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Constellations

Constellations have fascinated astronomers for centuries. They are arbitrary formations of stars perceived as a figure or design, especially one of 88 recognized groups named after characters from classical mythology and various common animals and objects. Questions about the various constellations of stars are what this category is all about.

3,677 Questions

Is the Little Dipper always visible?

No. From some parts of the world it is NEVER visible.

What constellation was first?

No constellation could be said to be the first. People have identified constellations since pre-historic times, so there is no record of who decided on them and which they decided on first.

Can you give me a long list of stars?

As there are MANY stars here is a short list; θ Eri Achernar α Eri Achird ε Cas Acrab Beta Scorpii Acrux Alpha Crucis Acubens Alpha Cancri Adhafera Zeta Leonis Adhara Epsilon Canis Majoris Ain Epsilon Tauri Aladfar Eta Lyrae Alamak Gamma Andromedae Alathfar Mu Lyrae Alaraph Beta Virginis Albaldah Pi Sagittarii Albali Epsilon Aquarii

Are constellations only visible in certain seasons due to the revolution of the Earth toward the constellation?

It is only partly true. Stars have latitude and longitude just as we do on Earth, but they are called Declination and Right Ascension. A star that has a declination greater than 90 minus your latitude will never set. Such stars are called circumpolar stars. I live at 35° south so stars with declination 90-35=55° will never set. For example I can always see the Southern Cross.

What is the significance of the Orion's Belt constellation?

Astronomers have debated several ideas about the significance of the Orion's Belt constellation. A popular idea is that it may have been the blueprint ancient Egyptians used to build the Giza pyramids.

What is little dipper nickname?

"Little dipper" is the name of the asterism. The official name of the constellation is Ursa Minor.

Please be aware that the Little Dipper is composed of mostly 3nd and dimmer magnitude stars; you need to be in a fairly dark sky area to see it.

What is the distance of the unicorn constellation from earth?

This question can not be answered as constellations (including Monoceros the Unicorn) are made up of many stars which are all at different distances from the Earth.

What can an astronomer be certain of if a star is listed in the Henry draper catalogue?

It can determine that the constellation has a certsain amount of connected stars

How did the big bear in the stars get its name?

The formation Ursa Major (Latin for "Big Bear") is better known today as The Big Dipper because its shape resembles a water dipper: four stars form the scoop and three others form the handle.

Many ancient civilizations though saw the shape as delineating the body of a bear, an animal most of them would have been very familiar with. That interpretation has been found as far back as paleolithic times, and in places as widely separated as Germany and the American Southwest.

How are stars grouped to make a constellations?

Stars are grouped to make a constellations because the way you look at it,it looks that way.

What are the name of the stars in the ursa minor?

PolarisKochabPherkadYildunUrodelusAhfa al FarkadainAnwar al Farkadain

Is every star in a constellation the same distance from Earth?

No. Constellations are just patterns in the sky that we identify. The stars in them have no real connection to each other and are at varying distances from us.

What is the best season to see Scorpio?

depending on where you live, you might not ever be able to see scorpio, but if you live in the northern hemisphere it will be around the horizon during winter

What are the names of the stars in Orion hunter?

The prominent stars in the Orion constellation include Betelgeuse, a red supergiant that represents Orion's shoulder, and Rigel, a blue supergiant marking his foot. Other notable stars are Bellatrix, representing Orion's other shoulder, and Saiph, which designates his other foot. The three stars in a row that form Orion's Belt are Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka. Together, these stars create the recognizable shape of the hunter in the night sky.

What color is the phoenix constellation?

Constellation's cannot be colors, but individual stars in a constellation can be. The Phoenix constellation is made up of 7 stars

Is Gemini ever circumpolar If so then at what latitude and compass direction would Gemini be a circumpolar constellation?

gemini is not circumpolar. the circumpolar constellations for the northern hemisphere are Cassiopeia. Ursa Minor, Draco, Cepheus, and Ursa Major.

How did Andromeda become a constellation?

Andromeda is a galaxy (spiral) and not a constellation

When was the constellation scorpious found?

constellations are not "found" rather created, as they have always been there and we just "connect the dots" to form shapes in how we see them.

Scorpius was one of the original 48 constellations listed by Ptolmey circa 165 BC

What contains trillions of stars?

the night sky and/or large galaxies (elliptical or spiral)

Who created the idea of constellations?

not sure who created the "idea" but the Ptolmey was the first to write them down, with 48 original constellations, compared to today's confirmed 88