Coloring Pages for Kids
Constellation Coloring Pages
Welcome to our Constellation coloring pages section.
Constellations, the patterns of stars in the night sky, have fascinated humans for millennia. These celestial groupings often resemble animals, mythological creatures, and various objects, each with its own story and significance. Constellations serve as a map of the night sky, guiding explorers and inspiring countless myths and legends across cultures. This section celebrates the beauty and wonder of constellations, highlighting their astronomical importance and the rich tapestry of stories they represent.
Andromeda
Andromeda, the Chained Princess, is a large and graceful constellation that stretches across the autumn sky. According to Greek mythology, Andromeda was the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia. After her mother boasted that Andromeda was more beautiful than the sea nymphs, she was chained to a rock as an offering to the sea monster Cetus. The hero Perseus rescued her and the two were married. It’s easy to spot because it looks like a long, gentle V made of bright stars branching out from the corner of the Great Square of Pegasus. Best of all, it holds the Andromeda Galaxy, a fuzzy patch of light you can see without a telescope in a dark sky. This constellation is best seen in the northern hemisphere during autumn, high overhead on October and November evenings.
Corona Borealis
Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, is a small but charming constellation shaped like a delicate half-circle of stars. According to Greek mythology, it represents the jeweled crown that Dionysus gave to Ariadne, the Cretan princess who was abandoned on the island of Naxos by Theseus. When Ariadne married the god, he tossed her crown into the sky so it would shine forever. It’s easy to spot because its seven stars form a neat curved arc, like a tiny tiara, near the bright star Arcturus. The brightest star in the crown is called Alphecca, or the Gem. This constellation is best seen in the northern hemisphere during late spring and summer, high overhead on June and July evenings.
Delphinus
Delphinus, the Dolphin, is a small but delightful constellation that can be seen in the night sky. According to Greek mythology, Delphinus represents a dolphin that helped the poet Arion escape from pirates. It's easy to spot because it looks like a tiny diamond or a kite. This constellation is located near the celestial equator, making it visible from most places on Earth during late summer and early fall.
Leo
Leo, the Lion, is a bold and easy-to-recognize constellation that looks like a great lion resting in the sky. According to Greek mythology, Leo represents the Nemean Lion, a fierce beast with golden fur that no weapon could pierce. The hero Herakles defeated it as the first of his Twelve Labors, using his bare hands, and then wore its skin as a cloak. It’s easy to spot because of the Sickle, a backward question mark of stars that forms the lion’s head and mane. The brightest star, Regulus, marks the lion’s heart and is known as the Little King. This constellation is best seen in the northern hemisphere during spring, high overhead on April and May evenings.
Pegasus
Pegasus, the Winged Horse, is one of the largest and most recognizable constellations in the night sky. According to Greek mythology, Pegasus was the magical flying horse born from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa when Perseus defeated her. Later, the hero Bellerophon tamed Pegasus and rode him into battle against the fearsome Chimera. It’s easy to spot because of the Great Square of Pegasus, four bright stars that form a giant box in the sky. This constellation is best seen in the northern hemisphere during autumn, high overhead on October and November evenings.
Perseus
Perseus, the Hero, is a bold constellation that sits in the northern sky near the “family” of Andromeda, Cassiopeia, and Cepheus. According to Greek mythology, Perseus was the brave hero who cut off the head of the Gorgon Medusa and later rescued Princess Andromeda from the sea monster Cetus. In the sky, he is shown holding Medusa’s head, which is marked by the star Algol, the Demon Star, that seems to wink as it dims and brightens every few days. It’s easy to spot because its stars form a shape like a stick figure striding across the sky, just below the W of Cassiopeia. Perseus is also home to a double star cluster, a pair of sparkling groups of stars you can spot with binoculars. This constellation is best seen in the northern hemisphere during autumn and winter, high overhead on November and December evenings.
Pleiades
The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, is a cluster of stars that forms a part of the Taurus constellation. In Greek mythology, these stars represent the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione. The Pleiades are some of the brightest stars in the night sky and are often used to test one's eyesight--if you can see all seven stars, you have sharp vision! They are best seen in the winter months and are known for their beautiful, sparkling appearance.
Ursa Major
Ursa Major, the Great Bear, is one of the most famous and easily recognizable constellations. It contains the Big Dipper, a group of seven bright stars that resemble a ladle or dipper. The Big Dipper is often used to find the North Star, Polaris, which is part of the Little Dipper in the Ursa Minor constellation. Ursa Major is visible all year round in the northern hemisphere and has been a helpful guide for travelers and sailors for centuries.
Starry Night
by Vincent Van Gogh
(Dutch artist)
Greek Zodiac and Constellations
The Greek Zodiac is a circle of twelve constellations that lie along the plane of the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the sky over the course of a year. Each zodiac sign is associated with a particular constellation and has its own mythology and characteristics.
