Constellations of the Zodiac

A photographic field guide

During the course of one year, the earth orbits around the sun. From the earth's point of view the sun appears to shift through a background of many different constellations. This apparent path of the sun is called ecliptic and the constellations along this path define the circle of the zodiac.

Visual - Deep
For every constellation there is a "deep" exposed image showing a wealth of faint stars under a dark sky. Furthermore a different "visual" image is presented showing only the brighter stars. This image, along with an included horizon, resembles much more the impression of the starry sky we have by naked eye.
Planets
The other planets do move in almost the same plane around the sun as the earth does. Therefore they are always visible close to the ecliptic, but are not fixed with respect to the stars. Planets appearing on the photos are mentioned below the image data.
Poster of the Zodiac Constellations
Visual Mosaic

Aries, the ram Taurus, the bull Gemini, the twins
Constellation Aries
visual
deep, #2 Constellation Taurus
visual, #2
deep, #2, #3 Constellation Gemini
visual, #2, #3
deep, #2

Cancer, the crab Leo, the lion Virgo, the virgin
Constellation Cancer
visual, #2
deep, #2 Constellation Leo
visual
deep, #2 Constellation Virgo
visual
deep, #2, #3, #4

Libra, the scales Scorpius, the scorpion Sagittarius, the archer
Constellation Libra
visual
deep, #2 Constellation Scorpius
visual
deep, #2 Constellation Sagittarius
visual
deep, #2

Capricornus, the goat Aquarius, the water bearer Pisces, the fishes
Constellation Capricornus
visual
deep Constellation Aquarius
visual
deep, #2 Constellation Pisces
visual
deep, #2

Aries, the ram		Taurus, the bull		Gemini, the twins
visual	deep, #2	visual, #2	deep, #2, #3	visual, #2, #3	deep, #2
Cancer, the crab		Leo, the lion		Virgo, the virgin
visual, #2	deep, #2	visual	deep, #2	visual	deep, #2, #3, #4
Libra, the scales		Scorpius, the scorpion		Sagittarius, the archer
visual	deep, #2	visual	deep, #2	visual	deep, #2
Capricornus, the goat		Aquarius, the water bearer		Pisces, the fishes
visual	deep	visual	deep, #2	visual	deep, #2