How are constellations formed?

Constellation is actually to identify the starry sky and divide the starry sky area according to the arrangement image of stars on the celestial sphere.

West: The constellation originated in Babylon, one of the four ancient civilizations. About 5000 years ago, a group of Babylonian shepherds lived a nomadic life in Mesopotamia. In their wandering life as shepherds, they still don't forget to observe the twinkling stars in the night sky every day. Over time, they can see the regular changes of time and season from the dynamics of the stars. Every night, they look at the sheep, observe all kinds of stars, connect the brighter stars with each other, associate all kinds of animals, utensils and even gods they believe in from the connected shapes, and name them, creating the so-called constellation.

Orient: China divided the sky into three walls and twenty-eight nights a long time ago. Historical records and official records are quite detailed. Sanyuan is the three areas around the north celestial pole, namely Ziweiyuan, Taiweiyuan and Tianshiyuan. 28 boarding houses are located in 28 areas near the ecliptic and the white road, namely, 7 boarding houses in the east, 7 boarding houses in the south, 7 boarding houses in the west and 7 boarding houses in the north.

The seven accommodations of East Palace Qinglong are: horn, health, edge, room, heart, tail and basket;

The seven nights that Nangong Suzaku belongs to are: well, ghost, willow, star, Zhang, wing and bird;

The seven nights that Xigong White Tiger belongs to are: Kui, Lou, Wei, Chang, Bi, Gou and Shen;

Gong Bei Xuanwu (tortoise and snake) belongs to seven nights: fighting, ox, female, emptiness, danger, house and wall.

China's astrology, now collectively referred to as the purple constellation, is different from the twelve constellations in the west. China constellation * * * has 14 main stars, namely, China, Cat, Sun, Tiantong, Tianfu, Taiyin, Wolf-greedy, Giant Gate, Astronomy, and Seven Shames. According to the Book of Changes, it can be divided into Yin and Yang.

Modern: In 928, the International Astronomical Union officially announced the International 88 Constellation Plan. At the same time, it is based on the vernal equinox and equator of 1875. According to the different positions of the 88 constellations on the celestial sphere and the appearance of the stars, they are divided into five regions, namely, the Northern Celestial Constellation (5), the Polaris Constellation (40 ~ 90, 19), the Twelve Constellations (12 constellation near the ecliptic on the celestial sphere) and the Zodiac Constellation (19). The 88 constellations of the whole day are:

Northern Sky Constellation (5): Ursa minor (closest to the north celestial pole), Ursa major, Cassiopeia, Draco and Cepheus.

Polaris constellation (19): Scorpio, Andromeda, Lupo, Auriga, Canis major, Foxes, Cygnus minor, Perseus, Shepherd, Pentecost, Backrow, Corona Nordica, Tmall, Lyra, Dolphin, Pegasus, Triangle.

Zodiac (12): Cancer, Aries, Gemini, Aquarius, Virgo, Leo, Taurus, Pisces, Capricorn, Scorpio, Libra and Sagittarius.

constellation

Twelve constellations (10): Sagittarius, Canine, Eagle, Ophiuchus, Ophiuchus, Sextant, Ophiuchus, Unicorn, Orion and Whale.

Southern Constellation (***42): Temple of Heaven, Picture Frame, Fly, Mountain Case, India, Tian Yan, Flying Fish, Long Ruler, Swordfish, Clock, Rhododendron, Southern Triangle, Compass, Dragonfly, Telescope, Hydra and Southern Cross (1999).