Constellation

Constellation, group of stars that appear to lie in the same area of the sky. Constellations figure prominently in the mythology and folklore of ancient civilizations. The Greeks, for instance, saw the shape of Orion the hunter, who, with a shield and club, is facing Taurus the bull. Many of the characters in adjoining constellations are related. Cepheus was the husband of Cassiopeia, whose daughter Andromeda was rescued from the sea monster Cetus by Perseus. Many of the star divisions and names were originated by the Greeks.