Astronomy Stack Exchange
Astronomy Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [constellations]

Questions about patterns formed by group of prominent stars in the night sky.

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When the sun "enters" a constellation, doesn't it make it impossible to see that constellation?

I was reading on NASA's website about how the Babylonians came up with dividing the sky into different slices and picked a pattern of stars in each slice to represent it. This ties in to astrological signs, and that being born "under" a sign means…
Magnus
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Where are Modern Constellation lines defined?

In an astronomy app name SkyPortal you can see the constellation lines as Modern or Traditional lines. The traditional ones rarely have a resemblance to what they are a symbol of. However, the modern lines make much more sense. Is there any…
Real Dreams
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Polynesian wayfinding techniques - how does this work?

In Disney's "Moana", we get a hint of a Polynesian wayfinding technique of holding your hand to "measure the stars" (note, you're not giving the sky a high-five). We get to see two different constellations measured: Crux (the Southern Cross), and…
rosuav
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Why do some images depict the same constellations differently?

For example, in some images of the constellation Gemini, it is depicted as some sort of strange-looking elongated rectangular sunfish (see Image 1), while in others, it looks like two distinct stickmen (see Image 2). Why is this so? I figured there…
scijam
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What is this constellation?

Every night I see this constellation from my window but I can't identify it. What is this constellation called? Also, it would be helpful if you could clarify on the other stars as well. Actual photo: Pattern:
Lau
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Why do constellation names change (eg from Cancer to Cancri) when used as part of a star's name?

Cancri is what to Cancer? or Leonis Minoris to Leo Minor? Arietis to Aries ? or Lyncis to Lynx. Are they the Flamesteed names, the Latin names, Greek names? What is their name?
MiscellaneousUser
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Is this the Cancer constellation?

In this photo taken by SpaceX during one of their Falcon 9 launches, I noticed a familiar group of stars but I'm not sure of what it really is. I encircled it in red, is this group the Cancer constellation? Original Image
Burning Crystals
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When is the belt of Orion slanted from right to left, going up? (Egypt)

I am trying to match up a detail of the Senemut ceiling to the time of the year it might involve. In the detail (shown below), the belt of Orion is slanted upwards from right to left: Notice that the Orion Nebula is to the right. When I try to…
Tyler Durden
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Which is really larger, Big Dipper or Small Dipper, in 3D

If we take the convex hull of the 3D coordinates of the stars in Ursa Major and Ursa Minor: which hull has larger volume? This is meant semi-humorous but we might also learn some interesting points from good answers, e.g. which metric to use when…
Bernd Elkemann
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Where can I find permissibly licensed database of stars and constellations?

I'm working on a game engine of sorts, and one thing I did for a previous game which was under the GPL was I had a night sky with the constellations visibly connected and I'd like to do that again. I don't know where my data set originally came…
Charles Lohr
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If we could travel far enough would we be able to see a constelation in reverse?

I am enjoying Orion high in the sky this winter as always. I wondered if I could travel beyond it, say 2730 light years* and turn around, would I see Orion in reverse? If so, what of the neighboring constellations. I know brightnesses would be…
Itumac
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Why alpha Andromedae is also known as 21 Andromedae?

I'm revising the Hipparcos catalogue and I've found that alpha Andromeda and 21 Andromedae has the same HIP (677). Why alpha Andromedae is also known as 21 Andromedae?
VansFannel
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Knowing what time to observe a constellation

Suppose you observe a particular constellation at 11 PM on a particular day at what time will you need to observe 2 months later to find the constellation in the same position as in the sky chart?
James
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Overhead (galactic North) view of the stars in and around the Vela Constellation with distance

I am working on a project and would like to have a star map--seen from "above" (Galactic North?) that calls out the stars in the Vela constellation and shows their distance from sol / earth. I realize that any 2D map will not show the Z-axis, but…
Marco Chacon
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Is it possible to observe Polaris and the Southern Cross from the equator during an equinox

Is it possible for an observer at Earth's equator to simultaneously observe Polaris and the Southern Cross during an equinox?
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