Konstellation

Konstellation is a term used in astronomy to describe a recognized pattern of stars as seen from Earth. A konstellation, or constellation, consists of a group of stars that appears to form a shape in the sky, but the stars lie at different distances from the Sun and are not physically connected. The concept has historical and contemporary importance: ancient cultures used star patterns for navigation, timekeeping, and myth-making; modern astronomy uses constellations as a framework to map the celestial sphere.

Most of the modern framework comes from the International Astronomical Union's designation of 88 official constellations that cover the entire sky. These constellations serve as boundaries for celestial coordinates and help astronomers reference objects. The names are largely Latin or Latinized, and many familiar shapes come from Greco-Roman tradition, though numerous cultures have their own patterns and names.

Zodiac constellations lie along the ecliptic and have historically been used in calendars and astrology. Asterisms, such as the Big Dipper within Ursa Major or the Summer Triangle, are patterns that span multiple constellations and are commonly used by observers.

Visibility depends on latitude and season; some constellations are circumpolar and visible year-round from high latitudes, while others are best seen at specific times of year. In modern astronomy, constellations provide a practical framework for star charts, observations, and education, and they appear in literature, art, and cultural astronomy.