How do scientists tell constellations apart?

Answer 1

Constellations are basically patterns of stars in the sky. An agreed set of 88 constellation have been defined. Many of these go back to ancient times, and have names that go back thousands of years. All of them have been visible as long as humans can remember, so nobody can be said to have discovered them. Different constellations have got their names because people thought their shape looked like something. For most it is hard to see the particular shape thought of. Of all of them, the constellation Leo most looks like what it is suppose to represent, namely a crouching lion. Other constellations that are very easy to recognise include Ursa Major (The Plough or Great Bear) and Orion, the most recognisable and most magnificent constellation of them all.

Constellations usually look the same shapes wherever you are in the world. If you are in different parts though, some won't be so easily seen or they will appear to be in different parts of the sky than you normally see them. This is the same as when you look at anything from different locations. In the Southern Hemisphere you would see some different constellations that you would in the northern hemisphere. On any clear night you can see constellations. At different times of year though, some are not visible. Some are visible all year round, the ones nearest the pole star, including Ursa Major and Cassiopeia.

Answer 2

Scientists tell constellations apart by identifying the unique patterns of stars that form each constellation. They use star maps and star charts to locate and recognize the specific arrangement of stars in the night sky. By matching the patterns they see to known constellations, scientists can easily identify and distinguish between different constellations.