Astronomical symbols

From Free net encyclopedia

Astronomical symbols are symbols used to represent various celestial objects, theoretical constructs and observational events in astronomy. Many of the symbols are shared with astrology. The symbols listed here are commonly used by professional and amateur astronomers, and some are shared with astrology though there are differences depending on what part of the world you are in. (European glyphs differ slightly from American, for example)

1 Miscellaneous symbols
2 Symbols of planets
3 Zodiacal symbols
4 See also
5 External links

[edit]

Miscellaneous symbols

name	symbol	Unicode
comet	☄	U+2604
Sun	☉	U+2609
ascending node	☊	U+260A
descending node	☋	U+260B
conjunction	☌	U+260C
opposition	☍	U+260D

[edit]

Symbols of planets

name	symbol	Unicode	image	Represented by image
first quarter Moon	☽	U+263D	Image:Moon symbol.ant.png	crescent moon (increscent)
last quarter Moon	☾	U+263E	Image:Moon symbol lq.ant.png	crescent moon (decrescent)
Mercury	☿	U+263F	Image:Mercury symbol.ant.png	Mercury's winged helmet and caduceus
Venus	♀	U+2640	Image:Venus symbol.ant.png	Venus' hand mirror
Earth	⊕	U+2295	Image:Earth symbol.ant.png	globe with equator and a meridian
Mars	♂	U+2642	Image:Mars symbol.ant.png	Mars' shield and spear
Jupiter	♃	U+2643	Image:Jupiter symbol.ant.png	Jupiter's thunderbolt or eagle
Saturn	♄	U+2644	Image:Saturn symbol.ant.png	Saturn's sickle or scythe
Uranus	♅	U+2645	Image:Uranus symbol.ant.png	H for William Herschel
Neptune	♆	U+2646	Image:Neptune symbol.ant.png	Neptune's trident
Pluto	♇	U+2647	Image:Pluto symbol.ant.png	PL monogram for Pluto and Percival Lowell

An image of these symbols is available from NASA.

[edit]

Zodiacal symbols

name	translation	symbol	Unicode
Aries	ram	♈	U+2648
Taurus	bull	♉	U+2649
Gemini	twins	♊	U+264A
Cancer	crab	♋	U+264B
Leo	lion	♌	U+264C
Virgo	virgin	♍	U+264D
Libra	scale	♎	U+264E
Scorpio	scorpion	♏	U+264F
Sagittarius	archer	♐	U+2650
Capricorn	sea-goat	♑	U+2651
Aquarius	waterbearer	♒	U+2652
Pisces	fish	♓	U+2653