description of the sky - a task that occupies the minds of many thinkers throughout history.Combining disparate stars in the figures, understanding the logic of motion of celestial bodies was necessary for orientation in the field, and for the construction of a philosophical system, which explains the laws and structure of the universe.
Association star
The human brain is designed so that any randomly distributed objects he tries to discern the logic behind scattered and unconnected dots and see a familiar silhouette.Map of the sky without this feature would have never came into being.People since the emergence of the first civilizations fascinated saw the night sky and saw in it the usual way: gods, heroes, objects.Thus appeared the first constellation.They were a union of neighboring stars in a certain pattern.Constellation facilitate memorizing the location of the stars and, as a result, the orientation of the terrain with them.
initial description of the sky was a set of constellations, often overlap.Part of the world could relate directly to the two heavenly figures, and separate areas were left out: because of the small number of stars in that territory they are not attached to any constellations.
Structuring
description of the sky in the form of maps showing the constellations first appeared in the II century BC.e.Hipparchus of Nicea made him one of the greatest of the Greek astronomers.His map of the sky contains 48 constellations and was supplemented by a catalog of 850 stars.Somewhat later, in the II century BC.e., the list was supplemented by Ptolemy.His famous work "Almagest" is already contained in 1022 lights, divided into the same 48 constellations.
quite a long time, until the beginning of the XVII century, the work of Ptolemy, at least for European astronomy remains the main, although throughout this period, the list was supplemented with new constellations.Celestial Pictures occurred mainly in those parts of the sky that were not available to monitor Ptolemy.In the XVII century Hevelius, Polish scientist, has expanded the list of stars until 1533 and created his famous star atlas "Uranographia" with beautiful pictures.He also added a few new constellations.
IAU General Assembly
However, the description of the sky made by Hevelius, was not like the modern.Familiar features it was purchased only in 1922, when I met the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).It was approved a list of 88 constellations, which is used today.And it changed the very meaning of the term "constellation".Today, it is not understood by a certain amount of light that make up a particular pattern, but the projection of the sky with all placed on it by Space Objects.The boundaries of these areas underwent some changes and was finally approved in 1935.
Names
description of the night sky can not be done without knowledge of the names assigned to the constellations and individual luminaries.In international practice, used the Latin names of celestial images.This allows scientists to understand each other in different countries.However, in textbooks and popular literature on astronomy in every nation there are transfers made notations in the native language.Often difficult to choose a definite equivalent.For example, in our literature in different years there Coma and Coma Berenice, Canes dogs and hounds, and so on.
Regarding the designation of stars, the brightest of them have their own names, mostly of Arab origin.Without exception, all light has and scientific notation.In addition, since the XVI century decided to mark the stars of heaven drawing particular letters of the Greek alphabet according to their brightness alpha - the leader in this parameter, beta is the second and so on.
two hemispheres
celestial sphere analogous to Earth has its own equator, which divides it into two parts.The sky of the Northern Hemisphere is different than the southern section of the sphere: it houses a different light.In the line of the equator placed constellation called equatorial.They are distinguished by the fact that they are available to monitor almost anywhere in the world.
the sky of the Northern Hemisphere from the special situation of the Little Dipper.It is a small constellation famous for its brightest point - Polar Star, which always takes the same place in contrast to the other bodies.It indicates the direction to the north.In the Southern Hemisphere so bright "frozen" no stars.The role played by the pointer on the pole constellation of the Southern Cross.
Zodiac
description of the sky would be incomplete without mention of the constellations through which passes the apparent path of the planets, and the moon and the sun.It is about the zodiac.Strictly speaking, it includes not adopted on 12 and 13 constellations."Extra" heavenly drawing - is Ophiuchus, which passes through the center of the sun from 30 November to 17 December.Interestingly, the zodiacal circle on the sky as a whole greatly not the same as adopted in astrology.The difference is not only the "extra" constellation, but also the time of Sun's entry into each of the celestial patterns and the duration of his stay in them.For example, in the constellation Scorpius our star is staying only a week from 23 to 29 November.
Invisible
However, bright stars, planets close, as well as the sun and moon are not all that can be seen in the sky.If you have a telescope greatly increased the possibility of an observer, and he has a chance to see clusters of stars and planetary nebulae.Of course, the picture is far not the same as in the pictures of the famous "Hubble", but still worth a look at this.
However, even without special equipment, you can try to see distant neighboring galaxy.Andromeda is available for observation in the northern hemisphere, and the Magellanic Clouds, Big and Small - in the South.
night sky beckons us shine stars, cosmic mysteries and secrets of universal scale.In an effort to solve them, people from ancient times tried to ease the storage location of the luminaries, which are united in heaven drawings and maps.With increasing knowledge and improving equipment last only refined, we acquired a somewhat different structure.The current description of the sky harder and more accurately what it was in the time of Ptolemy, but it's safe to say, a hundred years later, the children will start learning to relate the star map of the sky above his head to find the oldest celestial figures, described it still wise Greek.
