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2007-01-22 03:59:40 · 5 answers · asked by bubblemae2003 1 in Science & Mathematics Astronomy & Space

5 answers

It is an arbitrary grouping of stars in the night sky which have some design or recognizable figure. There are many depending on the culture within which you were raised.

The IAU (International Astronomical Union) maintains an "official" list used by professional astronomers around the world. There are 88 of them, and most are figures from Greek and/or Roman mythology.

HTH

Charles

2007-01-22 04:13:32 · answer #1 · answered by Charles 6 · 0 0

A constellation is any one of the 88 areas into which the sky - or the celestial sphere - is divided. The term is also often used less formally to denote a group of stars visibly related to each other in a particular configuration or pattern.

Some well-known constellations contain striking and familiar patterns of bright stars. Examples are Ursa Major (containing the Big Dipper), Orion (containing a figure of a hunter), Leo (containing bright stars outlining the form of a lion) and Scorpius (a scorpion). Other constellations do not encompass any discernible star patterns, and contain only faint stars.

2007-01-22 07:07:34 · answer #2 · answered by Answer Champion 3 · 0 0

A constellation is an official area of the sky. Some constellations look like what they are named after, but most do not.

2007-01-22 04:07:07 · answer #3 · answered by bldudas 4 · 0 0

An arbitrary formation of stars perceived as a figure or design, especially one of 88 recognized groups named after characters from classical mythology and various common animals and objects

2007-01-22 04:04:05 · answer #4 · answered by bookgrl 4 · 1 0

In Simple Words-------------- Group of stars put together, which make a picture of something.

From Dictionary.com -----------An arbitrary formation of stars perceived as a figure or design,

2007-01-22 04:29:23 · answer #5 · answered by mostly_forfun 1 · 0 0

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