The Importance Of Constellations

A. To Show Direction


In ancient times, sailors and explorers used constellations for navigation. For example, the Big Dipper can be seen only at the northern hemisphere and it always points to the direction of the North Pole. Similarly, the Southern Cross can be seen only at the southern hemisphere and it points to the direction of the South Pole. Astronomers also used the constellations to study the other stars in the Universe.


B. To Indicate time ( or season )


Farmers know that most crops should be planted in the spring and harvested in the autumn. But in some regions, there is not much difference between the seasons. Different constellations to tell what month ( or season ) it is. For example, Scorpio is only visible in the northern hemisphere's evening sky in summer. Some historians believe that many of the myths related to the constellations help the farmers remember them. When they see certain constellations in the night sky, the farmers know that it is the time to begin planting or harvesting.