Modern Constellations
The Ptolemaic
constellations can be found in modern times although many boundary alterations have
occurred and some names have been revised. Since the days of the ancient Greeks
many new constellations have been proposed and rejected; this
list is fairly extensive. It was determined that some authority
was required to standardize this effort.
In 1919, the
International Astronomical Union (IAU) was formed to govern, promote &
safeguard the science of astronomy. By 1930 the IAU had divided the sky into
eighty-eight official constellations, each with specified boundaries. This
is the system in use today.
