Our constellations

The cosmos at our fingertips.
Post Reply
JonStar
Asternaut
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2013 7:21 pm

Our constellations

Post by JonStar » Mon Jan 27, 2014 3:24 pm

Our constellations (Orion, Cancer, etc) -- how many are they all located in our Milky Way Galaxy?

User avatar
geckzilla
Ocular Digitator
Posts: 9180
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:42 pm
Location: Modesto, CA
Contact:

Re: Our constellations

Post by geckzilla » Mon Jan 27, 2014 3:32 pm

They're imaginary boundaries in the celestial sphere. It makes no sense to say that they are in the Milky Way. The stars which comprise the asterisms are all in the Milky Way, though.
Just call me "geck" because "zilla" is like a last name.

JonStar
Asternaut
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2013 7:21 pm

Re: Our constellations

Post by JonStar » Mon Jan 27, 2014 3:47 pm

Understood they are imaginary. My question could have been phrased better. Just wondered if all the stars that comprise them are located in our galaxy. Thanks for the quick reply and I learned a new word 'asterisms'

User avatar
Chris Peterson
Abominable Snowman
Posts: 18601
Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:13 pm
Location: Guffey, Colorado, USA
Contact:

Re: Our constellations

Post by Chris Peterson » Mon Jan 27, 2014 4:18 pm

JonStar wrote:Understood they are imaginary. My question could have been phrased better. Just wondered if all the stars that comprise them are located in our galaxy. Thanks for the quick reply and I learned a new word 'asterisms'
Every star we see in the sky without using large telescopes is located in our galaxy. Occasionally there is a supernova in another galaxy bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, however.
Chris

*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
https://www.cloudbait.com

Post Reply