csillagképet

A csillagkép, often translated as constellation, is a group of stars that appear to form a pattern or picture in the night sky. Historically, these patterns were named by ancient civilizations, often after mythological figures, animals, or objects. The most widely recognized set of constellations comes from the traditions of ancient Greece and Rome.

While the stars within a constellation may appear close together from Earth, they are often vast distances apart in three-dimensional space. Their apparent proximity is a matter of perspective. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially recognizes 88 constellations, each with defined boundaries, covering the entire celestial sphere. These boundaries help astronomers precisely locate celestial objects.

Constellations have been used for navigation, timekeeping, and in various cultural and religious practices throughout history. For example, the position of certain constellations in the sky indicated the changing seasons, which was crucial for agriculture. Modern astronomy uses constellations as a convenient way to divide and map the sky, referring to the region of the sky a particular constellation occupies rather than just the pattern of stars. Many bright stars have individual names, often derived from Arabic or Latin, and these names are associated with the constellation they belong to.