How do you tell which constellation is which?

Practice,Practice,Practice

WallyHow do you tell which constellation is which?go to skymaps great ones to print out to use. http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html



Here is a great article from glenn Chaple

http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.asp鈥?/a>



Since April is creeping up fast here's a cool site

http://www.seasky.org/constellations/con鈥?/a>How do you tell which constellation is which?By the distinct patterns of stars that form them. Some are very easy to identify, like Ursa Major and Orion. Some are faint and harder to identify like Cancer or Cepheus. The best way to identify constellations is to get a star chart and go outside and look for them. You can download this star chart for free:



http://stellarium.org/How do you tell which constellation is which?Each constellation has a distinctive pattern of stars. The hardest part is identifying your first constellation, because the constellations in the sky look quite different from the constellations on a printed star chart: they're much larger, for starters. Once you've identified one constellation, it becomes easier to identify others in relation to the first.



At this time of year, Orion is a good constellation to start with because it has mostly bright stars and a very distinctive pattern: a vertical rectangle with a diagonal of three stars in the middle. Once you've identified Orion, use its "Belt" to point to Sirius in Canis Major in one direction and Aldebaran in Taurus in the other. Then use the bright stars in its corners (Rigel and Betelgeuse) to point to Castor and Pollux in Gemini.How do you tell which constellation is which?
As 'Geoff G' has suggested start off with 'Orion'. The region around it (it included) has about 8 (Sirius, Canopus in the distance if you can, Capella, Rigel, Procyon, Achernar,Betelgeuse %26amp; Aldebaran) of the 20 brightest stars and a large number of 2nd magnitude stars. Get familiar with them by observing them everyday. We all (Astronomers, including Amateurs like me) did it, for the love of it.

Watch the seven stars of Ursa Major low down in the North (as you are in USA) that will rotate to a high position in Summer (after 2 months). Gradually you will get Arcturus (in Bootes) as pointed by the last pair in Ursa Major's seven and Vega in Lyra. With these as reference you'll get the other stars also (of the first magnitude 20). Only then can you extend your knowledge (or memory) to the actual delineation of 'Constellations' one by one. Another interesting feature is the 'Great square of Pegasus' in Early spring (or before Sunrise now).

All bright stars are designated as belonging to one or the other constellation; if it is the brightest in the constellation it is designated as Greek 'Alpha' or 'Beta' at times (Beta Orionis or Rigel is the brightest while Alpha Orionis, Betelgeuse is the next brightest) as Bayer's nomenclature. You must follow a book that gives star charts and easy 'pointers' (like the first pair of Ursa Major pointing to Pole Star) with suitable tips. There are many on the shelves of a good book shop.

It is a rewarding experience if (only) the street-lights in your area allow you to look at the stars. Naked (unaided) Eye can see about 5000 stars (I listed 5033 up to magn. 6.01) depending on the individual's eye sight and 'seeing' conditions in your location.