If you look up at the sky at night you will find an immense sea of stars (especially if you live far from the city). Constellations formed by groups of stars form a star map with a lot of history behind it that fascinates everyone.
Formerly The constellations were very useful to allow humans to orient themselves in very large spaces. where the only point of reference was the sky. Sailors, in the middle of the sea, were guided by the position of the stars to establish the course of their ships. Although they were not the only ones to make use of this knowledge to survive.
It is true that today there are compasses, solving this orientation problem, but it never hurts to know how to identify the Major constellations of the northern skyIf you are a fan of the cosmos you will surely want Learn to locate the constellations easily most relevant.
Little Bear
Business Insider Spain
The Little Dipper is one of the most recognizable constellations. Not only because of its shape, like a kind of casserole formed by 7 stars, but because at the ‘tip of the handle’ there is the most famous star in the northern sky: the North Star.
This celestial body has served for many years as key point to locate the northWhen the sky is clear, one can orient oneself without the aid of a compass by locating the position of this very bright star.
Big Dipper
Business Insider Spain
Like its sister, Ursa Minor, this constellation has the same saucepan shape. However, The Big Dipper is larger in size, so it is easier to locate it in the sky with the naked eye.Some representations have added other stars to this constellation to make the shape of a bear.
Once this group of stars was located, If you draw a diagonal line down to the left, you can find the Little DipperThe best time to see this great constellation is in spring (although it can be observed all year round).
Orion
Business Insider Spain
Locating this constellation is very simple. Especially if youReference stars are the trio of stars located in the center of this that make up Orion’s BeltThe best time to see it is in winter. However, it can also be seen a few hours before dawn during the autumn months.
A peculiarity of this constellation is that can be seen from both hemispheres due to its position relative to the equator. If you draw a straight line from Orion’s Belt you reach Sirius, the brightest star in the sky.which belongs to the constellation Canis Major. However, this constellation can only be observed from the southern hemisphere.
What is an astrological chart? Everything you need to know to interpret yours
Cassiopeia
Business Insider Spain
There are 5 stars that form this constellation with a shape that may well resemble an ‘M’ or a ‘W’. It is located just opposite the Big Dipper in the northern sky.. Following the handle of the Little Dipper, although deviating slightly to the left, you should have no problem finding it.
It is a constellation that can be difficult to see with the naked eye. since it camouflages itself among the millions of stars that can be seen in the sky by not having a very defined shape. Taking into account these tricks to locate it, finding it should not be a problem.
Cepheus
Business Insider Spain
The peculiar shape of this constellation can make it easy to find it on the imaginary drawing map that forms the sky. You can see it as a group of stars that form a kind of house with legs ready to run away.
Finding it in the sky is easy if you locate the North Star. The tip of the roof of the house is one of the stars that is closest to the most characteristic point of the northern hemisphere.. Immediately you will see the house located next to Casiopea.
Draco
Business Insider Spain
On the other side of Cepheus, there is Draco, a constellation that is known to be the most elongated in the Earth’s skyIt has a very peculiar shape made up of 15 stars that makes you think of a flying dragon.
This constellation separates the Big Dipper from the Little Dipper by the ‘tail’ part So by placing these constellations in the sky it is very easy to find what is probably the favorite group of fans of Harry Potter.
Zodiac signs
Business Insider Spain
The horoscope also has its place in the cosmos. The 12 signs are spread along the eclipticformed by the intersection of the plane of the Earth’s orbit with the celestial sphere, which is why some can only be seen in one of the hemispheres.
The Zodiacal constellations that can be seen from the northern hemisphere They are Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer and Leo. Some of these can be seen fully while others can only be seen in part due to their position relative to the equator.
Learn how we work at .
Tags: astronomy, science, curiosities, lists