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  3. Constellation
Observational Astronomy

Constellation

Definition

A group of stars forming a recognizable pattern traditionally named after its apparent form or a mythological figure. The IAU recognizes 88 official constellations covering the entire sky. Stars in a constellation are usually not physically related.

Related Terms

Star

A massive, luminous sphere of hot gas held together by gravity, generating energy through nuclear fusion. Stars range fr...

Zodiac

A belt-shaped sky region extending about 8 degrees north and south of the ecliptic. It includes the constellations throu...

Celestial Sphere

An imaginary sphere of arbitrarily large radius centered on Earth, upon which all celestial objects are projected. Usefu...

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