Glossary of Astronomical Terms/constellation

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Traditionally, a constellation is a pattern of stars in the night sky that is identified by name, usually of mythological entities, people, animals, or objects. Now refers to the area of the sky in which the traditional constellation appears since the sky has been sub-divided into regions each belonging to a particular constellation. The IAU established the 88 official constellations and their regional borders in 1928. Compare with asterism.