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Constellation: Difference between revisions
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A '''constellation''' is a group or cluster of stars that appear to be the outline of certain figures. These figures do not actually exist, but are used as mnemonics to help people spot and recognize stars in the night sky. On a clear night one can see thousands of stars in the sky, and being able to recognize and remember these shapes can help to identify them. | A '''constellation''' is a group or cluster of stars that appear to be the outline of certain figures. These figures do not actually exist, but are used as mnemonics to help people spot and recognize stars in the night sky. On a clear night one can see thousands of stars in the sky, and being able to recognize and remember these shapes can help to identify them. | ||
Due to the rotation of the earth, and the movement around the sun, there are two different groups of constellations: circumpolar and seasonal constellations. Circumpolar constellations are technically always visible; they never "rise" or "set". Where as seasonal constellations are only visible during certain parts of the year, depending on where on the earth they are viewed from. <ref> http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/the_universe/Constellations/constnavi.html </ref> | Due to the rotation of the earth, and the movement around the sun, there are two different groups of constellations: circumpolar and seasonal constellations. Circumpolar constellations are technically always visible; they never "rise" or "set". Where as seasonal constellations are only visible during certain parts of the year, depending on where on the earth they are viewed from. <ref>[http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/the_universe/Constellations/constnavi.html Constellations] ''Windows to the Universe''. </ref> | ||
Constellations are often used to find other constellations or stars of importance. One famous example of this is finding the North Star by examining the Big Dipper and Little Dipper. First one must locate the two stars that form the outer edge of the Big Dipper, then draw an imaginary line straight through the two stars of the dipper edge toward the Little Dipper. The line will point very close to the handle of the Little Dipper; the brightest star in the Little Dipper is at the end of its handle. This is the North Star. | Constellations are often used to find other constellations or stars of importance. One famous example of this is finding the North Star by examining the Big Dipper and Little Dipper. First one must locate the two stars that form the outer edge of the Big Dipper, then draw an imaginary line straight through the two stars of the dipper edge toward the Little Dipper. The line will point very close to the handle of the Little Dipper; the brightest star in the Little Dipper is at the end of its handle. This is the North Star. | ||
