Constellations: what they are, origins and free e-book –

The constellations have been admired and studied since ancient times. Therefore, understanding what they are and what their role is for us is to return to our ancestry and better understand the universe that surrounds us.

It is not known for sure why stars began to be part of human observation and understanding, but the fact is that Archeology points to rock records on the subject that date back more than 17 thousand years!

Therefore, if you want to know more about the mystical side that guides the origin of the constellations and their relationship with different peoples around the globe, check out our text on stars and constellations. 😉

In short, there are 88 officially cataloged constellations, 48 of which were the work of categorization by the Greek scientist Claudio Ptolemy around the year 150 AD. Finally, between the 16th and 17th centuries, European astronomers identified and defined the other 40.

Therefore, follow our index to find out the main information about the constellations and understand why they are so enchanted and studied.

What are constellations?

After finding out what stars are, you can now move on to studying the constellations. This is because they are basically composed of these luminous celestial bodies!

While general knowledge dictates that constellations are basically apparent groupings of stars, modern astronomy goes further and stipulates that they are the division of the celestial sphere into 88 geometrically divided parts.

These regions or parts receive names that were given by astronomers in antiquity or modernity, describing figures that could be identified if there were imaginary lines between the stars.

In short, the names of the constellations are linked to Greek Mythology, animals or objects linked to everyday life.

How important are constellations?

Although many believe that constellations are something exclusively for appreciation, this is not true.

The stars are used as a form of guidance and were vital for maritime expeditions that crossed the oceans. For example, as mentioned in the article stars in the sky, which talks more about celestial maps and their uses over time.

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To this day, they serve as a reference in this sense, and their movement was also important for identifying the seasons, contributing to early agriculture or other studies.

Furthermore, it differentiated astronomy and astrology and allowed inferences to the behavior of kings and other important characters in History.

Why do constellations change places?

Firstly, it is necessary to understand that the Earth is in constant movement, and that both rotation and translation directly interfere with the way in which we observe the Earth’s dome and the stars.

Therefore, as the days pass and the globe rotates around its own axis, different constellations can be seen in the hemispheres and the position changes.

So, understand a little more about this in the video below:

What are the 88 constellations?

As we said, there are 88 constellations cataloged and defended by the International Astronomical Union, they are:

Andromeda;Air Pump;Bird of ParadiseAquarius;Eagle;Altar;Aries;Charioteer;Shepherd;Sculptor’s Burin;Giraffe;Cancer;Hunting Dogs;Canis Major;Canis Minor;Capricorn;Keel;Cassiopeia;Centaur;Cepheus;Whale; Chameleon; Compass; Dove; Hair; Southern Crown; Boreal Crown; Crow; Cup; Southern Cross; Swan; Dolphin; Golden (Fish); Dragon; Horse’s Head; Eridanus; Furnace; Gemini; Crane (Bird); Hercules; Clock;Female Snake;Male Snake;Indian;Lizard;Leo;Leo Minor;Hare;Libra (Scala);Wolf;Lynx;Lyre;Meseta;Microscope;Unicorn;Fly;Ruler;Octant;Serpentarius;Orion;Peacock;Pegasus; Perseus ; of the Ship);Virgo;Flying Fish;Fox;

In this way, the names of the constellations are translated from Latin into Portuguese. So, if you want to check out their meaning and their names in Latin, check out this list of constellations.

What is the largest constellation in the universe?

The Hydra Constellation is the largest grouping of the 88 recorded. Well, it has 1303 square degrees and occupies more than a quarter of the sky.

Interestingly, the myth of the Hydra of Lerna talks about a monster with the body of a dragon and several serpent heads, which in theory would explain its celestial supremacy.

Around it are several constellations, such as: Crab, Canis Minor, Unicorn, Popa, Compass, Wolf, Virgo, Raven, Cup and Sextant.

What is the smallest constellation in the universe?

The smallest constellation of all is Cruzeiro do Sul, which can only be seen from the Southern Hemisphere, as well as from places in the Northern Hemisphere that are very close to the Equator.

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With just 68 square degrees, it is close to the constellations of the Fly, Centauri, as well as the constellations of Compass and Keel.

Zodiac Constellations

The Zodiac Constellations are a group of stars that are located within regions demarcated by an imaginary line, called the Ecliptic. Thus, this line describes the projection of the Sun’s apparent trajectory from the Earth’s point of view.

Thus, throughout the year, we see the sun move across this line, forming the zodiacal zones and comprising 13 constellations that are between two parallels in the latitude of the sky. One being 8º to the north and another 8º to the south of it.

They are: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Ophiuchus, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

Furthermore, they were pointed out by Ptolemy, and through observation and study of them (along with other stars that make up the solar system) that astrology developed.

So, check out the positioning that each of the constellations occupies in the sky and click to find out more about them. Knowing their highlighted objects, the Greek myth that represents them, as well as the characteristics of the natives of each of the signs.

Aries constellation

Firstly, the Aries Constellation occupies the 39th position in relation to the others, when we talk about greatness. Furthermore, it is located between the Constellations of Pisces and Taurus.

Taurus constellation

Among all 88 constellations, the Taurus Constellation ranks 17th in size, as well as being surrounded by the constellations of Aries and Taurus.

Gemini constellation

The Gemini Constellation is the 30th largest constellation in Heaven, being close to the constellations of Cancer, Taurus and Canis Minor.

Cancer Constellation

The Constellation of Cancer occupies 31st place in area, as well as being between the constellations of Leo and Gemini.

Leo constellation

Next, the Constellation of Leo, with a significant 12th place and positioned next to the Constellations of Cancer and Virgo.

Virgo Constellation

Huge, the Constellation of Virgo is second in size in the night sky, in addition, it is close to the Constellation of Libra, Leo, Hair and Snake.

Libra constellation

The constellation of Libra is in 29th place and next to it are the constellations of Scorpio, Serpentarius, as well as the constellation of Virgo.

Scorpio constellation

The 33rd place belongs to the Scorpio Constellation, which is close to the constellations of Sagittarius, Serpentarius, as well as the constellations of Libra and Wolf.

Sagittarius constellation

On the other hand, the Sagittarius Constellation is ranked 15th in size, but is a little difficult to find due to the shape it suggests. In addition, close to it are the constellations of Capricorn, Southern Crown, Serpentarius and Scorpio.

Capricorn constellation

The Capricorn Constellation is smaller and is the 40th constellation in area in the sky, making it one of the most discreet. Thus, around you are Sagittarius, Southern Pisces and Aquarius.

Aquarius Constellation

Despite being very significant in area, ranking 10th in size, the Aquarius Constellation is not so easy to find. Well, its stars are of low magnitude and it is between the Constellations of Capricorn and Pisces.

Pisces Constellation

Finally, the Pisces Constellation is the 14th of the 88 constellations if we take its size into account. Furthermore, its neighbors are also related to water, they are: the Constellation of Aquarius, the Whale and River.

Free e-book: The Constellations and Their Origins

So, did you like knowing a little more about groupings? So, you will love our e-book “The Constellations and Their Origins”, which contains 21 of the main constellations that you need to know.