Tähtikuvioa

Tähtikuvioa is the Finnish word for constellation. In astronomy, a constellation is a group of stars that appears to form a recognizable pattern or image in the night sky. Historically, these patterns were often named after mythological figures, animals, or inanimate objects. Ancient cultures used constellations for navigation, timekeeping, and religious purposes.

There are officially recognized constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The IAU divides the entire celestial sphere into 88 constellations, each with precisely defined boundaries. This standardization ensures that every star in the sky belongs to one and only one constellation. While the stars within a constellation may appear close together from Earth, they are often at vastly different distances from us. The patterns are thus a result of our perspective.

Some of the most well-known constellations include Ursa Major, which contains the Big Dipper asterism, Orion with its prominent belt, and Leo, the lion. Many constellations are visible only from certain hemispheres. For example, the Southern Cross is a prominent constellation in the Southern Hemisphere, while Polaris, the North Star, is part of Ursa Minor and a key navigational star in the Northern Hemisphere. The study and mapping of constellations have been fundamental to the development of astronomy throughout history.