Stargazing is a timeless hobby and a bit like discovering a hidden treasure chest in the sky. To unlock the treasure, the keys are constellations and asterisms.

For a beginner, one of the best ways to start your stargazing journey is by familiarizing yourself with constellations and asterisms. In this article, we’ll break down the basics of these celestial patterns, so you can confidently navigate the night sky and uncover its secrets.

So, let’s dive in!

Constellations

It required some imagination to learn about constellations, especially for beginners. Can you imagine the night sky as a vast canvas sprinkled with stars? Constellations are the beautiful, whimsical patterns that our ancestors saw in these stars and wove into tales and myths.

Today, they are our stellar roadmaps, helping us identify and locate celestial objects. The sky is divided into 88 official constellations, each with its own unique story and starry arrangement.

But what exactly is a constellation? It’s a grouping of stars that, when you connect the dots with imaginary lines, form a recognizable shape.

These shapes are often inspired by mythology, history, or nature. For example, the constellation Orion, with its distinctive “belt” of three stars, is named after a legendary hunter from Greek mythology.

Recognizing constellations can be like connecting the dots in a cosmic puzzle. To make it a bit easier is to use bright stars, as the guide or reference points.

For beginners, starting with a few prominent constellations like the Big Dipper (asterism of Ursa Major) or Cassiopeia can be the easiest way to dive into the world of stargazing.

Asterisms

Asterisms are the distinct star patterns within a constellation. They are smaller, unofficial star patterns that consist of bright stars within the larger constellations. While constellations often consist of numerous stars, asterisms are more compact and a lot easier to identify.

One of the most famous asterisms is the “Summer Triangle,” made up of three bright stars: Vega, Deneb, and Altair.

This delightful trio spans across three different constellations (Lyra, Cygnus, and Aquila) and is a splendid sight during the summer months.

It’s an excellent example of how asterisms can guide your stargazing adventures, as they often point to other interesting celestial objects.

Binoculars and Star Charts

If you live in an area that is pretty dark and has minimal light pollution, you can just view the constellations through the naked eye.

But, for those who experience some light pollution, a pair of binoculars would help. To start stargazing, it is better to use a binocular than a telescope.

This is because binoculars provide a wider field of view than telescopes, making them perfect for sweeping observation of constellations and star clusters. They also make it easier to spot fainter stars within constellations.

In addition, star charts (either printed or digital) are invaluable tools for identifying constellations and asterisms. Many smartphone planetarium apps can overlay constellations and celestial objects on the night sky, making stargazing more accessible than ever.

!! Please make sure you avoid the screen light from your phone. If you use the app, turn on the night mode and use a red LED light to read your star chart.

Your eyes need around 30 minutes to fully adjust to darkness. If you accidentally expose them to light, you’ll need to wait again for them to adjust.

North-side constellations

Now, we’ll begin to group the constellations. The northern sky doesn’t have stars as much as the southern sky’s. FYI, all the stars we’ve seen belong to our galaxy.

When we look to the north side of the sky, we’re facing the intergalactic area (facing outward from the center of the Milky Way). So there’s a lot of empty space right there. Below are the images of easily spotted constellations and asterisms on the northern night sky

South-side constellations

Now, let’s explore the bright constellations and asterisms in the southern sky. When you face the southern sky, you are actually looking into the Milky Way’s galactic plane.

Maybe you have heard about Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center of our galaxy. Do you know why it’s called Sagittarius A*? It’s because astronomers detected the strongest region of radio emission located within the Sagittarius constellation.

It is crucial to learn the names of constellations and stars. Astronomers name celestial objects based on the constellations or stars they are related to. Another example is an exoplanet orbiting the nearest star to us, Proxima Centauri is named Proxima Centauri b.

Summary

Stargazing is a journey of discovery, and it’s all about exploration and connecting with the cosmos. By familiarizing yourself with constellations and asterisms, you’ll gain the confidence to navigate the night sky and embark on your celestial adventures.

So, head outdoors, and start stargazing!

Disclaimer:

While we strive to provide accurate and reliable information, please be aware that the content of this blog post is subject to a margin of error. The probability of absolute accuracy is not guaranteed.