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The stars that can be observed in the skies form groups called constellations. A large number of these constellations have geometric shapes that look like figures humans or some animal. This phenomenon is known by the name of asterism.

Asterisms have been very useful for thousands of years to facilitate navigation in the dark

At present, most boats have the appropriate technology so that the boats do not lose their way on the high seas. On the other hand, navigation charts are a tool very useful in this regard. In ancient times these two tools did not exist, so the constellations became the only valid reference. For centuries the asterisms of Ursa Major, Cassiopeia, the Great Pegasus Chariot and many others have been first-rate sources of information for navigation in both hemispheres of the planet.

The asterism of the constellation Orion

According to the accounts of Greek mythology, Orion was one of the sons of the god Poseidon. He was dedicated to hunting and was characterized by his bad character. The god Zeus decided to punish him for his bad

conduct and I send him to the skies, where it is possible to observe the Orion Nebula in its hunter form, as well as three aligned stars known as the Orion Belt.

In ancient times this story of mythology was intended to be a true explanation of the positions of the stars. Astronomers today do not study constellations from a perspective mythology and asterisms are simple references to the universe with an interest cultural.

It should be noted that the image of a hunter is not the only one of the Constellation of Orion, since other observers perceive different asterisms, such as the shape of a butterfly or a coffee maker.

Asterisms that can be observed in summer

Due to the rotation of the Earth, asterisms are not always observable. During the summer months you can distinguish some of them.

- The Summer Triangle is an asterism that presents three stars as vertices.

- In the constellation of the Swan the provision of its main stars is known as the Northern Cross.

- The Pegasus Square is an asterism of the northern hemisphere and is part of the so-called seasonal asterisms.

- The Circle Pisces is an asterism located south of the Pegasus Square.

- In the constellation of Aquarius we can observe another well-known asterism, the Water Jug and it is formed by four stars with little brightness.

Photos: Fotolia - vchalup / yganko

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