The Universe February 2014 | Page 9

Constellations

Constellations are bright stars that appear close together in space.

The stars are not actually close together but appear together from our frame of reference.

What type of constellation you can view depends on your point of view from the latitude that you are viewing from.

There are two types of constellations, the first being circumpolar, a non-rising and setting constellation. The other type is seasonal, a constellation that rises and sets.

A parsec (pc) = 3.26 light years, Kiloparcec (kpc) =1000

Fun Fact!