Constellations

You don't discover a constellation. These stars are all visible to the naked eye. Who decided to put them into that pattern is unclear, but calling it the bear (ursa) probably goes back to the ancient Greeks. At that time Polaris would not have been the star at the North Pole, though.

Constellations are visible at different times of the year because the Earth orbits around the Sun, causing the night sky to change as different parts of the sky become visible seasonally. This movement of the Earth creates the appearance of shifting constellations throughout the year.

A vast collection of stars is called a galaxy. Galaxies are massive systems that contain stars, planets, gas, dust, and dark matter, held together by gravity. The Milky Way is an example of a galaxy that contains our solar system.

No, there are no confirmed planets in the constellation Pavo. The constellation is relatively small and does not contain any known exoplanets within its boundaries.

Yes. The constellations use Latin names. Many translate into English as animals:

Apus (The Bird of Paradise)

Aquila(The Eagle)

Aries (The Ram)

Camelopardalis (The Giraffe)

Cancer (The Crab)

Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs)

Canis Major (The Great Dog)

Canis Minor (The Lesser Dog)

Capricornus (The Sea Goat)

Chamaeleon (The Chameleon)

Columba (The Dove)

Corvus (The Crow)

Cygnus (The Swan)

Delphinus (The Dolphin)

Dorado (The Goldfish)

Equuleus (The Little Horse)

Grus (The Crane)

Hydra (The Water Serpent)

Hydrus (The Water Snake)

Lacerta (The Lizard)

Leo (The Lion)

Leo Minor (The Lion Cub)

Lepus (The Hare)

Lupus (The Wolf)

Lynx (The Lynx)

Monoceros (The Unicorn)

Musca (The Fly)

Pavo (The Peacock)

Pegasus (The Winged Horse)

Phoenix (The Pheonix)

Pisces (The Fishes)

Piscis Austrinus (The Southern Fish)

Scorpius (The Scorpion)

Serpens (The Serpent)

Taurus (The Bull)

Tucana (The Toucan)

Ursa Major (The Great Bear)

Ursa Minor (The Little Bear)

Volans (The Flying Fish)

Vulpecula (The Fox)

The Big Dipper is not traditionally associated with rain or weather in any specific way. It is primarily known for its shape as a prominent asterism in the constellation Ursa Major, and has been used as a navigational tool and cultural symbol in various societies throughout history.

In most cases, no. In many cases they're nowhere near each other in three-dimensional space, and only appear to be near each other from our vantage point.

There are a couple of notable exceptions; for example, most of the bright stars in Ursa Major (including all the stars in the "big dipper" except for Alpha and Eta, which are the ones at each end) are part of the Ursa Major Moving group (not quite a cluster, but definitely associated with each other).

The Nemean Lion was the animal represented in the constellation that was killed by Hercules. This lion had an impenetrable hide and was terrorizing the region of Nemea, until Hercules strangled it to death as one of his twelve labors.

The Big Dipper can be seen year-round in California, but it is most visible in the evening during the spring and summer months. Look for it in the northern sky, away from city lights, for the best viewing experience.

There is no specific constellation or planet named after Pan or Faunus. Pan and Faunus are mythological figures from Greek and Roman mythology, respectively, associated with nature and the wild, rather than being linked directly to astronomical objects.

Some of the most famous Greek constellations include Orion, Ursa Major (The Great Bear), Cassiopeia, and Pegasus. These constellations have been recognized and named for thousands of years and are prominent fixtures in the night sky.

There are approximately 8 stars that are easily visible to the naked eye in the constellation Vulpecula. This number can vary depending on sky conditions and the observer's location.

Orion can be seen in the summer - if you live in the Southern Hemisphere. Remember, if it's Winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it's Summer in the Southern Hemisphere. By the time it's Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, our planet is on the other side of the sun. Which means that Orion is up during the day and the sunlight makes it impossible to see.

It is located in the Ursa Minor

The Big Dipper is closest to the horizon in the evening during the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere. This is because its orientation in the sky positions it lower in the sky during this time of year.

Cassiopeia, a prominent constellation, can be seen all year round in the northern hemisphere. It is best visible during fall and winter months. Look for its distinctive W shape in the night sky.

The Southern Cross is visible from locations south of the equator. If you are in the northern hemisphere, the Southern Cross will not be visible to you because it is a constellation that lies in the southern celestial hemisphere.

Cepheus the King constellation is a pentagon shape, representing the crown of the king. It is made up of several bright stars and is best observed in the northern hemisphere during late summer and early fall.

There only three main stars in Orion's belt.

The constellation Archer, also known as Sagittarius, points toward the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It is located in the southern hemisphere and is known for its teapot shape formed by its brightest stars.

People use constellations for navigation, timekeeping, and storytelling. By identifying specific patterns of stars in the night sky, people can orient themselves, track the movement of celestial bodies, and pass down cultural knowledge through myths and legends associated with the constellations.

Cancer is usually represented as a crab in the constellation. The arrangement of stars form a pattern that resembles a crab, fitting the name of the constellation.

Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Dipper, contains seven main stars. The most well-known star in Ursa Minor is Polaris, which is also called the North Star.

Canis Major contains the brightest star, Alpha Canis Majoris, or Sirius A.