Constellations Help

The settings in this view let you control the display of constellations - the mythical figures associated with the stars that have been formalized in modern times to define precisely-bounded areas of the sky.

Constellation Display

• Show Constellations: Sets whether constellations are displayed.
• as Traditional Lines: Displays constellations as stick-figures using traditional line patterns.
• as Modern Lines: Uses modern patterns based on H.A. Rey's 1952 book.
• as Mythical Figures: Displays constellations as images of mythological figures.
• as IAU Boundaries: Displays constellation boundaries formalized by the IAU in 1930.
• Show Zodiac Only: Shows only the twelve constellations of the Zodiac.
• Intensity: Controls the brightness of constellation lines and labels.
• Tap to Select: Sets whether constellations can be selected by tapping.

Constellation Names

• Show Names: Displays constellation names.
• Use Abbreviations: Shows official IAU abbreviations (e.g. "CMa") instead of full Latin names (e.g. "Canis Major").

Asterism Display

• Show Asterisms: Displays commonly-known star patterns not formally recognized as constellations (e.g. Big Dipper, Summer Triangle).
• Show Names: Displays asterism names.