Difference between revisions of "Constellation" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Orion constellation map.png|thumb|300px|[[Orion (constellation)|Orion]] is a remarkable constellation, visible from all points on the globe at one time or another during the year. The '''constellation''' of Orion is the area outlined in the dashed yellow line. [[Orion (constellation)|Orion]] contains a striking and well-known star pattern that has the form of a hunter.]]
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[[Image:Orion1~.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Orion (constellation)|Orion]] is a remarkable constellation, visible from all points on the globe at one time or other during the year. It contains a pattern identified as the form of a hunter.]]
[[Image:Orion1~.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Photo of the familiar constellation Orion.]]
 
  
In common usage, a '''constellation''' is a group of celestial bodies that are connected together in some arrangement: typically stars to form a visible figure or picture. The term is also traditionally and less formally used to mean any group of [[star]]s visibly related to each other, if they are considered as a fixed configuration or pattern in a particular culture.  Some well-known constellations contain striking and familiar patterns of bright stars. Examples are [[Orion (constellation)|Orion]] (containing a figure of a hunter), [[Leo (constellation)|Leo]] (containing bright stars outlining the form of a lion), [[Scorpius]] (a scorpion), and [[Crux]] (a cross).
+
In common usage, a '''constellation''' is a group of celestial bodies that appear to occur together in some recognizable arrangement. Traditionally, peoples of different [[civilization]]s observed various groupings of [[star]]s that appeared to be fixed patterns. Such groupings of stars were essentially arbitrary, and different [[culture]]s developed different constellations, although some of the prominent ones tended to recur.
  
The astronomical definition of '''constellation''' is slightly different, however. A group of stars that can be connected to form a figure or a picture is called an [[asterism (astronomy)|asterism]], while a constellation is an area on the sky. The [[International Astronomical Union]] (IAU) divides the sky into 88 official constellations<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.ianridpath.com/constellations1.htm| title = Constellation names, abbreviations and sizes| accessdate = 2007-10-05| author = Ian Ridpath}}</ref> with exact boundaries, so that every direction or place in the sky belongs within one constellation. These are mostly based upon the constellations of the ancient [[ancient Greece|Greek]] tradition, passed down through the [[Middle Ages]], and contains the signs of the [[zodiac]]. The sun appears to pass through the 12 constellations of the zodiac (plus [[Ophiuchus]]) and ancient Greek astronomers believed they had a special significance.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
+
The formal astronomical definition of ''constellation'' is slightly different. A group of stars that can be connected to form a figure or a picture is called an '''[[asterism (astronomy)|asterism]],''' whereas a constellation is a defined area on the sky. The [[International Astronomical Union]] (IAU) divides the sky into 88 official constellations<ref name="Ian">Ian Ridpath, [http://www.ianridpath.com/constellations1.htm Constellations.] Retrieved September 23, 2008.</ref> with exact boundaries, so that every direction or place in the sky belongs within one constellation. They are mostly based upon the constellations of the ancient [[ancient Greece|Greek]] tradition, passed down through the [[Middle Ages]], and they contain the signs of the [[zodiac]]. The Sun appears to pass through the 12 constellations of the zodiac (plus [[Ophiuchus]]), and ancient Greek astronomers believed they had some special significance.
 +
{{Toc}}
 +
Some well-known constellations contain striking and familiar patterns of bright stars. Examples are [[Orion (constellation)|Orion]] (outlining the figure of a hunter), [[Leo (constellation)|Leo]] (outlining the form of a lion), [[Scorpius]] (outlining a scorpion), and [[Crux]] (a cross shape).
  
The constellation boundaries were drawn up by [[Eugène Delporte]] in 1930, and he drew them along vertical and horizontal lines of [[right ascension]] and [[declination]]. However, he did so for the [[epoch (astronomy)|epoch]] [[B1875.0]], the era when [[Benjamin A. Gould]] made the proposal on which Delporte based his work. The consequence of the early date  is that due to [[precession (astronomy)|precession]] of the equinoxes, the borders on a modern star map (eg, for epoch [[J2000]]) are already somewhat skewed and no longer perfectly vertical or horizontal. This skew will increase over the years and centuries to come.
+
The term ''constellation'' is also used to describe the arrangement and orbits of artificial [[satellite]] systems, such as those of various [[Global navigation satellite systems]] including [[GPS]].
  
A star pattern may be widely known but may not be recognized by the [[International Astronomical Union]]; such a pattern of stars is called an [[asterism (astronomy)|asterism]]. An example is the grouping called the '''[[Big Dipper]]''' ([[North America]]) or the [[Big Dipper|Plough]] ([[United Kingdom|UK]]). The stars in a constellation or asterism rarely have any astrophysical relationship to each other; they just happen to appear close together in the sky as viewed from [[Earth]] and typically lie many [[light-years]] apart in space. However, one exception to this is the [[Ursa Major moving group]]. The grouping of stars into constellations is essentially [[wiktionary:arbitrary|arbitrary]], and different [[culture]]s have had different constellations, although a few of the more obvious ones tend to recur frequently, e.g., [[Orion (constellation)|Orion]] and [[Scorpius]].
+
== Asterisms ==
 +
A star pattern may be widely known but may not be recognized by the [[International Astronomical Union]]. Such a pattern of stars is called an ''[[asterism (astronomy)|asterism]]''. An example is the grouping called the '''[[Big Dipper]]''' ([[North America]]) or the Plough ([[United Kingdom]]).
  
The first ancient Greek works which dealt with the constellations were books of star myths. The oldest of these was a poem composed by [[Hesiod]] in circa the eighth century B.C.E., of which only fragments survive. They knew that these constellations were superstitious. The most complete existing works dealing with the mythical origins of the constellations are by the Hellenistic writer termed pseudo-[[Eratosthenes]] and an early Roman writer styled pseudo-[[Hyginus]].
+
The stars in a constellation, or asterism, rarely have any astrophysical relationship to each other; they just happen to appear close together in the sky as viewed from [[Earth]] and typically lie many [[light-years]] apart in space. However, one exception to this is the [[Ursa Major moving group]].
  
The term '''constellation''' is also used to describe the arrangement and orbits of artificial [[satellites]] such as those of various [[Global navigation satellite systems]] including [[GPS]].
+
== Background ==
 +
[[Image:Orion constellation map.png|thumb|300px|The '''constellation''' of Orion is the area outlined in the dashed yellow line.]]  
  
==Dark cloud constellations==
+
Very early in human history, people began clumping various stars together in [[connect-the-dots]], [[stick figures|stick-figure]] patterns. As noted above, the grouping of stars into constellations was mostly arbitrary, although some obvious groups were repeated, such as [[Orion (constellation)|Orion]] and [[Scorpius]]. Historically, without an "official" list, there was really no difference between a constellation and an asterism. Anyone could arrange and name a grouping that might or might not be generally accepted. Nonetheless, some modern, well known constellations go back at least as far as the [[Sumer]]ians.
 +
 
 +
Our current list is based on that of the Greco-Roman astronomer, [[Claudius Ptolemy]] of Alexandria (about 85–165). His list of 48 constellations was accepted as ''the'' standard for 1800 years. As constellations were considered to be composed only of the stars that constituted the figure, it was always possible to use the leftover, non-figure ("amorphic") stars to create and squeeze in a new grouping among the established constellations.
 +
 
 +
Two astronomers particularly known for attempting to expand Ptolemy's catalog were [[Johann Bayer]] (1572–1625) and [[Nicolas Louis de Lacaille]] (1713–1762). Bayer listed a dozen figures that had been suggested since Ptolemy's day; Lacaille created new groups, mostly for the area near the South Celestial Pole, unobserved by the ancients. Many of their proposed constellations have been accepted, the rest remaining asterisms, mostly obsolete. Clarification was necessary to determine which groupings ''are'' constellations and which stars belonged to them.
 +
 
 +
This situation was finally regularized in 1930, when the [[International Astronomical Union]] divided the sky into 88 official constellations with precise boundaries. Any other grouping is an asterism.
 +
 
 +
=== Drawing the boundaries ===
 +
The constellation boundaries were drawn up by [[Eugène Delporte]] in 1930, and he drew them along vertical and horizontal lines of [[right ascension]] and [[declination]]. However, he did so for the [[epoch (astronomy)|epoch]] [[B1875.0]], the era when [[Benjamin A. Gould]] made the proposal on which Delporte based his work. The consequence of the early date is that, due to [[precession (astronomy)|precession]] of the equinoxes, the borders on a modern star map (such as for epoch [[J2000]]) are already somewhat skewed and no longer perfectly vertical or horizontal. This skew will increase over the years and centuries to come.
  
[[Image:Emu public.jpg|frame|The "[[Emu]] in the sky", a '[[constellation]]' defined by dark clouds rather than the stars. A western interpretation would recognise the [[Crux]] or Southern Cross, on the left [[Scorpius]]. The head of the emu is the [[Coalsack]].]]
+
== Ancient Greek constellations ==
Members of the [[Inca]] civilization identified various dark areas in the [[Milky Way]] as animals, and associated their appearance with the seasonal rains. These areas are commonly referred to by modern researchers as ''dark cloud constellations''<ref>[http://www.astronomy.pomona.edu/archeo/andes/inca.nightsky.html The Incan View of the Night Sky]</ref> or [[dark nebula]]e. [[Australian Aboriginal astronomy]] also used dark nebulae in some constellations, the most famous being the "emu in the sky" whose head is formed by the [[coalsack]].
+
The first ancient Greek works that dealt with the constellations were books of star myths. The oldest of these was a poem composed by [[Hesiod]] around the eighth century B.C.E.., but only fragments of this work survive. The Greeks knew that these constellations were based on superstition. The most complete existing works dealing with the mythical origins of the constellations are by the Hellenistic writer known as pseudo-[[Eratosthenes]] and an early Roman writer styled pseudo-[[Hyginus]].
  
 
==Chinese constellations==
 
==Chinese constellations==
{{main|Chinese constellation}}
 
 
Chinese constellations are different from the Western constellations, due to the independent development of ancient [[China|Chinese]] [[astronomy]]. Ancient Chinese skywatchers divided their night sky in a different way, but there are also similarities. The Chinese counterpart of the 12 western [[zodiac]] constellations are the 28 "Xiu" (宿) or "mansions" (a literal translation).
 
Chinese constellations are different from the Western constellations, due to the independent development of ancient [[China|Chinese]] [[astronomy]]. Ancient Chinese skywatchers divided their night sky in a different way, but there are also similarities. The Chinese counterpart of the 12 western [[zodiac]] constellations are the 28 "Xiu" (宿) or "mansions" (a literal translation).
  
 
==Indian constellations==
 
==Indian constellations==
In Hindu/Vedic astronomy Rashi means constellation. The twelve rashis along the ecliptic correspond directly to the twelve western star signs. These are however divided into 27 [[Nakshatra]]s, or lunar houses.
+
In Hindu (Vedic) astronomy, the term ''rashi'' means constellation. There are twelve rashis along the ecliptic, corresponding directly to the twelve western star signs. These are, however, divided into 27 ''[[Nakshatra]]s,'' or lunar houses.
 +
 
 +
==Dark cloud constellations==
 +
[[Image:Emu public.jpg|frame|The "[[Emu]] in the sky," a "[[constellation]]" defined by dark clouds rather than the stars. A western interpretation would recognize the [[Crux]] or Southern Cross, on the left [[Scorpius]]. The head of the emu is the [[Coalsack]].]]
  
*See also [[Jyotiṣa]]
+
Members of the [[Inca]] civilization identified various dark areas in the [[Milky Way]] as animals, and associated their appearance with the seasonal rains. These areas are commonly referred to by modern researchers as ''dark cloud constellations''<ref>Pomona, [http://www.astronomy.pomona.edu/archeo/andes/inca.nightsky.html The Incan View of the Night Sky: Stars, Constellations, and Dark Clouds.] Retrieved September 23, 2008.</ref> or [[dark nebula]]e. [[Australian Aboriginal astronomy]] also used dark nebulae in some constellations, the most famous being the "emu in the sky" whose head is formed by the [[coalsack]].
  
 
==Constellation names and star designations==
 
==Constellation names and star designations==
All modern constellation names are [[Latin]] proper names or words, and some stars are named using the [[genitive]], or sometimes the [[ablative]] of the constellation in which they are found. These are formed by using the usual rules of Latin grammar, and for those unfamiliar with that language the form of the genitive is sometimes unpredictable and must be memorized. Some examples include: Aries → Arietis; Taurus → Tauri; Gemini → Geminorum; Virgo → Virginis; Libra → Librae; Pisces → Piscium; Lepus → Leporis. In addition, all constellation names have a standard three-letter abbreviation assigned by the International Astronomical Union. For example, Aries becomes Ari, Pisces becomes Psc, Sagittarius becomes Sgr and Ursa Major becomes UMa.<ref>[http://www.ianridpath.com/constellations1.htm Constellations]. Ian Ridpath. (Constellation names and three-letter abbreviations.) Retrieved September 5, 2008.</ref>
+
All modern constellation names are [[Latin]] proper names or words, and some stars are named using the [[genitive]] (or sometimes the [[ablative]]) of the constellation in which they are found. These are formed by using the usual rules of Latin grammar, and for those unfamiliar with that language the form of the genitive is sometimes unpredictable and must be memorized.
  
Identification of stars within a given constellation includes use of [[Bayer designation]]s such as [[Alpha Centauri]], [[Flamsteed designation]]s such as [[61 Cygni]], and [[variable star designation]]s such as [[RR Lyrae]]. However, many fainter stars will just be given a catalog number designation (in each of various [[star catalog]]s) that does not incorporate the constellation name. Frequently, the abbreviated form of the constellation name is used in the star designation, e.g. Alpha Cen, 61 Cyg, RR Lyr.
+
Some examples are as follows:
 +
* Aries → Arietis
 +
* Gemini → Geminorum
 +
* Lepus → Leporis
 +
* Libra → Librae
 +
* Pisces → Piscium
 +
* Taurus → Tauri
 +
* Virgo → Virginis
 +
In addition, all constellation names have a standard, three-letter abbreviation assigned by the International Astronomical Union. For example, Aries becomes Ari, Pisces becomes Psc, Sagittarius becomes Sgr and Ursa Major becomes UMa.<ref name="Ian"/>
  
For more information about star names, see [[star designation]]s and the [[list of stars by constellation]].
+
Identification of stars within a given constellation includes the use of [[Bayer designation]]s such as [[Alpha Centauri]], [[Flamsteed designation]]s such as [[61 Cygni]], and [[variable star designation]]s such as [[RR Lyrae]]. However, many fainter stars will just be given a catalog number designation (in each of various [[star catalog]]s) that does not incorporate the constellation name. Frequently, the abbreviated form of the constellation name is used in the star designation, e.g. Alpha Cen, 61 Cyg, RR Lyr.
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
+
* [[Asterism (astronomy)]]
*[[Chinese constellation]]
+
* [[Galaxy]]
*[[Dendera zodiac]]
+
* [[Milky Way]]
*[[Former constellations]]
+
* [[Star]]
*[[List of constellations]]
+
* [[Universe]]
*[[List of constellations by area]]
+
* [[Zodiac]]
*[[List of stars by constellation]]
 
*[[History of the constellations]]
 
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 50: Line 70:
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 +
* Chen, P.K. 2007. ''A Constellation Album: Stars and Mythology of the Night Sky.'' Cambridge, MA: New Track Media. ISBN 978-1931559386.
 +
* Dickinson, Terence. 2006. ''NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe,'' 4th edition. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. ISBN 978-1554071470.
 +
* Heifetz, Milton D., and Wil Tirion. 2004. ''A Walk Through the Heavens: A Guide to Stars and Constellations and Their Legends,'' 3rd edition. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521544157.
 +
* Kerrod, Robin. 2002. ''The Book of Constellations: Discover the Secrets in the Stars.'' Hauppauge, NY: Barron's. ISBN 0764154400.
 +
* Ramotowski, Becky. 2007. ''Secrets of Stargazing: Skywatching Tips and Tricks.'' Cambridge, MA: Sky Pub. ISBN 978-1931559409.
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
 
+
All links retrieved June 17, 2013.
*[http://www.iau.org/public_press/themes/constellations/ IAU: The Constellations], including high quality maps.
+
*[http://www.iau.org/public_press/themes/constellations/ The Constellations]. International Astronomical Union. (Including high quality maps.)
*[http://www.astronoo.com/uk/constellations.html All the constellations on Astronoo]
+
*[http://www.astronoo.com/uk/constellations.html The constellations]. astronoo.com.
*[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/contents.htm Star Tales] origins and mythology of the constellations ([[Ian Ridpath]])
+
*[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/contents.htm Star Tales] Ian Ridpath. (Origins and mythology of the constellations.)  
*[http://www.dibonsmith.com/constel.htm The Constellations]
+
*[http://www.dibonsmith.com/constel.htm The Constellations].
*[http://www.allthesky.com/constellations/ Photographic Atlas of the Constellations]
+
*[http://www.allthesky.com/constellations/ The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations].
*[http://celestia.sourceforge.net Celestia] free 3D realtime space-simulation (OpenGL)
+
*[http://celestia.sourceforge.net Celestia]. (Free 3D space simulation; OpenGL.)  
*[http://stellarium.free.fr/ Stellarium] realtime sky rendering program (OpenGL)
+
*[http://stellarium.free.fr/ Stellarium]. (Free, 3D open source planetarium; OpenGL.)  
*[http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/Cat?VI/49 Strasbourg Astronomical Data Center Files on official IAU constellation boundaries] (the older NASA ADC service does not function anymore)
+
*[http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/ The Constellations and their Stars]. (Interactive Sky Charts; allows navigation through the entire sky with variable star detail, optional constellation lines.)  
*[http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/ Interactive Sky Charts] (Allows navigation through the entire sky with variable star detail, optional constellation lines)
+
*[http://www.seds.org/Maps/Stars_en/Fig/const.html Table of Constellations].  
*http://www.astronomical.org/portal/modules/wfsection/index.php?category=1
+
*[http://www.theoi.com/Text/HyginusAstronomica.html Hyginus, Astronomica Part 1, translated by Mary Grant]. (Greco-Roman constellation myths.)
*http://www.seds.org/Maps/Stars_en/Fig/const.html
+
*[http://www.heavens-above.com/ Heavens Above]. (Observe satellites, space shuttles, constellations, comets.)
*[http://borghetto.astrofili.org/costellazioni/bordo.htm Full constellation diagrams resembling their names]
+
*[http://cosmographica.com/gallery/portfolio2007/content/409_Orion3D_large.html Orion Constellation]. Don Dixon Library. (Diagram showing three dimensional distribution of stars in Orion.)
*[http://www.theoi.com/Text/HyginusAstronomica.html Online Text: Hyginus, Astronomica translated by Mary Grant] Greco-Roman constellation myths
+
----
*[http://www.heavens-above.com/ Observe satellites, space shuttles, constellations, comets]
 
*[http://cosmographica.com/gallery/portfolio2007/content/409_Orion3D_large.html Diagram showing three dimensional distribution of stars in Orion]
 
 
 
 
{{Constellations}}
 
{{Constellations}}
 
{{Zodiac}}
 
{{Zodiac}}
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[[Category:Astronomy]]
 
[[Category:Astronomy]]
  
{{credit|236402567}}
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{{credits|Constellation|236402567|Asterism_(astronomy)|231778490}}

Revision as of 20:06, 17 June 2013

Orion is a remarkable constellation, visible from all points on the globe at one time or other during the year. It contains a pattern identified as the form of a hunter.

In common usage, a constellation is a group of celestial bodies that appear to occur together in some recognizable arrangement. Traditionally, peoples of different civilizations observed various groupings of stars that appeared to be fixed patterns. Such groupings of stars were essentially arbitrary, and different cultures developed different constellations, although some of the prominent ones tended to recur.

The formal astronomical definition of constellation is slightly different. A group of stars that can be connected to form a figure or a picture is called an asterism, whereas a constellation is a defined area on the sky. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) divides the sky into 88 official constellations[1] with exact boundaries, so that every direction or place in the sky belongs within one constellation. They are mostly based upon the constellations of the ancient Greek tradition, passed down through the Middle Ages, and they contain the signs of the zodiac. The Sun appears to pass through the 12 constellations of the zodiac (plus Ophiuchus), and ancient Greek astronomers believed they had some special significance.

Some well-known constellations contain striking and familiar patterns of bright stars. Examples are Orion (outlining the figure of a hunter), Leo (outlining the form of a lion), Scorpius (outlining a scorpion), and Crux (a cross shape).

The term constellation is also used to describe the arrangement and orbits of artificial satellite systems, such as those of various Global navigation satellite systems including GPS.

Asterisms

A star pattern may be widely known but may not be recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Such a pattern of stars is called an asterism. An example is the grouping called the Big Dipper (North America) or the Plough (United Kingdom).

The stars in a constellation, or asterism, rarely have any astrophysical relationship to each other; they just happen to appear close together in the sky as viewed from Earth and typically lie many light-years apart in space. However, one exception to this is the Ursa Major moving group.

Background

The constellation of Orion is the area outlined in the dashed yellow line.

Very early in human history, people began clumping various stars together in connect-the-dots, stick-figure patterns. As noted above, the grouping of stars into constellations was mostly arbitrary, although some obvious groups were repeated, such as Orion and Scorpius. Historically, without an "official" list, there was really no difference between a constellation and an asterism. Anyone could arrange and name a grouping that might or might not be generally accepted. Nonetheless, some modern, well known constellations go back at least as far as the Sumerians.

Our current list is based on that of the Greco-Roman astronomer, Claudius Ptolemy of Alexandria (about 85–165). His list of 48 constellations was accepted as the standard for 1800 years. As constellations were considered to be composed only of the stars that constituted the figure, it was always possible to use the leftover, non-figure ("amorphic") stars to create and squeeze in a new grouping among the established constellations.

Two astronomers particularly known for attempting to expand Ptolemy's catalog were Johann Bayer (1572–1625) and Nicolas Louis de Lacaille (1713–1762). Bayer listed a dozen figures that had been suggested since Ptolemy's day; Lacaille created new groups, mostly for the area near the South Celestial Pole, unobserved by the ancients. Many of their proposed constellations have been accepted, the rest remaining asterisms, mostly obsolete. Clarification was necessary to determine which groupings are constellations and which stars belonged to them.

This situation was finally regularized in 1930, when the International Astronomical Union divided the sky into 88 official constellations with precise boundaries. Any other grouping is an asterism.

Drawing the boundaries

The constellation boundaries were drawn up by Eugène Delporte in 1930, and he drew them along vertical and horizontal lines of right ascension and declination. However, he did so for the epoch B1875.0, the era when Benjamin A. Gould made the proposal on which Delporte based his work. The consequence of the early date is that, due to precession of the equinoxes, the borders on a modern star map (such as for epoch J2000) are already somewhat skewed and no longer perfectly vertical or horizontal. This skew will increase over the years and centuries to come.

Ancient Greek constellations

The first ancient Greek works that dealt with the constellations were books of star myths. The oldest of these was a poem composed by Hesiod around the eighth century B.C.E., but only fragments of this work survive. The Greeks knew that these constellations were based on superstition. The most complete existing works dealing with the mythical origins of the constellations are by the Hellenistic writer known as pseudo-Eratosthenes and an early Roman writer styled pseudo-Hyginus.

Chinese constellations

Chinese constellations are different from the Western constellations, due to the independent development of ancient Chinese astronomy. Ancient Chinese skywatchers divided their night sky in a different way, but there are also similarities. The Chinese counterpart of the 12 western zodiac constellations are the 28 "Xiu" (宿) or "mansions" (a literal translation).

Indian constellations

In Hindu (Vedic) astronomy, the term rashi means constellation. There are twelve rashis along the ecliptic, corresponding directly to the twelve western star signs. These are, however, divided into 27 Nakshatras, or lunar houses.

Dark cloud constellations

The "Emu in the sky," a "constellation" defined by dark clouds rather than the stars. A western interpretation would recognize the Crux or Southern Cross, on the left Scorpius. The head of the emu is the Coalsack.

Members of the Inca civilization identified various dark areas in the Milky Way as animals, and associated their appearance with the seasonal rains. These areas are commonly referred to by modern researchers as dark cloud constellations[2] or dark nebulae. Australian Aboriginal astronomy also used dark nebulae in some constellations, the most famous being the "emu in the sky" whose head is formed by the coalsack.

Constellation names and star designations

All modern constellation names are Latin proper names or words, and some stars are named using the genitive (or sometimes the ablative) of the constellation in which they are found. These are formed by using the usual rules of Latin grammar, and for those unfamiliar with that language the form of the genitive is sometimes unpredictable and must be memorized.

Some examples are as follows:

  • Aries → Arietis
  • Gemini → Geminorum
  • Lepus → Leporis
  • Libra → Librae
  • Pisces → Piscium
  • Taurus → Tauri
  • Virgo → Virginis

In addition, all constellation names have a standard, three-letter abbreviation assigned by the International Astronomical Union. For example, Aries becomes Ari, Pisces becomes Psc, Sagittarius becomes Sgr and Ursa Major becomes UMa.[1]

Identification of stars within a given constellation includes the use of Bayer designations such as Alpha Centauri, Flamsteed designations such as 61 Cygni, and variable star designations such as RR Lyrae. However, many fainter stars will just be given a catalog number designation (in each of various star catalogs) that does not incorporate the constellation name. Frequently, the abbreviated form of the constellation name is used in the star designation, e.g. Alpha Cen, 61 Cyg, RR Lyr.

See also

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Ian Ridpath, Constellations. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
  2. Pomona, The Incan View of the Night Sky: Stars, Constellations, and Dark Clouds. Retrieved September 23, 2008.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Chen, P.K. 2007. A Constellation Album: Stars and Mythology of the Night Sky. Cambridge, MA: New Track Media. ISBN 978-1931559386.
  • Dickinson, Terence. 2006. NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe, 4th edition. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. ISBN 978-1554071470.
  • Heifetz, Milton D., and Wil Tirion. 2004. A Walk Through the Heavens: A Guide to Stars and Constellations and Their Legends, 3rd edition. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521544157.
  • Kerrod, Robin. 2002. The Book of Constellations: Discover the Secrets in the Stars. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's. ISBN 0764154400.
  • Ramotowski, Becky. 2007. Secrets of Stargazing: Skywatching Tips and Tricks. Cambridge, MA: Sky Pub. ISBN 978-1931559409.

External links

All links retrieved June 17, 2013.



Astronomy | Constellations of the Zodiac | Astrology

Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces
Aries.svg Taurus.svg Gemini.svg Cancer.svg Leo.svg Virgo.svg Libra.svg Scorpio.svg Sagittarius.svg Capricorn.svg Aquarius.svg Pisces.svg

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