This page brings together all 22 constellations that start with the letter C, running alphabetically from “Caelum” to “Cygnus.” Some are bright and famous, easy to trace on a clear night, while others are faint patterns that need dark skies to reveal. Together they help stargazers find their way across the sky, learn the stories behind the stars, and plan when and where to look.

Constellations are patterns of stars that people have grouped together and named, often after animals, objects, or figures from myth and legend. Many of them date back thousands of years, while others, like Caelum and Circinus, were charted only a few centuries ago by European astronomers mapping the southern skies. They have long guided travelers, marked the seasons, and inspired countless cultural tales around the world.

Below you’ll find the table with Constellation, Hemisphere, Best Viewing Month, Notable Stars, and Description.

Constellation: The official name of each star pattern, listed alphabetically so you can quickly scan the list and find the one you want.

Hemisphere: Tells you whether the constellation appears mainly in the northern or southern sky, helping you know if it’s visible from where you live.

Best Viewing Month: Shows the time of year when the constellation sits highest and clearest, so you can plan the perfect evening to look up.

Notable Stars: Lists the brightest or most interesting stars in each pattern, giving you a handy guide for what to spot first when observing.

Description: Offers a short summary of each constellation’s shape, story, and standout features, so you understand what makes it worth finding in the sky.

Constellations

ConstellationHemisphereBest Viewing MonthNotable Stars
CaelumSouthernJanuaryAlpha Caeli, Gamma Caeli
CamelopardalisNorthernFebruaryBeta Camelopardalis, CS Camelopardalis
CancerNorthernMarchAcubens, Al Tarf, Asellus Australis
Canes VenaticiNorthernMayCor Caroli, Chara
Canis MajorSouthernFebruarySirius, Adhara, Wezen, Mirzam
Canis MinorNorthernMarchProcyon, Gomeisa
CapricornusSouthernSeptemberDeneb Algedi, Dabih, Algedi
CarinaSouthernMarchCanopus, Miaplacidus, Avior
CassiopeiaNorthernNovemberSchedar, Caph, Gamma Cassiopeiae
CentaurusSouthernMayAlpha Centauri, Hadar, Menkent
CepheusNorthernNovemberAlderamin, Alfirk, Errai
CetusSouthernNovemberDiphda, Menkar, Mira
ChamaeleonSouthernAprilAlpha Chamaeleontis, Gamma Chamaeleontis
CircinusSouthernJuneAlpha Circini, Beta Circini
ColumbaSouthernFebruaryPhact, Wazn
Coma BerenicesNorthernMayBeta Comae Berenices, Diadem
Corona AustralisSouthernAugustMeridiana, Beta Coronae Australis
Corona BorealisNorthernJulyAlphecca, Nusakan
CorvusSouthernMayGienah, Kraz, Algorab
CraterSouthernAprilAlkes, Beta Crateris
CruxSouthernMayAcrux, Mimosa, Gacrux
CygnusNorthernSeptemberDeneb, Sadr, Albireo

Descriptions

Caelum
A faint, small southern constellation representing a chisel or engraving tool. It contains no bright stars and was introduced in the 18th century by French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille.
Camelopardalis
A large but dim northern constellation depicting a giraffe. Despite its size, it has no stars brighter than fourth magnitude, making it tricky to spot under city skies.
Cancer
A faint zodiac constellation representing a crab. It is best known for the Beehive Cluster (Praesepe), a bright open star cluster visible to the naked eye under dark skies.
Canes Venatici
A small northern constellation depicting the hunting dogs of nearby Boötes. It is home to the famous Whirlpool Galaxy, a favorite target for amateur astronomers.
Canis Major
This bright constellation represents the larger of Orion’s two hunting dogs. It contains Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, making it easy to locate during winter evenings.
Canis Minor
A small constellation representing the smaller of Orion’s two hunting dogs. Its brightest star, Procyon, is one of the closest stars to Earth and shines prominently in winter.
Capricornus
An ancient zodiac constellation depicting a sea-goat, half goat and half fish. It is one of the faintest constellations of the zodiac but holds historical importance in astrology.
Carina
A bright southern constellation representing the keel of the mythical ship Argo Navis. It contains Canopus, the second-brightest star in the sky, and the spectacular Carina Nebula.
Cassiopeia
A prominent northern constellation shaped like a distinctive “W” or “M.” It represents a vain queen of Greek myth and is easy to find near the North Star year-round.
Centaurus
A large, bright southern constellation depicting a centaur. It hosts Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to our Sun, and the dazzling Omega Centauri globular cluster.
Cepheus
A northern constellation representing a mythical king and husband of Cassiopeia. It is home to several notable variable stars, including the prototype Cepheid variable Delta Cephei.
Cetus
A large constellation representing a sea monster or whale from Greek mythology. It contains Mira, a famous red giant whose brightness varies dramatically over a roughly 11-month cycle.
Chamaeleon
A small, faint southern constellation named after the color-changing lizard. Introduced in the late 16th century, it lies near the south celestial pole and has no bright stars.
Circinus
A tiny, faint southern constellation representing a drafting compass. Created by Lacaille in the 18th century, it sits next to the bright stars of Centaurus near the Milky Way.
Columba
A small southern constellation depicting a dove, often linked to the biblical story of Noah. It lies just south of the bright stars of Canis Major and Lepus.
Coma Berenices
A faint northern constellation named after the hair of Queen Berenice II of Egypt. It is rich in galaxies and contains a loose, sprawling star cluster visible to the naked eye.
Corona Australis
A small southern constellation representing the southern crown. Its curved arc of modest stars sits near the bright constellation Sagittarius along the rich band of the Milky Way.
Corona Borealis
A small but distinctive northern constellation forming a graceful semicircle, representing the northern crown. Its neat arc of stars makes it easy to recognize on summer evenings.
Corvus
A small but recognizable constellation depicting a crow or raven. Its compact quadrilateral of four stars stands out clearly against a relatively empty patch of the southern sky.
Crater
A faint southern constellation representing a cup or goblet, linked in myth to the crow of nearby Corvus. Its dim stars form a gentle arc that requires dark skies to appreciate.
Crux
The smallest of all constellations, famous as the Southern Cross. This iconic asterism is a key navigational marker for the Southern Hemisphere and appears on several national flags.
Cygnus
A prominent northern constellation depicting a swan flying along the Milky Way. Its bright cross-shaped pattern, the Northern Cross, includes Deneb, one corner of the Summer Triangle.
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