A constellation is a group of stars. Early astronomers divided the sky into regions that had a distinct group of stars. In 1930, the International Astronomical Union officially set the constellation names and boundaries. There are 88 constellations, in which each star is associated with only one constellation. A quarter of the constellation is visible only from the southern latitude and half of the remainder are quite faint. As the Earth orbits the Sun, many constellations can be seen only during certain times of the year.
The easiest to find constellations are Circumpolar stars. They are
- Big Dipper
- Little Dipper
- Draco
- Cassiopeia
- Cephous
- Orion
Big Dipper
It is visible in the north sky. It is made up of seven stars which are fairly bright & could be easily spotted. The Big Dipper is shaped like a saucepan with a handle on it. It is a part of larger constellation called Ursa Major(Big Bear). The Big Dipper is used as a guide around the sky.
Little Dipper
The North Star is the end star of the Little Dipper handle. The Big Dipper and the Little Dipper face each other. The Little Dipper forms the constellation of Ursa Minor (Little Bear).
Draco
Draco, the dragon, wraps its tail around the Little Dipper and comes between the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper.
Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper are the opposite sides of the North Star. Follow the pointer stars and continue until you come to a W-shaped constellation of five stars named after a mythical queen, the constellation looks like a point in a crown.
Cepheus
It is found between Cassiopeia and the North Star. It is difficult to see because of its fainter stars.
Orion
Orion, the Mighty Hunter, is a very important constellation for finding other constellation, especially during winters. It is a constellation made up of seven blue-white stars. Three evenly spaced stars in the middle of the constellation form the Hunters ‘belt’. Hanging down from the belt is a ‘sword’ the Orion Nebula. ‘Rigel’ is the brightest star in the Orion.