Constellation Andromeda

Andromeda is a large and prominent constellation in the northern sky. It is named after the mythological princess Andromeda and is best known for containing the Andromeda Galaxy, the nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way and one of the few galaxies visible to the naked eye. The constellation is located next to Pegasus and is easily recognizable due to its distinctive "V" shape.

 

Constellation Pegasus

Kivaan, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pegasus is a prominent constellation in the northern sky, named after the winged horse from Greek mythology. This constellation is most recognizable by the asterism known as the "Great Square of Pegasus," which forms the body of the mythical horse. Pegasus is the seventh-largest constellation in the night sky and is home to several notable stars and deep-sky objects.

Constellation Camelopardalis

Camelopardalis is a faint and large constellation located in the northern sky. Its name is derived from the Latin word for "giraffe," which itself comes from the Greek words "kamēlos" (camel) and "pardalis" (leopard), due to the giraffe's long neck and spotted coat. The constellation is relatively obscure and consists of faint stars, making it a challenge to spot without clear, dark skies.

 

Constellation Cepheus

Cepheus is a northern constellation named after the mythological King Cepheus of Aethiopia. It is one of the 48 constellations listed by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century and remains one of the 88 modern constellations recognized today. Though not as prominent as nearby constellations like Cassiopeia, Cepheus is still an important part of the night sky, especially for those interested in ancient mythology and celestial navigation.

 

Constellation Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia is a prominent constellation in the northern sky, easily recognizable by its distinctive "W" or "M" shape, depending on its orientation. This constellation is one of the 88 modern constellations and has been known since antiquity. It is named after the vain queen Cassiopeia in Greek mythology. The constellation is bordered by Cepheus, Andromeda, Perseus, and Lacerta.

 

Constellation Draco

Draco is a large and winding constellation located in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is one of the 88 modern constellations and has been recognized since ancient times. Draco, meaning "Dragon" in Latin, is a circumpolar constellation for many northern observers, which means it never fully sets and can be seen throughout the year. The constellation stretches over a considerable area of the sky, forming a long, winding shape that resembles a serpent or dragon.

 

Constellation Ursa Minor

Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Bear, is a prominent constellation in the northern sky. It is perhaps most famous for containing Polaris, the current North Star. The constellation is often visualized as a smaller version of Ursa Major, the Big Bear, with its tail extending into a group of stars that form a small dipper-like shape. This smaller dipper is often called the Little Dipper, which is entirely contained within Ursa Minor.

 

Constellation Ursa Major

Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky. It is primarily known for containing the Big Dipper, an asterism made up of seven bright stars that form the shape of a ladle or dipper. Ursa Major is the third-largest constellation in the sky and has been significant in various cultures throughout history.

 

Constellation Perseus

Perseus is a prominent constellation in the northern sky, named after the Greek hero Perseus. It is located near other notable constellations, such as Andromeda, Cassiopeia, and Taurus. Perseus is best known for its rich mythology and as the home of the famous variable star Algol.

Constellation Pleiades

The Pleiades, also known as the "Seven Sisters," is one of the most famous and easily recognizable open star clusters in the night sky. Located in the constellation Taurus, the Pleiades is a cluster of bright, young stars that are relatively close to Earth, making them easily visible to the naked eye. The cluster is approximately 440 light-years away and contains hundreds of stars, though only a handful are bright enough to be seen without the aid of a telescope.