Introduction

The group stars that appear in the form of closed groups and form recognizable shape and pattern are called constellations. There are 88 constellations. They are named after religious or mythological figures, animals or objects.

For example signs of zodiac (Aries, Libra, Sagittarius, Cancer, Aquarius etc), Ursa Major or great bear or Saptarishi, Ursa Minor or little bear, Draco or Oregon, Orion or Hunter, Cassiopeia, Perseus, Telescopian, Pegasus, etc.

Advantages of observing constellations or stars:

1. They help to find out the direction of place as they do not move.

2. They help to locate the position of hemisphere.

3. They help to locate the position of hemisphere.

Ursa Major: It has seven big stars appearing like as the shape of a question mark. This group of stars is called big dipper or Great Bear. It appears in the summer season in the northern sky.

Ursa Minor: It has seven stars that seem to form the shape of ladle. It is also known as Little Dipper. It is seen in the northern hemisphere.

Orion: It consists of 8 very bright stars along with other faint stars. It resembles a hunter. It appears in the winter season in the northern hemisphere.

Galaxy	Constellation
It is a collection of large numbers of stars.	It is collection of few stars.
There are 10	It forms a known pattern.

• The group stars that appear in the form of closed groups and form recognizable shape and pattern are called constellations.
• Ursa Major: It has seven big stars appearing like as the shape of a question mark. This group of stars is called big dipper or Great Bear
• Galaxy is a collection of large numbers of stars.
• Constellation is collection of few stars.