STARS:

Constellations

Planets

Galaxies and Nebulae

Space Phenomena

Space Fiction

A constellation is one of the 88 areas into which the sky is divided for the purposes of identifying and naming celestial objects. The first constellations were simple, arbitrary patterns of stars in which early civilizations visualized gods, sacred beasts, and mythical heroes.
The constellations in use today are derived from a list of 48 known to the ancient Greeks, who inherited some from the Babylonians. The current list of 88 constellations was adopted by the International Astronomical Union, astronomy's governing body, in 1930.

The oldest known drawing of constellations are motifs on seals, vases, and gaming boards of the Sumerians, indicating that constellations may have been established as early as 4000 BC.