THE CONSTELLATIONS

Are group of stars that form the familiar pattern in the night sky. Serve as a practical purpose; acting as signposts to various parts of the sky and helping to identify star positions by reference to standard segments of the heaven. Today 88 are officially recognized covering the skies of both northern and southern hemispheres.

PTOLEMY (150 A.D) Compiled a catalog giving the positions of 1022 of the brightest stars linking them with the 48 constellation then recognized.

ALBRECHT DURER A German artist elaborated the maps, drawing figure among the stars to symbolize the various constellation.

JOHANN BODE (1801) German astronomer, first attempt to draw boundaries between the various constellations so that any star could be associated with one.

AQUARIUS The water carrier, from a Persian star-map manuscript of around D.D 1650. VIRGO The maiden, from an 18th century celestial atlas. The sheaf of corn in the hand of Virgo ties in with the time of harvest, when the sign occurs. CRUX AUSTRALIS(THE SOUTHERN CROSS) Is in the path of the mw and its bright stars from a small.

Great bear Is known as the Big Dipper.