Constellations

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Constellation is a group of stars visible within a particular region of the night sky. The stars that appear in the form of closed groups and form recognizable shapes and patterns are known as constellations. There are about 88 different constellations across the whole sky. But no one can see them all. This is because people in the northern part of the world see different stars from people living in the south. There are far more bright stars in the southern skies than in the north.

ConstellationsOur ancestors named these star groups or constellations after the objects, which they seemed to resemble. Each constellation has been assigned a name signifying an animal, a human being or some other object, which it appears to resemble. The Indian name for the constellations is "Nakshatras".

Some of the important constellations are:

• Ursa Major (or Great bear) "Saptarishi"

• Ursa Minor (or Little bear) "Laghu Saptarishi"

• Orion (or Hunter) "Mirga"

• Scorpio "Vrishchika"

• Pleides "Kruttika"

Ursa Major

The arrangement of stars in Ursa Major constellation is shown in the figure. The great bear constellation reminds us of a large ladle or a question mark studded in the sky. The Ursa Major is called great bear because its stars are arranged in such a way that they also seem to form the outline of a great bear. This constellation consists of seven bright stars arranged in a pattern resembling somewhat a big bear.

Ursa Major

The stars marked 1, 2, 3 and 4 are supposed to form the body of the bear whereas the stars marked 5, 6 and 7 form the tail of the big bear. The head and paws of this bear are formed from some other faint stars not shown in the figure. This constellation can be seen clearly in April in summer season in the northern part of the sky at night.

Ursa Minor

This constellation is also a closed group of seven stars. The arrangement of stars in Ursa Minor is similar to those in Ursa Major, the only difference being that the stars here are closer together and appear to form the outline of a little bear. The stars here are less bright than those of Ursa Major.

Ursa Minor

At the end of the tail of Ursa Minor is a very important star of average brightness, which is called the pole star. This constellation is also sometimes called the pole star constellation. It can be seen in the northern part of the sky in July during the summer season.

Orion

The arrangement of stars in the Orion constellation is as shown in the figure. Orion means hunter. The arrangement of stars here is supposed to resemble a hunter.

Orion Constellation

The major stars of Orion shown in the figure are supposed to form the body of a hunter. The head and limbs of the hunter are formed from other faint stars, which are not shown in the figure. The constellation is visible during the winter season.

Scorpio

The arrangement of stars in this constellation is as shown in the figure.

Scorpio

The Scorpio constellation closely resembles a scorpion complete with tail and pincers. This constellation is usually visible in the summer season.

Pleiades

This constellation does not have any particular arrangement of stars, which can be compared, to a definite shape.

Pleiades

This constellation looks like a cluster of twinkling gems in the night sky. This constellation is visible in winter season.

Night Sky

Month by month, as the earth orbits the sun, we can watch the constellations move across the sky. In summer, in northern skies, we can see the little bear with its long tail. In winter, a very different pattern of stars lies above. Orion, the hunter, one of the most beautiful constellations, can be clearly seen.