Astronomical symbols are symbols used to represent various celestial objects, theoretical constructs and observational events in astronomy. The symbols listed here are commonly used by professional and amateur astronomers.[citation needed] Many of the symbols are shared with western astrology, which uses multiple variant forms.
[edit] Symbols
Planets |
Name | Symbol | Unicode | Unicode Display | Symbol Represents |
Mercury |  | #9791; | ☿ | Mercury's winged helmet and caduceus |
Venus |  | #9792; | ♀ | Venus' hand mirror |
Earth |  | #8853; | ⊕ | Globe with equator and a meridian |
 | #9793; | ♁ | globus cruciger |
Mars |  | #9794; | ♂ | Mars' shield and spear |
Jupiter |  | #9795; | ♃ | Jupiter's thunderbolt, eagle or "Z" for Zeus, Jupiter's Greek name.[1] |
Saturn |  | #9796; | ♄ | Saturn's sickle or scythe |
Uranus |  |
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| One of the two symbols for platinum or a combination of the symbols for Mars and the Sun |
 | #9797; | ♅ | "H" from the discoverer's last name (Herschel) |
Neptune |  | #9798; | ♆ | Neptune's trident |
Dwarf Planets |
Name | Symbol | Unicode | Unicode Display | Symbol Represents |
Ceres |  | #9907; | ⚳ | Handle-down sickle; cf. the handle-up sickle symbol of Saturn |
Pluto |  | #9799; | ♇ | PL monogram for Pluto and Percival Lowell |
Haumea | No symbol | No symbol, no unicode | No unicode, no display | No symbol, no description |
Makemake | No symbol | No symbol, no unicode | No unicode, no display | No symbol, no description |
Eris | No symbol | No symbol, no unicode | No unicode, no display | Unlikely to gain an official symbol (although there have been a number of proposals, such as the Hand of Eris ) |
Asteroids |
Name | Symbol | Unicode | Unicode Display | Symbol Represents |
2 Pallas |  | #9908; | ⚴ | Modified symbol for female/Shield of Athena? |
3 Juno |  | #9909; | ⚵ | Peacock (totem of Juno). |
4 Vesta |  | #9910; | ⚶ | Hearth or fire-altar. |
5 Astraea |  |
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| Anchor (inverted), or possibly scales of justice. |
6 Hebe |  |
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| Cup |
7 Iris |  |
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| Rainbow with star under it (asteroid means star-like) |
8 Flora |  |
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| Stylised flower |
9 Metis |  |
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| Eye, with star above it (asteroid means star-like) |
10 Hygeia |  |
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| Rod of Asclepius |
11 Parthenope |  |
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12 Victoria |  |
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14 Irene | Never drawn |
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| Described as "A dove carrying an olive-branch, with a star on its head" |
15 Eunomia |  |
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28 Bellona |  |
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35 Leukothea |  |
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37 Fides |  |
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Moons |
Name | Symbol | Unicode | Unicode Display | Symbol Represents |
Moon (crescent) |  | #9789; | ☽ | A crescent moon |
Moon (decrescent) |  | #9790; | ☾ | A decrescent moon |
Other Celestial Bodies |
Name | Symbol | Unicode | Unicode Display | Symbol Represents |
Sun |  | #9737; | ☉ | Solar symbol |
Other Symbols |
Name | Symbol | Unicode | Unicode Display | Symbol Represents |
comet |  | #9732; | ☄ |
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ascending node |  | #9738; | ☊ |
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descending node |  | #9739; | ☋ |
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conjunction |  | #9740; | ☌ |
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opposition |  | #9741; | ☍ |
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