbols of duality and loyalty, whose stories are deeply rooted in Greek mythology.
• Pollux is an orange giant star, while Castor is a complex system of six stars bound together, making the constellation unique in its bright twin stars.
• Gemini is one of the 30 largest constellations, with its distinctive shape resembling two figures holding hands, clearly marked by its two brightest stars.
• The constellation hosts interesting deep-sky objects like the Eskimo Nebula and the open cluster Messier 35, adding rich targets for amateur astronomers.
• To find Gemini in the night sky, look for two bright stars shining close together above Orion in the eastern sky during February.

Cancer

• In Greek mythology, Cancer represents the giant crab sent by Hera to distract Hercules during his battle with the Hydra; the crab was crushed but immortalized in the sky for its bravery.
• Cancer is the faintest zodiac constellation but is famous for containing the Beehive Cluster (M44), a stunning open star cluster visible to the naked eye as a misty patch.
• Despite its faint stars, Cancer hosts several fascinating deep-sky objects, including ancient open clusters and spiral galaxies that make it a rewarding target for amateur astronomers with telescopes.
• Cancer has a unique place in ancient lore as the “Gate of Men,” a concept from Babylonian and later Hellenistic astronomy, believed to be the portal through which souls descended from the heavens to be born as humans on Earth..
• To find Cancer, look for a faint inverted “Y” shape of stars in the March night sky, nestled between the brighter constellations Gemini and Leo; binoculars will reveal the famous Beehive Cluster near its center.

Leo

• Leo is easily recognized by its bright blue-white star Regulus and a distinctive backward question mark of stars called “the Sickle,” representing the lion’s mane.
• In Greek mythology, Leo represents the invincible Nemean Lion slain by Hercules in his first labor; its impenetrable skin made it a fearsome beast until Hercules strangled it and wore its pelt as armor.
• Regulus, the bright heart of Leo, has been revered as a royal star since ancient Babylonian times, symbolizing kingship and leadership across Babylonian, Persian, and medieval traditions.
• Leo contains several notable stars and deep-sky objects, including five Messier galaxies and Wolf 359, one of the closest stars to Earth. It also hosts the Huge-LQG, the third largest known structure in the universe.
• To locate Leo, first find the Big Dipper, then follow its pointer stars to Regulus. Leo’s sickle-shaped mane appears as a backward question mark in the eastern sky on April evenings.

Virgo

• Virgo, the second-largest constellation in the sky, is home to Spica, a brilliant blue giant and part of the Spring Triangle asterism.
• The constellation is often linked with Astraea, the Greek goddess of justice and innocence, said to be the last immortal to abandon Earth during the decline of the Golden Age; across cultures, Virgo symbolizes purity, justice, and the harvest.
• Spica, meaning “ear of grain,” highlights Virgo’s deep ties to agriculture—a theme rooted in Babylonian and Greco-Roman mythology.
• Virgo is rich in deep-sky objects, including the Virgo Cluster, Sombrero Galaxy, and M87, making it a treasure trove for galaxy hunters.
• Look for Spica shining below the arc of the Big Dipper’s handle in the southern sky during May.

Libra

• Libra is the only zodiac constellation that represents an object — the scales — symbolizing balance, justice, and law.
• In ancient Greece, Libra was part of Scorpius, representing the scorpion’s claws; the Romans later redefined it as a separate constellation tied to Astraea, the goddess of justice.
• Its brightest stars still bear the legacy of their scorpion origins: Zubenelgenubi (“Southern Claw”) and Zubeneschamali (“Northern Claw”), the latter of which some observers see as faintly green.
• Libra contains intriguing features, including the ancient star Methuselah — possibly older than the Universe itself — and the red dwarf Gliese 581, which hosts several planets, including one in the habitable zone.
• To find Libra in the night sky, look in June between the bright stars Spica (in Virgo) and Antares (in Scorpius); its stars form a wide, faint quadrilateral.

Scorpius

• Scorpius is a stunning constellation shaped like a scorpion, anchored by the fiery red supergiant Antares at its heart.
• In Greek myth, it was sent to kill Orion, so the gods placed them apart — never seen in the sky at the same time, to keep them from fighting again.
• Scorpius lies along the Milky Way and is rich in bright stars, star clusters (like M6 and M7), and deep-sky objects like the Butterfly and Cat’s Paw nebulae.
• Across cultures, Scorpius has symbolized passion, danger, and rebirth, tied to its dramatic form and brilliant stars.
• Look low in the southern sky on summer nights—especially July—to spot its distinctive hook shape and glowing heart star, Antares.

Sagittarius

• Sagittarius is symbolized by a centaur archer, aiming an arrow at the red heart of Scorpius, the star Antares.
• It’s often linked to Chiron, the wise and noble centaur of Greek mythology, placed among the stars by Zeus.
• The constellation lies in the direction of the Milky Way’s center and contains more Messier objects than any other, including the Lagoon, Trifid, and Omega nebulae.
• Sagittarius hosts Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy, invisible but detected by powerful telescopes.
• Look south on August evenings for the “Teapot,” whose spout seems to pour steam into the Milky Way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Zodiac Constellations

What are the zodiac constellations?

The zodiac constellations are the star patterns located along the ecliptic, the apparent path followed by the Sun across the sky during the year. The Moon and planets also appear to travel through this same region.

What are the 12 zodiac constellations in order?

The traditional 12 zodiac constellations are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius and Pisces.

Are zodiac signs and zodiac constellations the same?

Not exactly. Zodiac signs divide the ecliptic into 12 equal sections of 30 degrees, while the astronomical constellations vary greatly in size. The traditional astrological dates therefore do not correspond precisely with the modern constellation boundaries.

Why are there 12 zodiac signs but 13 zodiac constellations?

Astrology traditionally uses 12 zodiac signs, but the Sun also passes through Ophiuchus under the modern astronomical boundaries. Ophiuchus is therefore sometimes described as the thirteenth zodiac constellation, although it is not included as a traditional zodiac sign.

Which is the largest zodiac constellation?

Virgo is the largest zodiac constellation and the second-largest constellation in the entire night sky. It covers a much greater area than smaller zodiac constellations such as Capricornus and Cancer.