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All stars but one can be associated with an IAU (International Astronomical Union) constellation. IAU constellations are areas of the sky. Although there are only 88 IAU constellations, the sky is actually divided into 89 irregularly shaped boxes as the constellation Serpens is split into two separate sections, Serpens Caput (the snake's head) to the west and Serpens Cauda (the snake's tail ...
Many star names are, in origin, descriptive of the part in the constellation they are found in; thus Phecda, a corruption of Arabic فخذ الدب ( fakhdh ad-dubb, 'thigh of the bear'). Only a handful of the brightest stars have individual proper names not depending on their asterism; so Sirius ('the scorcher'), Antares ('rival of Ares ', i.e ...
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] The first constellations likely go back to prehistory. People used them to relate stories of their beliefs, experiences, creation, mythology.
IAU designated constellations in equirectangular projection (epoch B1875.0) In contemporary astronomy, 88 constellations are recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). [ 1] Each constellation is a region of the sky bordered by arcs of right ascension and declination, together covering the entire celestial sphere.
The following lists of constellations are available: IAU designated constellations – a list of the current, or "modern", constellations. Former constellations – a list of former constellations. Chinese constellations – traditional Chinese astronomy constellations.
Ursa Major ( / ˈɜːrsə ˈmeɪdʒər /; also known as the Great Bear) is a constellation in the northern sky, whose associated mythology likely dates back into prehistory. Its Latin name means "greater (or larger) bear", referring to and contrasting it with nearby Ursa Minor, the lesser bear. [ 1] In antiquity, it was one of the original 48 ...
Arcturus is the brightest star in the northern constellation of Boötes. With an apparent visual magnitude of −0.05, [ 2] it is the fourth-brightest star in the night sky, and the brightest in the northern celestial hemisphere. The name Arcturus originated from ancient Greece; it was then cataloged as α Boötis by Johann Bayer in 1603, which ...
Taurus (constellation) Visible at latitudes between + 90 ° and − 65 °. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of January. Taurus (Latin, ' Bull ') is one of the constellations of the zodiac and is located in the northern celestial hemisphere. Taurus is a large and prominent constellation in the Northern Hemisphere 's winter sky.