Auriga constellation from Johann Bayer's star atlas Uranometria Omnium Asterismorum, 1603. Auriga is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy and remains one of the 88 modern constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union. Located north of the celestial equator, its name is the Latin word for charioteer, associating it with various mythological charioteers including Erichthonius and Myrtilus. Auriga is most prominent during winter evenings in the Northern Hemisphere, along with the five other constellations that have stars in the Winter Hexagon asterism.