PATTERNS OF STARS (Constellations)

INTRODUCTION

Thousands of years ago, ancient astronomers studied stars in the night sky and saw different images of objects, animals, and heroes in
the Roman and Greek mythology in the grouping of stars. A group of stars that form a certain pattern is called constellations. Today
astronomers listed a total of 88 constellations.
Constellations are named after various religious figures, animals, and objects in Greek mythology.

Latin name Letter English version Latin name Letter English version
Andromeda N Andromeda Lacerta N Lizard
Antlia S Airpump Leo Z Lion
Apus S Bird of Paradise Leo Minor N Little Lion
Aquarius Z Water Bearer Lepus S Hare
Aquila N Eagle Libra Z Scales
Ara S Altar Lupus S Wolf
Aries Z Ram Lynx N Lynx
Auriga N Charioteer Lyra N Lyre (Harp)
Boötes N Herdsmen Mensa S Table (mountain)
Caelum S Sculptor's Tool Microscopium S Microscope
Camelopardalis N Giraffe Monoceros S Unicorn
Cancer Z Crab Musca S Southern Fly
Canes Venatici N Hunting Dogs Norma S Rule (straightedge)
Canis Major S Great Dog Octans S Octant
Canis Minor S Little Dog Ophiuchus N Serpent-Bearer
Capricornus Z Goat (or SeaGoat) Orion S Orion
Carina S Keel (of Argo)1 Pavo S Peacock
Cassiopeia N Cassiopeia Pegasus N Pegasus
Centaurus S Centaur Perseus N Perseus
Cepheus N Cepheus Phoenix S Phoenix
Cetus S Whale Pictor S Painter (or his Easel)
Chameleon S Chameleon Pisces Z Fishes
Circinus S Compasses Piscis  Austrinus S Southern Fish
Columba S Dove Puppis S Poop (of Argo)1
Coma Berenices N Berenice's Hair Pyxis S Mariner's Compass
Corona Australis S Southern Crown Reticulum S Net
Corona Borealis N Northern Crown Sagitta N Arrow
Corvus S Crow (Raven) Sagittarius Z Archer
Crater S Cup Scorpius Z Scorpion
Crux S Southern Cross Sculptor S Sculptor
Cygnus N Swan Scutum N Shield
Delphinus N Dolphin Serpens N Serpent
Dorado S Swordfish (Goldfish) Sextans S Sextant
Draco N Dragon Taurus Z Bull
Equuleus N Filly Telescopium S Telescope
Eridanus S Eridanus (river) Triangulum N Triangle
Triangulum
Fornax S Furnace Australe S Southern Triangle
Gemini Z Twins Tucana S Toucan
Grus S Crane Ursa Major N Big Dipper2
Hercules N Hercules Ursa Minor N Little Dipper3
Horologium S Clock Vela S Sail (of Argo)1
Hydra N Sea Serpent Virgo Z Virgin
Hydrus S Water Snake Volans S Flying Fish
Indus S Indian Vulpecula N Fox
LOCATING STARS AND CONSTELLATIONS (349-350)

Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and Cassiopeia are constellations visible in the north sky. Because of this, they are called circumpolar
constellations. The Ursa Major or the Great Bear is located in the Northern hemisphere. You can easily locate Ursa Major because it
contains the seven stars called the Plough. Polaris is located at the end of the little dipper in the constellation Ursa Minor. Near the
Celestial pole is a group of five stars facing Polaris, forming a rough letter W or big M depending on the season. This constellation is
called Cassiopeia. The Orion constellations is located at the celestial equator east of Taurus. It is visible from January to March. It is
named in Greek mythology as the hunter. Orion’s belt is shown with three bright stars and the three fainter stars aligned south of the
belt represent his sword. The star found on its left should is Betelgeuse. Orion seems to move from east to west because of Earth’s
rotation. Stars in the sky can be found at specific locations within constellations. For example, you can find the star Betelgeuse on the
shoulder of the Orion constellation. Sirius, visible in northern hemisphere, is in the Canes Major. Polaris, the North Star, is so close to
the celestial North Pole that it does not seem to move at all. Also, these constellations are visible throughout the year.

Constellations can be found in the northern and southern hemispheres. They are also found in the specific seasons and directions. 

 USES OF CONSTELLATION

During ancient times, constellations helped people remember their favorite stories about what they considered as Gods. Later,
constellations helped people in many ways. Our knowledge about constellations will help us in knowing general directions, measuring
and telling seasons, locating certain stars and galaxies, and tracking artificial satellite launched into Earth's orbit.

1. Constellations Tell General Directions

Constellations are useful navigators. Ursa Minors, ursa Major, and Cassiopeia are constellations that are used by navigators to tell the
North directions.
2. Constellation Measures and Tell Seasons
The 12 constellations which we call the Zodiac keep a definite circular be;t or path in the sky. The Zodiac is an imaginary belt or path in
the heavens that includes the paths of the planets. The different constellations can be seen in a particular month and season.
3. Constellations are Used to Locate Stars and Galaxies
Constellations are used by astronomers to locate stars, nebulae, and galaxies. The Flame Nebula also called NGC2024, is a region of
dust and gas in the constellations Orion. The Horsehead Nebula is also in the Orion constellation.