A constellation is a group of stars that, when connected by an imaginary line, form a figure in the sky. Constellations were useful for navigation in ancient times, as ships used them to navigate and determine their location.
The connection between the points that form a constellation is arbitrary; that is, it doesn’t respond to a specific astronomical question but rather to human judgment. Some examples of constellations are: the constellation of Ursa Major, the constellation of Ursa Minor, and the constellation of Virgo.
The ancient peoples who first recorded constellations were the civilizations of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Many constellations were identified by a specific civilization, but this doesn’t mean that other peoples recognized them. There are constellations of the Chinese, pre-Columbian, and Hindu people, among others. Currently, the IAU (International Astronomical Union) recognizes 88 modern constellations.
Constellations can be observed directly by looking at the night sky. They are always in the same position and are most clearly visible in areas with low concentrations of artificial lights and pollution. Although the stars that make up a constellation appear to be close together, they can actually be millions of kilometers apart.
- See also: Galaxies
Types of constellations
There are two main types of constellations:
- Northern constellations. They can only be observed from locations north of the equator.
- Southern constellations. They can only be observed from locations south of the equator.
Examples of constellations
Chinese constellations
Chinese civilization divided the heavens into three chambers (located at the North Pole) and 28 mansions (reflecting the movement of the moon). This classification is more than 5,000 years old and is distinct from the Greek or modern classification.
The 28 mansions are:
- Bi(The Steak – Red)
- Bi(Western Wall)
- Say(The Root – The Foundation)
- Dou(The Ladle – The Cross-Eyed)
- Fang(The Square – The Room)
- Gui(The Ghost)
- Ji(The sieve – The strainer)
- Jiao(The Two Horns)
- Jing(Goodness – The Well)
- Kang(The Neck – The Dragon)
- Kui(The Rider – The Stride)
- Liu(The Willow Branch)
- Lou(The Mound)
- Mao(Pleiades)
- Niu(The Ox)
- Nu(The Woman)
- Shen(Orion)
- Shi(The House)
- Wei(The Precipice)
- Wei(The Belly)
- Wei(The Dragon’s Tail)
- Xin(The Heart – The Great Fire)
- Xing(The Bird)
- Xu(The Void – The Chaos)
- Yi(The Wings)
- Zhang(The Drawn Bow)
- Zhen(The Carriage)
- Zi(Peak)
Hindu constellations
The constellations were called nakshatra by Hindu civilization. This culture also divided the sky into 27 zones, each identified with its most important star.
Some of the most prominent nakshatras are:
- Buddha(Mercury)
- Chandra(Moon)
- Guruor Bríjaspati (Jupiter)
- Ketu(lunar south node)
- Mangala(Mars)
- Rahu(lunar north node)
- Ravior Suria (Sun)
- Shani(Saturn)
- Shukra(Venus)
Pre-Columbian constellations
The different pre-Columbian cultures determined and grouped constellations, an example being the constellations of the Mexica culture:
- Citlalcóatl(The Serpent)
- Citlalcólotlor Colotlixáyac (The Scorpion)
- Citlallachtli(The “tlachtli” ball game court)
- Citlalmamalhuaztli(The Fire-Pulling Sticks)
- Citlalocélotl(The Jaguar)
- Citlalozomatli(The Monkey)
- Citlaltianquiztli(The Market)
- Citlalxonecuilli(Clutchfoot)
Zodiacal constellations
The zodiacal constellations are those located around the ecliptic (the line that marks the Sun’s path around the Earth). These constellations form the zodiac, a system used in astrology and astronomy to divide the sky into regular segments.
Each of the zodiacal constellations covers a specific area of the sky and is associated with a sign in astrology. Zodiacal constellations are used to determine the position of celestial bodies in relation to the Sun and Moon, and also to make astrological predictions.
These are:
- Aquarium
- Aries
- Cancer
- Capricorn
- Scorpio
- Gemini
- Leo
- Pound
- Pisces
- Sagittarius
- Taurus
- Virgo
Ptolemy’s constellations
The Ptolemaic constellations were determined and grouped by the Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy in the 2nd century BC, in his work Almagest . It includes the 12 zodiacal constellations and 36 other constellations. The constellations of Greek civilization form the basis of modern constellations.
These are:
- Andromeda
- Aquila
- Now
- Charioteer
- Bootes
- Canis Major
- Canis Minor
- Cassiopeia
- Cepheus
- Centaurus
- Cetus
- Corona Australis
- Corona Borealis
- Corvus
- Crater
- Crux
- Cygnus
- Delphinus
- Draco
- Equuleus
- Eridanus
- Hercules
- Hydra
- Big Dipper
- Little Dipper
- Lepus
- Lupus
- Lyra
- Ophiuchus
- Orion
- Pegasus
- Perseus
- Piscis Austrinus
- Sagitta
- Serpens
- Triangle
