Constellations, are conventional groupings of stars. This is how the area of astronomy defines them. The position in the night sky is apparently invariable. Generally, the peoples of ancient civilizations have decided to link them through imaginary lines. In this way they have created virtual silhouettes on the celestial sphere. On the contrary, in the vastness of space the stars of a constellation are not necessarily locally associated.
Constellations can be found at hundreds of light years, one from another. Moreover, these groups are completely arbitrary. This is because different cultures have created different constellations, even linking the same stars. Some constellations were devised many centuries ago by people who inhabited the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. If you'd like to learn more about what these constellations were called, you can read our article about the names of the constellations.
Other constellations, those further south, have been named after them by Europeans. This of course happened in more recent times, when exploring these places hitherto unknown to them. Although the peoples who inhabited the southern regions had already named their own constellations according to their beliefs. It is customary to separate the constellations into two groups, depending on the celestial hemisphere where they are:
These constellations are: The northern constellations, which are located north of the celestial equator; and the southern constellations, those that are to the south. However, it was from the year 1928, when the International Astronomical Union (IAU) He decided to officially regroup the celestial sphere into 88 constellations with precise limits, in such a way that every point in the sky would be within the limits of a figure.
constellations in history
Of course, before the year 1928 other minor constellations. However, they later fell into oblivion. Some of them are not even remembered today, since previously the information of many astronomical discoveries was not stored. For this reason, due to the time that has passed and the lack of historical records, it is difficult to know the precise origin of the oldest constellations in the Western world.
According to the research that scientists have been conducting, Leo (the lion), Taurus (the bull) and Scorpio (the scorpion) have been identified as Constellations that existed since ancient times. That is to say, approximately in culture of Mesopotamia, some 4000 years before the Christian era, already existed. However, they were not necessarily named that way before. If you're interested in learning more about the Zodiac, you can check out our article on the ecliptic constellations.
It is not known exactly what was the interest of the people with the Constellations. But it is believed that the interest of these ancient peoples for the arrangement of the stars, had fundamentally practical reasons. It is not like today that it has more investigative purposes, as a way of knowing the Universe. Most of these towns had agricultural purposes. Although they also had purposes with interest regarding travel and religious.
ancient constellations
La International Astronomical Union adopted 88 constellations, and of that total, almost half came from the imagination of Greek astronomers. In the famous literary work "The Odyssey," written in the XNUMXth century BC, Homer mentions the constellation of Orion. However, in Ancient Egypt it was known as Sahu, a thousand years earlier. If you want to delve deeper into this topic, you can read about the constellation of Cancer.
On the other hand, the Zodiac, which is divided into twelve constellations, arose in Babylon. This discovery occurred during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, the sixth century BC. C. The Zodiac was linked to the twelve annual lunations. After this, it was adopted by the Greek culture, giving the constellations their current names.
The detailed collection of the oldest constellations dates back to Claudius Ptolemy, who in the second century a. C. presented a catalog of 1022 stars. These were grouped into 48 constellations, within the work Almagesto. The aforementioned work was written in Greek, with the title Ἡ μεγάλη Σύνταξις (He Megále Syntax: 'the great treatise'). The work was the basis for many subsequent Western astronomical summaries.
Later, through the Middle Ages, only those visible stars from Alexandria. This is where Ptolemy made his observations of him.
China and its Constellations
These are the oldest stellar groupings that exist in the world. These are very different from modern constellations that today are recognized by the UAI. What happens is that the IAU is based on Greek astronomy. This is mainly because the development of Chinese astronomy was independent, although parallel to the Greek.
What they did chinese astronomers, was to divide the sky into 31 regions, called 3 enclosures (三垣 sān yuán) and 28 mansions (二十八宿 èrshíbā xiù). These three enclosures occupy the area near the north pole, so that in high latitudes they can be seen throughout the year, while the twenty-eight mansions occupy the zodiac area, so they can be estimated as the equivalent of the twelve zodiacal constellations. Westerners.
Unlike the western astronomy, the twenty-eight mansions do not reflect the (apparent) movement of the Sun. What is reflected is the movement of the Moon in its monthly journey around the Earth. The three Enclosures and the 28 Mansions are further divided into 283 asterisms. Even each star is assigned to one of the asterisms and some of them only have one star.
hindu culture
This culture has its way of calling the Constellations of Hindu astronomy. In this way, they are called nakshatra (नक्षत्र) or moon mansion. This corresponds to each of the 27 divisions of the sky, identified by the most prominent stars within them, through which the Moon passes during its monthly cycle. This means that each of them represents a division of the ecliptic similar to that of the western zodiac.
How is the starting point for the nakshatras? The answer to this question is that it is the point on the ecliptic, directly opposite the star spica called Chitra. The latter would roughly correspond to the beginning of Aries. However, the aforementioned ecliptic splits into each of the nakshatras to the east, from this point.
Given this the hindu astronomy I make an organized list of Nakshatras. This list is located in the Vedic texts. In addition to that, it can also be found in the Shatapatha Brahmana. The first astronomy text he lists is Lagadha's Vedanga Jyotisha. In Hindu mythology the Nakshastras were invented by Daksha, and are personified as the daughters of the deity and the wives of Chandra, the moon god.
inca astronomy
In this aspect, the astronomy of this culture had as existing only two types of constellations. These constellations are the stellar or brilliant ones and, on the other hand, there were also the constellations that are formed by condensation of dust and interstellar gas. The first, that is, the Stellar or Bright Constellations, were made up of individual stars of very bright magnitudes.
These constellations observed by Inca astronomy constituted a "constellation" in and of themselves. They also constituted others, which, grouped together or joined in the Western way (star to star), formed and continue to form figures in the night sky. If you're interested in learning more about Inca mythology and its relationship with the stars, you can consult the myths about their cosmology.
On the other hand, the second type of Inca constellations are made up of the interstellar gas and dust condensations that as dark spots occupy spaces within the Milky Way.
This last type of constellations, mentioned above, are the ones that form the so-called Dark or Black Constellations. The investigation carried out by the astronomers of the Inca civilization, resulted in the identification of various dark areas of the Milky Way. This helped them notice the shapes of animals, so they decided to associate it with the rainy season. For this reason they are known as "dark constellations".
study of the incas
The studies that were carried out with respect to the Incas show that they knew the synodic revolution of the planets. In addition to this, it indicates that the Incas built a Moon's calendar which was used for religious festivals and a solar one for agriculture. To achieve this purpose, the Incas used features such as mounds around towns to perform observational astronomy.
The calendar built by the Incas consisted of a solar year of 365 days. These were distributed in 12 months of 30 days and with 5 intercalated days. What is known about this calendar is that was determined by observing the sun and the moon. However, to fix the exact dates of the year and months, Pachacutec ordered the construction of 12 towers or pillars located to the east of the llacta of Cuzco, called sucangas.
The constellations were of great importance to the Incas. This culture was very interested in the measurement of time, especially for agricultural purposes. The Incas had their own constellations and to them, the Milky Way was obscured by sacks of coal. In fact, astronomy played a very important role in the construction of their cities.
Stellar or Bright Constellations
within the first constellations of the incas, that is to say the Stellar or Brilliant ones, it is important to mention the following, which will have as their respective order, the Western name, then the Quechua name and finally the Spanish translation:
- Sirius = Willka Wara (Sacred Star).
- Canopus = Qolla Wara (Star of the Qollas).
- Achernar = k'ancha Wara (Bright Star) or Qatachilay (there are two interpretations).
- Antares = Choqechinchay (The golden feline).
- Aldebaran = Chuchu Qoyllur (Star that goes forward or to the center) or Chukchu Qoyllur (Star of Malaria or tertian).
- Open Cluster M7 = Saramama (Mother Corn) or Saramanka (Pot of Corn).
- Open Cluster M45, The Pleiades = Qollqa (Warehouse, deposit) or Qoto (Bunch).
- Las Hyades Open Cluster = Qollqa.
- Lira = The little silver flame or Urkuchillay.
- Scorpion = Choqechinchay or Amaru (Sacred Serpent) (there are two interpretations).
- Orion = Hatun Chakana (The big chakana) or Llaka Unancha – Llakachuqui (there are two interpretations).
- Southern Cross = Huch'uy Chakana (The little chakana).
- Pegasus = Thunawa (Batan for grinding).
- Scorpion Tail = Qollqa
- Center of the Galaxy = Kukamama or Kukamanka (mother coca or pot of coca).
- Tail of the Great Bear = Yakumama (Giant Snake of the jungle).
Dark or Black Constellations
On the other hand, within the Dark or Black Constellations, the following can be mentioned, in the respective order with Quecha name and its translation into Spanish:
- Yakana or Qatachilay = The Sidereal Flame.
- Uña Llama or Huch'uy Llama = The baby of the llama.
- Atoq = the fox.
- Michiq = The shepherd.
- Kuntur = The condor.
- Lluthu = The partridge (some sources say that there are two).
- Hanp'atu = The toad.
- Mach'aqway = The snake (not to be confused with the Amaru).
- Ukhumari = The bear (confusingly placed).
- Taruka or Lluych'u = The deer (confusingly located).
- Puma (confusingly located).
- Urk'uchillay = The black flame (male).
southern constellations
For the years surrounding between 1877 and 1879, the Argentine National Observatory (today called the Cordoba Astronomical Observatory) published the atlas and catalog of the famous Argentine Uranometry. This atlas is the one that contains the positions and brightness of all stars visible to the naked eye between the South Pole and declination -10°.
In the work that was elaborated within the catalog, the ordering and systematization of the stellar denominations and constellation boundaries. These are the ones that were unequivocally defined and for this reason are involved within the atlas. The director in charge of the observatory in Argentina, Dr. Benjamin A. Gould, consults with various astronomers and carries out a detailed analysis.
The comparison made of the constellation limits were suggested by Bayer, Nicolas Louis de Lacaille and john herschel. However, special consideration was given to the suggestions made by the last of these astronomers. As a result of this extensive and detailed research, the issue of the names of the constellations and their boundaries was resolved as follows: For further information on the southern constellations, check out our guide.
The constellations that were proposed by Ptolemy and Johannes Hevelius are preserved as a unique form. In addition to this, the 14 that were introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, on the occasion of the astronomical expedition that he carried out between 1751 and 1752 in the Cape of Good Hope. On the other hand, the gigantic and famous constellation argo is definitely divided into three: Carina, Puppis and Vela.
Naming of southern constellations
It became uniform that the names were used in their Latin form. In addition, a single word was used, which follows a criterion after it was definitively adopted. So far there are only three cases that have two names, however this is because they have to distinguished from a boreal constellation with the same name. Canis Major also has two names, so it can be differentiated from Canis Minor.
Another objective that the denominations of the southern constellations, is that in this way the limits are also fixed. This is done by following the meridians of right ascension and parallels of declination. Where this could not be possible, regular curves approximated as far as possible to larger circles were also evaluated. In addition, this catalog uses the equinox in the coordinates, used in the year 1875.
lost constellations
There is another series of asterisms that had a very ephemeral and fleeting existence, which made them become lost constellations. Many of them have come to stop being used by current astronomers. However, they also existed, as well as the groups that have been previously mentioned, which were proposed, mostly during the XNUMXth century and that never enjoyed the endorsement of the community.
In particular, the case of the constellation of Antinous, also called the constellation of Antinous, can be mentioned. It is very likely that this is the only ancient constellation that fell into disuse. Be supposed to Antinous it was the figure of a young Greek whom the emperor Hadrian favored, before any other.
The stars that made up this constellation corresponded to a small group south of Aquila, the eagle. According to recorded history, Hadrian created this constellation in 132 AD after the death of the aforementioned teenager. He supposedly sacrificed himself to save the emperor's life.
Other lost constellations
Apis, the bee (1603): this constellation later became Musca Australis, our current Musca.
Cancer Minor, constellation in the shape of the little crab (1613).
Cerberus, also called as the constellation of the dog that guards the gates of hell.
Custos Messium, is the one that is said to be the guardian of the harvest (1775).
Felis, the cat (1805).
Frederici Honours, The Glory of Frederick, King of Prussia (1787).
Gallus, the rooster (cs XVII).
Globus Aerostaticus, the hot air balloon (1798).
Jordanus, the Jordan River.
Lochium Funis, this was created by Johann Elert Bode using some stars from Pyxis (only he recognized it).
Machina Electrica, also known as the electrical machine or generator of electricity (1800).
Malus, is the mast of the Ship of Argos.
Mons Maenalus, also known as the mountain.
Musca Borealis, or the boreal fly.
Noctua, the owl (same asterism as Turdus Solitarius).
Officina Typographica, the printing press (cs XVIII).
Phoenicopterus, the flamingo (1787).
Polophylax, the guardian of the pole (cs XVII).
Psalterium Georgii, the harp of King George III (1781).
Quadrans Muralis, The Quadrant (1795).
Ramus Pomifer, the branch of the apple tree.
Robur Carolinum, the Charles oak (1679).
Sceptrum Brandenburgicum, the Brandenburg Scepter (1688).
Sceptrum et Manus Iustitiae, literally scepter and hand of justice (1679).
Solarium, the sundial.
Tarandus vel Rangifer, the deer or stag (1736).
Taurus Poniatovii, the bull of Poniatowski, King of Poland (1777).
Telescopium Herschelii, Herschel's telescope.
Testudo, the tortoise.
Tigris, the Tigris River.
Turdus Solitarius, the solitary thrush (or blackbird) (1776).
Triangulum Minor, the little triangle.
Vespa, the wasp (cs XVII).
current constellations
For the most part, the constellation boundaries, follow the lines, equally imaginary, imposed by the International Astronomical Union from 1928 to 1930. These limits use as a guide the lines of declination and right ascension for the period of 1875. For this reason there are no diagonal lines. Since then and due to precession (the displacement of the Earth's axis with respect to the stars).
Within these limits they have moved, but the area covered by each sign has remained the same. According to those terms, the Southern Cross is the smallest constellation of the sky: with only 68 square degrees, it covers barely 1/600 of the sky. The largest is Hydra, which with 1300 square degrees covers 3% of the total sky. And the three largest constellations cover 10% of the sky, or as much as the 27 smallest. If you want to know the characteristics of the constellations, you can consult our article on the characteristics of the constellations.
The constellations have lost the importance that years ago they had in our days. Now the professional astronomers they refer to objects by their position on the celestial sphere, using the coordinate system. Generally speaking, constellations are still known and studied only by amateur astronomers.
observed constellations
Correctly identify the constellations, can be done by identifying or observing the stars that draw their figures. That is why it is necessary that people who live in cities or bordering areas see very few of them because the Light pollution adversely affects the visibility of the dimmest stars. Light pollution is when there is light generated in excess by man and it escapes into the environment.
What is recommended is to find a dark place to observe. It is necessary first of all, if we want to learn them rigorously and correctly, that we start with one, that is, the first that we have seen and recognized in our lives. From here, we are moving with the view of the constellations that it has by its side, as long as we have a map of the night sky or a guide for the naked eye.
What we need to identify the drawings on the paper in the celestial sphere is called a guide for the naked eye. In fact, you can buy one at any bookstore. Once a constellation in the night sky, the others are taken out automatically. The difficult part is the first one, since you have to look for a person who knows one, only one, and that will be enough to start on the map.
During ancient times, only a few bright stars were given proper names (some were even considered constellations themselves). Later, the Arabs, with their dedication to astronomical observation, assigned names to many others. The vast majority responded to the position that corresponds to each star within its constellation.
Constellation Examples
The star Aldebaran, which is the brightest of Taurus, comes from the Arabic al-Dabaran (الدبران), this term means 'the one who follows' (to the Pleiades). In that same constellation is also Alnath (or Elnath), from the Arabic an-Nath (النطح), which means "the tip of the horn". In addition to this, the traditional proper names (of Greek, Latin or Arabic origin), the stars receive a name formed by a letter of the Greek alphabet in lower case.
Following that decreasing order of its apparent magnitude (in general terms, although the sequence does not apply in some cases). The system was started by johann bayer at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. Later John Flamsteed assigned Arabic numerals to identify the stars in each constellation. In both systems, the letters or numbers are followed by the Latin genitive of the constellation name.
In the same way, Aldebaran and Alnath are also known as Alpha (α) and Beta (β) Tauri in the Bayer system, or 87 and 112 Tauri in the Flamsteed system, respectively. They may also receive other names, depending on the various catalogs that have been compiled and of which they are a part. In this way, the same star can receive many names.
On the other hand, the double stars or variables follow other nomenclatures, according to their respective catalogues. Likewise, within the limits of the constellations there are other objects that are not stars (planetary nebulae, galaxies, etc.) and that have been classified and named following several additional catalogs (Messier, NGC, IC).
The first to make a classification of this kind As for the Constellations, it was Charles Messier; thus, for example, M31 designates the Andromeda Galaxy. In this way, the organization of stars into galaxies and constellations began. Thanks to this contribution, today each of the types of constellations that exist in universal space can be known in an organized way.
