{"id":9182,"date":"2024-06-19T08:19:56","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T12:19:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fas37.org\/wp\/?p=9182"},"modified":"2025-07-20T03:54:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T07:54:14","slug":"how-to-pronounce-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fas37.org\/wp\/how-to-pronounce-it\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Pronounce It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FAS Astronomers Blog, Volume 32, Number 6<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astronomical names are not always the easiest to pronounce. Many are derived from Latin, Greek, or another more exotic language. Star names, in particular, often come from Arabic and from a time when astronomy was kept alive in the Middle East during the dark ages in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several sources available, but for constellations, the International Astronomical Union does have its semi-official suggestions<\/a>. Wikipedia can also be useful in determining, maybe not the officially correct pronunciation but, one that is accepted by many. I\u2019ve found a few others as well (see sources below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, here is my attempt to provide unofficial pronunciations for several objects. Hopefully, most are correct, however, I suspect that a few are not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also important to write the name of these objects with the correct capitalization. The International Astronomical Union has a few guidelines <\/a>to help us. They also have guidelines on how various objects are named.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here are some pronunciation notes for the constellations (mostly from The Constellations (IAU)<\/a>, space.com,<\/a> and Wikipedia<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aquila <\/strong>can be either uh-QUILL-uh<\/em> or ACK-will-uh<\/em>. I use ah-QUILL-ah<\/em>. space.com has ack-WILL-lah<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bo\u00f6tes<\/strong> is Bo-OH-tees<\/em> and not Boot-ees<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capricornus<\/strong> is CAP-rih-CORN-us and not CAP-rih-CORN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cassiopeia<\/strong> is CASS-ee-uh-PEE-uh<\/em>, and not CASS-ee-OH-pee-ah<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three options for Cepheus<\/strong>: SEE-fyoos<\/em>, SEE-fee-us,<\/em> SEF-ee-us<\/em>. I use SEE-fee-us<\/em>. Space.com agrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delphinus <\/strong>can be del-FIN-us<\/em> or del-FINE-us,<\/em> del<\/em>. I use del-FIN-us<\/em>, which is similar to space.com’s del-FYE-nus<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gemini<\/strong> can be JEM-uh-nye<\/em> or JEM-uh-nee. <\/em>The second is sometimes used for the Gemini space program. I use the first for the constellation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Libra<\/strong> can be LEE-bruh<\/em> or LYE-bruh. <\/em>I use the former, which is very close to space.com\u2019s LEE-bra<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ophiuchus<\/strong> can be OFF-ee-YOO-kus<\/em> or OAF-ee-YOO-kus<\/em>. I\u2019ve been using OAF-ee-YOU-kus<\/em>, which is closer to what space.com uses. However, they have it as Oaf-ih-YOU-kus<\/em>, with an ih rather than ee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orion <\/strong>can be oh-RYE-un<\/em> or uh-RYE-un<\/em>. I think most use the former.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perseus<\/strong> can be PER-see-us<\/em> or PER-syoos<\/em>. I think most use the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sagitta<\/strong> is suh-JIT-uh<\/em>. I\u2019ve also heard it pronounced as SAH-ji-tah<\/em>, which is more like it is spelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scorpius<\/strong> is SCOR-pee-us<\/em> and not SOR-pee-oh<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taurus<\/strong> is TOR-us<\/em> and not TAR-us<\/em>. I say it wrong all the time. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Below are the pronunciations for a few planets, dwarf planets, and moons<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uranus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n