|
Constellations |
Constellations originally consisted of several bright stars treated as a group; it is known that back in the Sumerian times [3000-250 BC] stories were told about the particular constellations, although most of the present stories come from Greek sources. The group of stars that outline a particular shape is called an asterism I.e. the big dipper.In an effort to “standardise” constellations the International Astronomical Union decreed each constellation be bounded by straight north-south and East/West lines, making the larger traditional constellations extend beyond the boundaries of modern astronomical constellations. There are 87 modern constellations; they do not overlay Ptolemy’s 48 original constellations. If the constellations fall on the path of the ecliptic, and extend over the 8 degree orb north and south of the ecliptic, then they fall in the Zodiac [translated as “wheel of light”]
Camelopardalis Giraffe Near north pole, named by Johannes Bartsh in 1661 Cancer Crab Faintest constellation in Zodiac Canes Venatici Hunting dogs Named by Johannes Havelius in 1687 Canis Major Big dog Visible in the north hemisphere in winter Canis Minor Little dog Near Orions feet Capricornus Goat or sea goat Elliptic passes through it Carina Ships Keel Formerly part of Argo Navis, renamed by Lacaille in 1750 Cassiopeia Cassiopeia Queen in Greek myth Centaurus Centaur Half man half horse Greek myth. Contains Proxima Centauri, star closest to Earth. Cepheus Cepheus King in Greek myth Cetus whale Named after sea monster Chamealeon chameleon Named by Bayer in 1603 circinus compass Named by Lacaille in 1`750 columba Dove Named by bayer in 1603 Coma Berenices Berenices hair 3rd century BC queen Corona Australis Southern crown Sagittarius’s crown Corona Borealis Northern crown Known as Ariadnes crown Corvus crow Bird companion of Orpheus Crater cup Crux Southern cross Named by Augustine Royer in 1679 cygnus swan Sometimes known as northern cross Delphinus Dolphin 4 of its stars form an asterism called Job’s coffin Dorado Goldfish [sword fish] Contains large Magellanic cloud. Named by Bayer in 1603 Draco Dragon Dragon slain by Hercules Equuleus Little horse Eridanus River Eridanus Fornax Furnace Named by Lacaille in 1750 Gemini Twins Ecliptic passes through, named because of the stars Pollux and castor. Grus crane Named by Bayer in 1603 Hercules Hercules Greek myth hero Horogium Pendulum clock Named by Lacaille in 1750 Hydra Water monster From Greek myth Hydrus Sea serpent Named by Bayer in 1603 Indus Indian Named by Bayer in 1603 Lacerta Lizard Named by Hevelius in 1687 Leo Lion Visual source of meteor shower in November Leo Minor Little lion Named by Hevelius in 1690 Lepus Hare Prey of Orion Libra scales Ecliptic passes through Lupus Wolf Lynx Lynx Named by Hevelius in 1687 Lyra Lyre mensa Table mountain Contains part of large Magellanic cloud, named by Lacaille in 1750 Microscopium Microscope named by Lacaille in 1750 Monoceros Unicorn Named by Bartsch in 1624 Musca fly Named by Bayer in 1603 Norma Carpenters square Named by Lacaille in 1750 Octans octant Named by Lacaille in 1750 Ophius Serpent bearer Giant in greek myth Orion hunter Rigel, Betelgeuse and bellatrix. Pavo peacock Named by Bayer in 1603 Pegasus Pegasus Square of Pegasus, named after a Greek winged horse Perseus Perseus Appears to be the source of Perseid meteor shower in late July/early August. Pheonix Pheonix Mythical bird, Named by bayer in 1603 Pictor Painter Named by Lacaille in 1750 Pisces Fish Contains vernal equinox Piscis Southern fish Puppis Ships stern Named by Lacaille in 1750 Pyxis Ships compass Named by Lacaille in 1750 Reticulum net Named by Lacaille in 1750 Sagitta arrow One of the 48 constellations listed by ptolemy Sagittarius Archer The centre of the milky way galaxy Scorpius scorpion Part of the Zodiac Sculptor sculptor Named by Lacaille in 1750 Scutum shield Hevelius in 1687 Serpens serpent Sometimes considered as two parts, the head and the tail Sextans sextant Named by Hevelius in 1690 Taurus Bull Contains the Pleiades Telescopium Telescope Named by Lacaille in 1750 Triangulum triangle Contains spiral galaxy M33 Triangulum Australe Southern triangle Named by Bayer in 1603 Tucana toucan Contains small Magellanic cloud, named by Bayer in 1603 Ursa major Big bear Contains asterism ;big dipper Ursa Minor Little bear Contains little dipper and current north star Vela Ships sail Named by Lacaille in 1750, formerly part of Argo Navis Virgo virgin Spica Volans Flying fish Named by Bayer in 1603 |