Show me the sky!

When we gaze up at the night sky, we often identify familiar shapes formed by stars — the Big Dipper, Orion, Cassiopeia. But what are constellations really?

Constellations are essentially patterns that humans have imposed on the night sky. They are not physical groupings of stars that are close together in space. In fact, the stars in a single constellation can be separated by hundreds or thousands of light-years and have no real connection beyond our viewpoint from Earth.

The names and shapes of constellations originate from ancient civilizations — notably the Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans — who used the stars for navigation, storytelling, and agricultural calendars. Over time, these patterns became part of cultural lore, often associated with myths and legends.

In 1928, the International Astronomical Union standardized 88 official constellations that cover the entire celestial sphere. These defined regions help astronomers and skywatchers reference specific locations in the sky, much like countries on a map.

So next time you identify Orion’s Belt or the shape of Scorpius, remember: the stars might be distant and unrelated, but the lines we draw between them tell a very human story — one of curiosity, culture, and our desire to make sense of the cosmos.