Constellations
Which stars and
Constellations are formed of bright stars which appear
close to each other on the sky, but are really far apart in
space. The shapes you see all depend on your point of
view. Many societies saw patterns among the stars
with gods and goddesses or stories from their culture.
Most of the constellations with which we are familiar
come from ancient Greece. But other civilizations
created their own patterns in the sky based on stories
and people that were important to them.
Many peoples noticed that
the planets, the moon, and cometsmoved through the
sky in a different way than the stars.
Because of the rotation of the Earth and its orbit around
the Sun, we divide the constellations into two groups.
Some constellations never rise nor set, and they are
calledcircumpolar. All the rest are divided
into seasonalconstellations. Which constellations will be
circumpolar and which seasonal depends on your
latitude.
Northern Circumpolar Constellations
Because of the rotation of the Earth and its orbit around
the Sun, we divide the stars and constellations into two
groups. Some stars and constellations never rise nor set,
and they are called circumpolar. All the rest are divided
Southern Hemisphere Constellations
Many different constellations fill the evening sky in the
southern hemisphere. Depending on your location and
the season, different constellations can be seen.
Southern circumpolar constellations can be seen all
year long in the night sky of the southern hemisphere.
In the southern hemisphere, there is no bright pole star.
This image shows an illustration of Crux - the Southern
Cross.
into seasonal stars and constellations.
constellations will be circumpolar and which seasonal
depends on your latitude. In the northern hemisphere,
we will always be able to see stars and constellations in
the the northern circumpolar sky, while in the southern
hemisphere, we will always be able to see stars and
constellations in the southern circumpolar sky.
Constellations in the northern circumpolar sky include
Auriga, Camelopardalis, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco,
Lynx, Perseus, Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor. These
constellations are always visible in the night sky of the
Northern Hemisphere.
Constellations in the southern circumpolar sky include
Grus, Phoenix, Indus, Tucana, Pavo, Ara, Eridanus,
Hydrus, Horologium, Reticulum, Octans, Apus,
Triangulum Australe, Lupus, Circinus,
Musca, Crux, Centaurus, Carina, Vela, Puppis, Dorado,
and Chamaeleon. These constellations are always
visible in the night sky of the Southern Hemisphere.
Northern Hemisphere Constellations
Many different constellations fill the evening sky in the
northern hemisphere. Depending on your location and
the season, different constellations can be seen.
Northern circumpolar constellations can be seen all
year long in the night sky of the northern hemisphere,
and appear to circle about the Pole star.
 Northern
Northern Spring Northern Summer Northern Autumn Northern Winter
Circumpolar
Constellation Constellations Constellations Constellations
Constellations
Cassiopeia Bootes Aquila Andromeda Canis Major
Cepheus Cancer Cygnus Aquarius Cetus
Draco Crater Hercules Capricornus Eridanus
Ursa Major Hydra Lyra Pegasus Gemini
Ursa Minor Leo Ophiuchus Pisces Orion
Virgo Sagittarius Perseus
Scorpius Taurus

Southern
Southern Spring Southern Summer Southern Autumn Southern Winter
Circumpolar
Constellation Constellations Constellations Constellations
Constellations
Carina Andromeda Canis Major Bootes Aquila
Centaurus Aquarius Cetus Cancer Cygnus
Southern Cross Capricornus Eridanus Crater Hercules
Pegasus Gemini Hydra Lyra
Pisces Orion Leo Ophiuchus
Perseus Virgo Sagittarius
Taurus Scorpius