Constellations

Constellations are patterns of stars that form shapes in the night sky. Since ancient times, humans have connected stars to form figures of animals, mythological characters, and objects. There are 88 officially recognized constellations.

Famous Constellations

• Orion: The Hunter, visible worldwide, contains the famous Orion Nebula
• Ursa Major: The Great Bear, contains the Big Dipper asterism
• Cassiopeia: The Queen, easily recognized by its W-shape
• Scorpius: The Scorpion, prominent in summer skies
• Cygnus: The Swan, also known as the Northern Cross

Zodiac Constellations

The zodiac constellations are the 12 constellations that lie along the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the sky. These include Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, and Pisces.

Northern vs Southern Sky

Different constellations are visible from different latitudes. The Northern Hemisphere has constellations like Ursa Major and Cassiopeia, while the Southern Hemisphere features the Southern Cross and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds.