ASTRONOMY 101

ASTRONOMY

it is the study of the universe

• planets
• stars
• moon
• nebulae
• galaxies

it is the study of phenomena that originate in space

• supernova explosions
• gamma ray bursts
• cosmic radiation

Star

ball of hydrogen and helium

has enough mass to maintain nuclear fusion at its core

- makes star luminous

North Star

named that way because it will always point you to the north

Constellations

patterns on the sky

there are 88 constellations recognized by International Astronomical Union in 1929 (also considered as the official number of constellations)

Big Dipper

not a constellation >> found within the Ursa Major constellation

asterism - a pattern of stars recognized on Earth's night sky. It may form part of an official constellation, or be composed of stars from more than one. (Google)

The Zodiacs

about 12 constellations are forming a line along the equator. 

Aries, Aquarius, Cancer, Capricorn, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Pisces, Sagittarius, Scorpio (Scorpius), Taurus, and Virgo

study of the zodiacs is called astrology/astromancy (totally unrelated to astronomy)

THE LIST OF CONSTELLATIONS

Andromeda (“The Chained Woman”)
Antlia (“The Airpump”)
Apus (“The Bird of Paradise”)
Aquarius (“The Water Bearer”)
Aquila (“The Eagle”)
Ara (“The Altar”)
Aries (“The Ram”) 
Auriga (“The Charioteer”)
Boötes (“The Herdsmen”)
Caelum (“The Sculptor’s Tool”)
Camelopardalis (“The Giraffe”)
Cancer (“The Crab”) 
Canes Venatici (“The Hunting Dogs”)
Canis Major (“The Great Dog”)
Canis Minor (“The Little Dog”)
Capricornus (“The Goat”)
Carina (“The Keel of the Argo”)
Cassiopeia (“The Seated Queen”)
Centaurus (“The Centaur”)
Cepheus (“The King”)
Cetus (“The Whale”)
Chameleon
Circinus (“The Compasses”)
Columba (“The Dove”)
Coma Berenices (“Berenice’s Hair”)
Corona Australis (“The Southern Crown”)
Corona Borealis (“The Northern Crown”)
Corvus (“The Crow” or “The Raven”)
Crater (“The Cup”)
Crux (“The Southern Cross”)
Cygnus (“The Swan”)
Delphinus (“The Dolphin”)
Dorado (“The Swordfish” or “The Goldfish”)
Draco (“The Dragon”)
Equuleus (“The Filly”)
Eridanus (“The Eridanus River”)
Fornax (“The Furnace”)
Gemini (“The Twins”)
Grus (“The Crane”)
Hercules (“The Hero”)
Horologium (“The Clock”) 
Hydra (“The Sea Serpent”)
Hydrus (“The Water Snake”)
Indus (“The Indian”)
Lacerta (“The Lizard”)
Leo (“The Lion”)
Leo Minor (“The Little Lion”)
Lepus (“The Hare”)
Libra (“The Scales”)
Lupus (“The Wolf”)
Lynx (“The Lynx”)
Lyra (“The Harp”)
Mensa (“The Table” or “The Mountain”)
Microscopium (“The Microscope”)
Monoceros (“The Unicorn”)
Musca (“The Southern Fly”)
Norma (“The Rule”)
Octans (“The Octant”)
Ophiuchus (“The Serpent-Bearer”)
Orion (“The Hunter”)
Pavo (“The Peacock”)
Pegasus
Perseus
Phoenix
Pictor (“The Painter” or “The Painter’s Easel”)
Pisces (“The Fish”)
Piscis Austrinus (“The Southern Fish”)
Puppis (“The Poop Deck of the Argo”)
Pyxis (“The Mariner’s Compass”)
Reticulum (“The Net”)
Sagitta (“The Arrow”)
Sagittarius (“The Archer”)
Scorpius (“The Scorpion”)
Sculptor (“The Sculptor”)
Scutum (“The Shield”)
Serpens (“The Serpent”)
Sextans (“The Sextant”)
Taurus (“The Bull”)
Telescopium (“The Telescope”)
Triangulum (“The Triangle”)
Triangulum Australe (“The Southern Triangle”)
Tucana (“The Toucan”)
Ursa Major (“The Great Bear”)
Ursa Minor (“The Little Bear”)
Vela (“The Sail of the Argo”)
Virgo (“The Virgin”)
Volans (“The Flying Fish”)
Vulpecula (“The Fox”)