Dorado – The Goldfish

Dorado is one of the 88 constellations within the celestial sphere.

Dorado is one of the 42 constellations that represents an animal.

Symbolism: Dorado is also known as ‘The Goldfish’

History & Mythology

Dorado is a small southern sky constellation. Introduced in the 1590’s by Dutch navigators, the constellation has a lot going on, yet its stars are not very bright, and had never been named. The constellation represents a Goldfish or a Dolphinfish. The small constellation is home to the Large Magellanic Cloud & The Tarantula Nebula.  

Key Data

Bordering Constellations: Dorado is bordered by constellations Pictor, Caelum, Horologium, Volans, Reticulum, Mensa & Hydrus.

Sky Chart #: 2.

Star Raking: 72nd largest constellation in the celestial sphere. 

Main Stars: Dorado consists of 3 main stars.

Brightest Star: Alpha Doradus.

Kids Fun Facts Corner

# 1. Dorado has 5 stars with planets.

# 2. The Large Magellanic Cloud is named after the famous explorer Ferdinand Magellanic who recorded the cloud in the 1500’s.

# 3. Alpha Doradus is the brightest star in Dorado.

Q&A Corner

Q. What is Dorado also known as?

Q. How many main stars does Dorado have?

Q. What is the brightest star in Dorado?

Q. How many stars have planets in Dorado?

Q. What number star ranking is Dorado in the celestial sphere?

Download questions about the Dorado Constellation here: Dorado (answers are on this page)

Teachers. For more in depth work sheets on constellations. Click on Kidskonnect Worksheets  

For further reading and more information on the Dorado Constellation visitwww.constellation-guide.com/dorado