Earth & Space
What is a constellation?
Puschel joins bright dots in the sky. Flauschi explores the idea of constellations with him.
The short answer
People imagine lines between stars to make named patterns. The stars appear close together in the sky, but can lie at very different distances. The connecting lines are imagined by us.
An imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
On his star chart, Puschel joins stars with lines. Flauschi turns a three-dimensional model sideways: the stars lie far behind one another. He looks from the front again. The pattern returns, although the stars are not a flat drawing.
Try explaining it
What follows from two stars being in the same constellation?
Choose a), b) or c), then explain your choice.
- a)They are close together in space because they look close together.
- b)They are the same size because we join them into one picture.
- c)From here they belong to the same sky pattern.
Show the explanation
Correct: c): From here they belong to the same sky pattern.
People imagine lines between stars to make named patterns. The stars appear close together in the sky, but can lie at very different distances. The connecting lines are imagined by us.
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
Understand step by step
How it works – simply explained
People recognise patterns
From Earth individual stars appear side by side. People mentally connect them into named figures.
Lines are imagined
Space has no painted connecting lines. Pattern stars can be at different distances, not necessarily close together.
Names help orientation
Astronomy also uses constellations as defined sky regions for describing positions. Different cultures have different patterns and stories.
References for this explanation: [1]
The key points again
Discovery 1
People imagine patterns between stars and give them names.
Source: [1]
Discovery 2
Stars in a pattern can be at very different distances. They do not necessarily form a group in space.
Source: [1]
Discovery 3
In astronomy constellations also name defined sky regions that help with orientation.
Source: [1]