What are constellations are made of?
Constellations are made out of stars and stars are made out of spinning clouds of helium and hydrogen.
How were star patterns discovered?
The constellations are invented not discovered. They are just easy ways to remember stars. The stars have been there way before man. Since the beginning of recorded civilization man has been looking at patterns in the sky and using them for navigation, and religion. The invention of the telescope and the discovery of laws of motion and gravity, like Isaac Newton, helped people realize that the stars were just like the Sun and were not related to the ancient myths.
Who was the first to name the constellations?
The ancient people of Rome, Greece, and Egypt were the first to name the constellations. Homer, the famous poet, wrote myths to explain their appearance in the sky. Most of our stars in use today came from Arabic names.
How old are the myths about the constellations?
Before 4,000 B.C. the ancient people had discovered and named Orion. During the second century A.D. Ptolemy of Alexandria officially grouped 48 constellations. The oldest description of the constellations were written in 270 B.C. by a Greek poet named Aratus.
How do they relate to the months?
As the Earth orbits the sun different constellations become visible. Some are visible at night and some are visible during the day.
How often do they appear?
Constellations are on a seasonal basis and you can only see them at different times. In the Northern hemisphere you can see Orion from late April to late August. Some constellations, like the Southern Cross, and CentaurArgo are only visible in the southern hemisphere.
Constellations are made out of stars and stars are made out of spinning clouds of helium and hydrogen.
How were star patterns discovered?
The constellations are invented not discovered. They are just easy ways to remember stars. The stars have been there way before man. Since the beginning of recorded civilization man has been looking at patterns in the sky and using them for navigation, and religion. The invention of the telescope and the discovery of laws of motion and gravity, like Isaac Newton, helped people realize that the stars were just like the Sun and were not related to the ancient myths.
Who was the first to name the constellations?
The ancient people of Rome, Greece, and Egypt were the first to name the constellations. Homer, the famous poet, wrote myths to explain their appearance in the sky. Most of our stars in use today came from Arabic names.
How old are the myths about the constellations?
Before 4,000 B.C. the ancient people had discovered and named Orion. During the second century A.D. Ptolemy of Alexandria officially grouped 48 constellations. The oldest description of the constellations were written in 270 B.C. by a Greek poet named Aratus.
How do they relate to the months?
As the Earth orbits the sun different constellations become visible. Some are visible at night and some are visible during the day.
How often do they appear?
Constellations are on a seasonal basis and you can only see them at different times. In the Northern hemisphere you can see Orion from late April to late August. Some constellations, like the Southern Cross, and CentaurArgo are only visible in the southern hemisphere.