Constellations - Page 4

Constellations are recognizable patterns or groupings of stars in the night sky that have been historically associated with specific mythological figures, animals, or objects. These patterns help astronomers and stargazers identify regions of the sky and navigate celestial coordinates. There are 88 officially recognized constellations by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), which cover the entire celestial sphere. The concept of constellations dates back to ancient civilizations, who often used them for navigation, agricultural scheduling, and storytelling. While the stars in a constellation may appear close to each other from Earth's perspective, they are often at vastly different distances from our planet. Each constellation is associated with a specific area of the sky and can contain various stars, nebulae, and other celestial objects.