The Cambridge Guide to the ConstellationsConstellations are not new to astronomy. Even before the era of printing, patterns of stars have been recognized by humans and their histories have been passed on from generation to generation, culture to culture. This book is the ultimate constellation reference book. Finally, a book exists that brings together a variety of information about constellations, including: the size, visibility, and relative brightness of all eighty-eight constellations; former locations of extinct constellations; the number of visible stars in each constellation; and more. Using tables, this information is presented in the first part of the book so that constellations can be readily compared and a general view of them developed. In the second part of the book, each constellation is taken in turn, with a star chart and map illustrating the associated celestial figure, supported by a comprehensive list of essential properties. This highly illustrated volume provides the most complete reference to date covering all aspects of the constellations and will be helpful for astronomers, both amateur and professional, educators and science writers. |
Contents
Explanations for lists | 5 |
Alphabetical list of the constellations with meanings | 16 |
Biblical References to the constellations and stars | 24 |
brightest stars | 31 |
Apus | 36 |
Directional extremes | 39 |
The magnitude system | 49 |
Meteor showers | 58 |
Names of constellations around the world | 66 |
The navigational stars | 72 |
The new constellations created since the time of Ptolemy | 82 |
148 | 85 |
Camelopardalis | 101 |
Common terms and phrases
Andromeda Antlia Aquarius Aquila Aries Auriga Boötes Bordering constellations Caelum Camelopardalis Canes Venatici Canis Major Canis Minor Capricornus Carina Cassiopeia Centaurus Cepheus Cetus Chamaeleon Circinus Coma Berenices composition and location constellation Cordoba Corona Australis Corona Borealis Cygnus Delphinus Directional extremes Dorado Draco Equuleus Eridanus Figure represented Fornax Galactic cluster Gemini Globular cluster Grus Hercules Horologium Hydra Hydrus Lacerta Leo Minor Lepus Libra Luyten Lynx Lyra Mensa Messier objects Meteor showers Microscopium Midnight culmination date Monoceros Musca Nebula number of stars Octans Ophiuchus Original composition Orion Overall brightness Pegasus Perseus Pictor Pisces Piscis Austrinus Puppis Pyxis Sagitta Sagittarius Scorpius Scutum Serpens Sextans Solar conjunction date Spiral galaxy Stellar magnitudes Taurus Telescopium Triangulum Australe Tucana Ursa Major Ursa Minor Vela Virgo Visible stars Volans Vulpecula Wolf