Constellations are memorable maps to the stars, dating back many thousands of years.

Many of the constellations are associated with the Gods and Godesses of ancient Greek mythology.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has divided the sky into 88 official constellations with exact boundaries, so that every direction or location in the sky belongs to one constellation. Astronomers use this as a rough guideline for location objects, e.g. when they say that Mars is in the constellation of Gemini, it can be found within the borders of the constellation. The constellations that the Sun pass through each year are known as the Zodiac.

Monoceros

The Unicorn

Monoceros is a faint constellation on the winter night sky.

Monoceros Mythology

Monoceros is a modern constellation, generally supposed to be named by the Dutch astronomer and theologian Petrus Plancius in 1613.

Further Information

Monoceros is an almost invisible constellation, with only a few fourth magnitude stars. Monoceros does have something interesting to see with the aid of a small telescope. β Monocerotis is an impressive triple star system, the three stars form a triangle which seems to be fixed.

Monoceros Photographs

 

Taken on 2006-01-21, 1 views