I: CONSTELLATION IN GENERAL

1. One of the stellar patterns identified by names, usually of mythological gods, people, animals or objects. Also, the region of the sky containing that pattern (has boundary).
2. Usually NOT physically associated with each others.
3. Some constellations have a lot of bright stars (Orion), others mainly contain dim stars.
4. Some might have mystical/religious significance, but also for navigation purpose.
5. As symbolized figures, cause some patterns doesn't look like the subjects.
6. Origin: Nomad in Mesopotamia named some northern constellations in more than 5000 years ago. Include Leo and Taurus. (imagination)
7. More constellations were added by Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek astronomers.
8. Oldest record: Phaenomena, in 270 B.C. by Greek poet Aratus.
9. In 150 A.D., Ptolemy recorded total 48 (nothern) constellations in Almagest.
10. Most of the constellations before 16th century were in nothern sky. After the exoloration/navigation to southern hemisphere, total 44 southern constellation were added.
11. Different cultures grouped stars and named constellation differently.
12. Most of the nothern constellation have associated myth, and most of thesouthern constellations doesn't have any myth, and named with objects like telescope (Telescopium).
13. Today, there are total 88 constellations covered the entire sky, defined by International Astromonical Union in 1928.
14. Statistics:
    • 14 men and women
    • 9 birds
    • 19 land animals
    • 2 insects
    • 10 water creatures
    • 2 centaurs
    • 1 head of hair
    • 1 serpent
    • 1 dragon
    • 1 flying horse
    • 1 river
    • 29 inanimate objects, include scientific instruments

II: ASTERISM & CIRCUMPOLAR CONSTELLATION

1. Asterism: A generally recognized pattern of stars that is not one of the official constellations. Example: Big Dipper, Pleiades.
2. Circumpolar Constellation: A constellation that never sets, as seen from a particular latitude.

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