From the earliest times the star groups known as constellations, the smaller groups (parts of constellations) known as asterisms, and also individual stars have received names connoting some meteorological phenomena or symbolizing religious or mythological beliefs.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/constellation
A constellation is essentially a specific area of the celestial sphere, though the term is more often associated with a chance grouping of stars in the night sky. Technically, star groupings are known as asterisms, and the practice of locating and assigning names to them is known as asterism.
https://www.universetoday.com/19516/constellations/
Science >> Physics >> Astronomy. What is a constellation? A constellation is a group of visible stars that form a pattern when viewed from Earth. The pattern they form may take the shape of an animal, a mythological creature, a man, a woman, or an inanimate object such as a microscope, a compass, or a crown. How many constellations are there?
http://www.ducksters.com/science/physics/constellations.php
1. (Astronomy) a. any of the 88 groups of stars as seen from the earth and the solar system, many of which were named by the ancient Greeks after animals, objects, or mythological persons. b. an area on the celestial sphere containing such a group. 2. a gathering of brilliant or famous people or things.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Constellation+(astronomy)
IAU Constellations: The International Astronomical Union (IAU) currently has a list of 88 accepted constellations. This is largely due to the work of Henry Norris Russell, who in 1922, aided the IAU in dividing the celestial sphere into 88 official sectors.
https://www.universetoday.com/19516/constellations/
The word constellation has its roots in the Late Latin term constellatio, which can be translated as “set of stars”. A more functional definition would be a recognizable pattern of stars whose appearance is associated with mythical characters, creatures, or certain characteristics.
https://www.universetoday.com/19516/constellations/
Constellation, in astronomy, any of certain groupings of stars that were imagined—at least by those who named them—to form conspicuous configurations of objects or creatures in the sky. Constellations are useful in tracking artificial satellites and in assisting astronomers and navigators to locate certain stars.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/constellation
The definition of a constellation is a group of stars that create a pattern in the sky. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) met for the first time in 1922. They picked the 88 constellations which we use today.
http://www.yourdictionary.com/constellation
The definition of a constellation is a group of stars that create a pattern in the sky. Facts About Constellations. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) met for the first time in 1922. They picked the 88 constellations which we use today.
http://www.yourdictionary.com/constellation
asterism - (astronomy) a cluster of stars (or a small constellation) star - (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Constellation+(astronomy)
constellation definition astronomy
In astronomy, the constellation is a group of visible stars that form a pattern when viewed from Earth.