How many constellations are officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU)?
How many constellations are officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU)?
88 constellations are officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
What is a constellation?
A constellation is a group of stars that appears to form a pattern or picture. Constellations are clearly recognizable patterns that help people orient themselves using the night sky. There are 88 official constellations.
The 88 constellations
In 1930 the International Astronomical Union officially recorded 88 modern and ancient constellations (one of the ancient constellations was divided into 3 parts) and drew a boundary around each. Of these, 37 constellations belong to the northern hemisphere sky and 51 constellations belong to the southern hemisphere sky. The boundary edges meet, dividing the imaginary sphere — the celestial sphere — surrounding Earth into 88 pieces.
88 constellations are officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
What is a constellation?
A constellation is a group of stars that appears to form a pattern or picture. Constellations are clearly recognizable patterns that help people orient themselves using the night sky. There are 88 official constellations.
The 88 constellations
In 1930 the International Astronomical Union officially recorded 88 modern and ancient constellations (one of the ancient constellations was divided into 3 parts) and drew a boundary around each. Of these, 37 constellations belong to the northern hemisphere sky and 51 constellations belong to the southern hemisphere sky. The boundary edges meet, dividing the imaginary sphere — the celestial sphere — surrounding Earth into 88 pieces.
