Search results
There are 88 constellations officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). 36 modern constellations predominantly lie in the northern sky, while 52 are found in the southern celestial hemisphere. Most constellations (more than 40) represent animals.
Bottom: Contemporary map of Orion from the IAU (left); and photograph of the night sky with drawn lines (right) A constellation is an area on the celestial sphere in which a group of visible stars forms a perceived pattern or outline, typically representing an animal, mythological subject, or inanimate object. [1]
Jul 9, 2024 · There are a few different definitions of constellations, but many people think of constellations as a group of stars. The constellations you can see at night depend on your location on Earth and the time of year. Constellations were named after objects, animals, and people long ago.
The 88 constellations include 12 zodiac constellations, which lie along the Sun's apparent path in the sky - the ecliptic. These are often the most familiar to people, and include constellations like Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, and Pisces.
Jun 17, 2024 · constellation, in astronomy, any of certain groupings of stars that were imagined—at least by those who named them—to form conspicuous configurations of objects or creatures in the sky.
At its first General Assembly held in Rome in 1922, the IAU’s Commission on Notations and Units agreed on a list of 88 constellations covering the entire sky, with three-letter abbreviations of their Latin names. These are the 88 IAU constellations that are still recognised today, as described in more detail below.
List of the 88 official constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Click on each constellation to view the complete details.
Learn about the 88 modern constellations, their names, history, how to identify them, why we see different constellations at different times of year, and other fun facts.
List of the Constellations. The table below lists the 88 astronomical constellations. The Princess Andromeda; in Greek mythology, the daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia and wife of Perseus. The air pump; a southern constellation introduced by Lacaille in 1756, originally the 'pneumatic machine'.
Discover the wonders of the night sky with NASA's interactive skymap. Learn about stars, planets, constellations and more with a click of your mouse.
