New Species Living in Fukushima, Japan’s Nuclear Accident Zone

Home Biology New Species Living in Fukushima, Japan’s Nuclear Accident Zone

Biology

By Trista - February 23, 2020

A startling discovery has been made almost ten years after a nuclear accident wiped out all signs of life near the Fukushima Daiichi. What had been considered by scientists to be a disaster is now starting to bud new plant life and breed more creatures, something experts thought was not possible.

A camera study that has been published in the Journal of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment recorded the existence of more than 20 species that can be found in the vast amount of landscape. The discovery presents many answers to scientific questions about the resurgence of new life after an epic disaster. It is quite a remarkable turnaround from the devastation that was just a decade before. The Fukushima disaster is still affecting Japan to this day.

The Fukushima Disaster

New Species Living in Fukushima, Japan’s Nuclear Accident Zone — *It’s only been nine years since it happened, but there are still casualties. Photo Credit: Eight Photo/Shutterstock*

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster occurred on March 11, 2011, and it has been considered one of the most severe nuclear disasters since the 1980s. It is one of only two disasters that have been given the Level 7 distinction on the International Nuclear Event Scale, which is the maximum severity a disaster could get. Approximately 15,000 people died during the natural disaster, with some reporting the death toll with as many as 19,000.

The accident was believed to have been started by a massive earthquake and tsunami. The 9.0 earthquake was undersea, and it has been known as the Great Sendai Earthquake. It was the most powerful quake ever to have been recorded in Japan and the fourth most powerful since modern records began in 1900.

NEXT >>

Earthquake Aftermath

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Once the earthquake was detected, the active reactors in Fukushima automatically began shutting down their fission reactors. This action caused a domino effect where the electricity failed and prompted the generators to begin working.

The earthquake also caused a massive tsunami that was reportedly 15 meters high. The waters swept over the plant’s seawall and completely flooded the lower grounds. It also caused the plant to flood and knock out the emergency generators. The amount of damage done to the reactors at the time of the disaster is not precisely known.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Complete Meltdown

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

With the generators ceasing to function, the Fukushima plant was beginning to experience a loss-of-coolant incident. It led to three nuclear meltdowns, three hydrogen explosions, and a release of various radioactive contaminants throughout the plant, all within three days.

The Japanese government declared a national emergency following the nuclear disaster. More than 1,800 people within 20 kilometers from the plant were evacuated at first, but it was then increased to 5,800 within 30 kilometers once the gravity of the situation was reassessed. Ultimately more than 160,000 people were displaced as a result of the disaster.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Lax Standards

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The Japanese government would later admit that lax standards and poor oversight had contributed to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Officials came under fire for their handling in the aftermath of the emergency and for not keeping proper records of key meetings during the crisis.

One of the criticisms was the slow release of the data on areas that were most likely to be exposed to the radioactive plume from the damaged reactors. Officials were also criticized for their mishandling of the severity of the disaster. One research noted that the public confidence in the safety of nuclear power was “greatly damaged” by the Fukushima disaster and that they were not ready for a “cascading nuclear disaster.”

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Worst Since Chernobyl

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster is considered the second biggest nuclear accident since the Chernobyl disaster. Chernobyl occurred on April 26, 1986, near the city of Pripyat in the northern part of the Ukranian SSR.

The nuclear accident was the result of a flawed reactor design. It was also operated with personnel who were not adequately trained. Once the steam explosion and fire happened, there was at least five percent of the radioactive reactor core released into the atmosphere and then carried downwind.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Resulting Health Risks

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The environmental aftermath following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster appeared to be grim. The World Health Organization had released a report in 2013 that specific subsets of the population inside the Fukushima Prefecture predicted that some populations might be at a higher risk of developing certain kinds of cancer, including thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is considered one of the most survivable forms of cancer, especially if it is detected early. There was also an excess number of 4,000 children and adolescents who lived around Chernobyl and had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Releases Of Radioactive Contamination

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

How the disaster would affect the local and global environments was debated for several years. Scientists say that when radioactive material is released from into the air was a massive concern for much of the area surrounding Fukushima Daiichi. Many international dignitaries were encouraged to leave Tokyo during that time for fear of contamination.

Another primary concern was that the Fukushima coast has some of the world’s strongest currents, and experts were initially concerned that the contaminated water would travel far out into the Pacific Ocean and disperse the harmful materials to other wildlife.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Long-Lasting Effects of the Nuclear Disaster

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Several environmental experts have debated how long it would take for the area impacted by the Fukushima plant disaster to recover. It can be hard to say when the area would be back to its normalcy.

One study found that radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi plant was still flowing into the water seven years after the disaster. Some researchers also stated that the harmful effects continued to flow into the Pacific Ocean at a rate of 2 billion becquerels a day.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Staying Away

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

In the near-decade since the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, the area is close to being deserted. According to studies, only five percent of the original population elected to return to the area and resume their lives.

In 2019, authorities determined that the radiation levels in Okuma town near the Fukushima disaster were low enough for people to return. Before the disaster, the town had 10,000 residents, but only 1,000 have decided to move back, according to a Business Insider article.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

A New Kind Of Study

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Researchers from the University of Georgia embarked on an extensive study to find out what type of life existed after nuclear disasters. The case study examined areas impacted by both the Fukushima Daiichi and Chernobyl disasters.

The study sought to answer the speculation and questions that exist throughout the scientific community and general public about the quality of existing wildlife that is present after massive nuclear accidents. The evidence would be able to pinpoint what kinds of life are growing or not growing in those environments.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Photographic Evidence

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Researchers used an exorbitant amount of images to conduct this study. Photographic data was gathered from 106 cameras. These cameras were placed in three types of zones based on whether humans were able to be in or near the area due to contamination levels.

The zones included places where humans were excluded due to the highest level of contamination; humans were restricted due to intermediate levels; and places where humans inhabited, or areas where people were allowed to remain because there were low levels of radiation found.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Designated Zones

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The researchers said that the designated zones were based on the ones previously established by the Japanese government during the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. By keeping with those zones, the study was able to compare and contrast the existence of life-based on human involvement.

The study could then examine the results and determine how the expansion of the human population and lack thereof had forced wildlife to coexist with people. It can also determine if the contaminations from nuclear disasters had deeply impacted the wildlife.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Scope Of The Study

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The research was collected for the study for more than four months. For 120 days, cameras captured more than 267,000 images of wildlife throughout the various landscapes and areas that were either impacted or unbothered by nuclear disasters. The uninhabited zone could act as a control for the study.

The data included more than 46,000 images of wild boar, over 26,000 images with no inhabitants, about 13,000 in a restricted area, and about 7,000 in the inhabited zones. Experts then analyzed the data.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Animals In Uninhabited Areas

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

One of the most unusual things found in the study was the presence of a variety of species that were in images from the uninhabited or restricted zones. The different kinds of species included Japanese marten, monkeys, and raccoons, among other critters.

The research team said there is no previous data on wildlife populations that were found in evacuated areas or even nearby and similar landscapes to a human-inhabited zone. Other evaluated areas included distance to a road, time of activity captured, date-time stamps, vegetation, and elevation.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Free-Roaming Animals in Fukushima

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Many of the animals that were in the menagerie at Fukushima included a wide variety of wildlife. Some of those captured on camera included a red fox, masked palm civet, sika deer, and black bear.

Perhaps the most compelling thing found in this study is not the kinds of animals that were found to live within the evacuation zone. It is something much more exciting, especially considering what had happened just a short time after the disaster.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Startling Discovery

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The study found that there were more than 20 species of animal life that were thriving in the areas surrounding the Fukushima exclusion zone. This discovery is even despite the lingering amount of radiation that exists in the area, according to other environmental studies.

“Our results represent the first evidence that numerous species of wildlife are now abundant throughout the Fukushima Evacuation Zone, despite the presence of radiological contamination,” James Beasley, a wildlife biologist who co-authored the study, said in a press release about the study.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

More About The Study

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The zones had different features and areas. Because Fukushima is a place with vast amounts of mountains and other kinds of terrains, the scientists wanted to determine how the wildlife interacted with the various environments within the natural habitat.

“The terrain varies from mountainous to coastal habitats, and we know these habitats support different types of species. To account for these factors, we incorporated habitat and landscape attributes such as elevation into our analysis,” Beasley said.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

A Unique Pattern

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Researchers from the University of Georgia stated that the photographic evidence in the study revealed that the animals observed returned to behaviors that were known based on their history and behavioral pattern.

The animals acted like they typically did before the disaster struck. Raccoons are nocturnal by nature, and they were shown to be active during the night while pheasants performed their usual daily routines.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

The Results

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The researchers dissected the behaviors of all of the creatures that were captured in the images and determined that much of the wildlife carried on similarly to what they did before the natural disaster. The results showed that very few deviated from what was typically expected from them.

What makes these results exciting is the relatively short amount of time that the area seems to be bouncing back from the contamination of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster. Even those that may have adapted differently also had exciting results to reveal.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Wild Boars

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Another compelling aspect found in the study is the behavior of the wild boar that lived inside the uninhabited area. The boar was just one of the animals that presented an even more interesting aspect to the disaster aftermath environmental study, especially considering that they are often in conflict with human involvement.

In the study, wild boars that were in the uninhabited area were more active during the day while those that resided in the human-inhabited areas. It suggests that the boars were modifying their behavior when there were no humans around. Their absences made the diurnal creatures more active during daylight hours.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Serows

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

There was another example found in the study that differentiated between its typical patterns following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster. Researchers noted that the Japanese serow was one of the few exceptions to that rule.

The Japanese serow is like a goat. It is medium-sized and can be found grazing on rocky hills. Based on this new research, these animals were more frequently seen in the camera footage in rural human-inhabited upland areas. The experts believe that the serows made a behavioral adjustment because of the boar population that had grown in the evacuated zone.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Study Of Animal Behavior

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The research conducted by the University of Georgia is an example of animal behavior, which is known as a cornerstone of experimental psychology. It hopes to shed light on how animals interact with each other and their environments and help humans understand why they behave in the ways that they do.

“This research makes an important contribution because it examines radiological impacts on populations of wildlife, whereas most previous studies have looked for effects to individual animals,” said Professor Thomas Hinton.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Further Research Is Needed

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The photographs used in the study were not able to indicate whether any of the animals had been physically affected as a result of the nuclear plant disaster radiation. Other studies had shown that there were several deformed butterflies identified. The insects had more massive legs and smaller wings than those that were found outside in the no-gone zone.

Those studies revealed that the animals that lived in Fukushima are having to adapt and change as a result of their surroundings. It is up to other scientists to determine what other ways the animals had to change because of the disaster.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

More Research

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Scientists said there is no previous data on wildlife populations in the evacuated areas as well as proximity and similar landscapes. The level of human activity, elevation, and type of habitat were some of the primary factors in influencing how the animals would react.

The knowledge learned from this research could also be adapted to other studies from similar disasters, including the other significant nuclear disaster, to receive the highest rating. The promise of new life was also revealed in studies from there.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Just Like Chernobyl

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi has seen a similar resurgence to the one that occurred in Chernobyl. The area impacted by its own disaster is currently inhabited with brown bears, bison, wolves, and lynxes.

One fascinating case there is the Przewalski horse, which was thought to have been extinct before it was seen around Chernobyl around 1998. There have also been more than 200 bird species returning to the area.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

More Life Promises In Chernobyl

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The promise of new life after a catastrophic event like the ones in Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi provides new hope that life does go on even after the direst of circumstances occur. Several other studies have noted how different kinds of animals have returned to their once-natural habitat.

“Relative abundances of elk, roe deer, red deer and wild boar within the Chernobyl exclusion zone are similar to those in four (uncontaminated) nature reserves in the region and wolf abundance is more than seven times higher. Additionally, our earlier helicopter survey data show rising trends in elk, roe deer, and wild boar abundances from one to ten years post-accident,” according to a 2015 study.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Impact On The Absence Of Humans

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The amounts of radiation had little influence on how the wildlife was distributed. While the contaminated areas had some dangerous amounts of radiation, they were also void of any human interaction. The researchers surmise that because humans were not present for large amounts of time, the animals were able to adapt to the changes in the habitat.

“Over time, some wildlife species have responded favorably to the absence of humans, even in the presence of high radiation levels, resulting in a rewilding of the evacuation zones,” Dr. Thomas Hinton told Earther.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Examples Of Radiation Changes

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Radiation is not without its damage. There were several birds and mammals found in areas contaminated by a nuclear disaster to have been born or developed with significant health conditions. Some have cataracts in their eyes, smaller brains, deformed sperm, tumors, or other abnormalities.

These conditions are a direct result of ionizing radiation and how it can scramble a creature’s DNA. The further away from the contamination, the more likely that these defects would be less pronounced. The full effects of radiation on animal reproductivity remain unknown at this time.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Living Life

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Despite the handicaps that were caused by a human-made disaster, several animals of all shapes and sizes continue to maintain viable and growing populations. For example, several birds have also set up their nests near the decrepit nuclear plant at Fukushima.

“Although it may seem counter-intuitive, research from our group and others suggests numerous species of large mammals actually increased in the landscape surrounding Chernobyl in the first several years after the accident, and that populations of many species are now abundant and widespread throughout the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone,” Beasley told Newsweek.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

The Radiation

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Because the amount of released from the Fukushima Daiichi power plant was lower than those emitted at Chernobyl, the scientists are not surprised that there is a vibrant resurgence in life now in the environment.

“Given that the amount of radiation released from the Fukushima Daiichi power plant was substantially lower than releases at Chernobyl, it is not surprising that we are now seeing evidence of these same types of population-level responses in mammals at Fukushima,” the study said.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

The Return Of Human Life

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

While wildlife has returned to both Chernobyl and Fukushima, humans who once lived in the area have been more resistant. The Japanese government has allowed people to return to the evacuation zones since as soon as 2016, but only a small percentage have come back.

Experts have indicated that less than three percent of the area impacted by the nuclear disaster continues to be off-limits. Much of the public trust remains tentative, and the first residents to come back did not return until 2019.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Fukushima’s Comeback

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The good news for the area is that the Fukushima area can be posed for a comeback. The place used to be a tourist attraction for many visitors, known for its beautiful autumn colors, historic sites, and mountainous backdrops. However, the concern about radiation has caused the tourism industry to dwindle.

The change in perception is something that will come with time, and experts state the upcoming Olympic games in Tokyo could be a step in the right direction in convincing humans that they could be inhabited again, just like the wildlife and other animals have already discovered.

<< Previous

Home Space Learn How to Spot the Stars of Different Zodiac Signs in the Night Sky

Space

Learn How to Spot the Stars of Different Zodiac Signs in the Night Sky

By Trista - February 21, 2020

Stars are one of the numerous mysterious objects in the universe that have attracted man since the evolution of humankind. The bright, sparkling bodies in the sky have stirred man’s interest even before they were named. A mesmerizing view to witness and experience, constellations have always been an enthralling phenomenon for any avid stargazer. Considered to be holy to some and mythologically crucial to others, stars have always been a part of our life’s journey.

With the connection of stars to ancient Greek mythology and the works of renowned poets Aratus and Ptolemy, the history of stars dates back to medieval times. Stars have been found in numerous cave paintings created by our ancestors. These twinkling heavenly bodies have been linked with the birth of Christ and have been a part of our zodiac system for centuries, even though their origin remains unknown.

History of Constellations

Learn How to Spot the Stars of Different Zodiac Signs in the Night Sky — *People have been looking up at the stars for centuries and found patterns in them. Photo Credit: Baldas1950/Shutterstock*

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Deriving their name from the Latin word cōnstellātiō, which translates to “set of stars”, constellations were first used during prehistoric times. Constellations are nothing but a group of stars that are arranged together to create an imaginary outline that may resemble animals, mythological characters, or any object.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Initially, the constellations served as the backdrop of many stories and beliefs. They were thought to have mythological connections. Later on, they were widely used for navigation. Be it for sailing or exploring, travelers from all over the world and from all cultures adapted to the constellations and mapped them. This widely helped them to track the exact locations and navigate.

Constellations in the Sky

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Today, there are about 88 constellations in the sky that are recognized officially by the International Astronomical Union. With these constellations spanning the entire sky, the stars appear near to one another but originally are located millions of light-years away from each other. Some stars are a part of a single constellation, while some are shared between two constellations.

Here is a list of 18 Constellations that everyone must know! You may know some of them, as some are common as Zodiac signs. Others you may have heard of, such as Pegasus or Orion, while others may be completely new.

Aquarius

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Known as one of the ancient constellations, Aquarius is one of the most famous constellations and is considered the 11th Zodiac sign. Derived from Latin, the word Aquarius roughly translates to “water carrier” or “cupbearer.” It is located in the portion of the sky known as “The Sea,” as it contains numerous constellations with aquatic associations. Though Aquarius is a vital constellation and is famous for its clarity, it does not have very bright stars. The two brightest stars of Aquarius are the Alpha and Beta Aquarii that has an approximate magnitude of 2.95mag. Spanning an area of about 980 square degrees, Aquarius is the 10th largest constellation. The Aquarius constellation is actually depicted as an image of a man carrying a vessel from which water is overflowing. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere, and it can be observed between the latitudes of +65 degrees and -90 degrees. Aquarius is best viewed in October. Several of the stars in this constellation have names that pertain to good fortune. Alpha Aquarii means ‘Luck of the Kings’ in Arabic, Beta Aquarii means “The Luck of lucks,” and Gamma Aquarii means “The Lucky Star of hidden things.”

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

According to Greek mythological beliefs, Aquarius is linked to Ganymede, who was a very handsome lad in Greece. Legends say, once the King of the Greek Gods, Zeus, came across Ganymede and was impressed with his looks. He invited Ganymede to Mount Olympus and made him the cupbearer for Gods and Goddesses. From then on, he served water and wine to the Greek Gods and soon impressed them. As a reward, he was a gifted youth for eternity, and a constellation was named after him.

Aries

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

One of the significant zodiac constellations, Aries, means “the ram” in Latin and represents the horns of a ram in the northern sky. Though an integral part of the Zodiac constellations, Aries contains only four to five visible stars. The brightest star among them is Hamal and is often referred to as the “orange giant.” Best observed during December, Aries is located between the latitude of +90 degrees and -60 degrees.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Aries has its roots in Greek mythology since the time of Phirxus, and the ram is referred to as the golden fleece. According to the legend, Phrixus and Helle were the twin children of a Boeotian King, and their mother was a cloud nymph called Nephele. The children had a stepmother who was wicked and could not stand them. One day her evil intentions led to famine in the country, and she bribed the ministers into giving a false prophecy, which made the king believe that only sacrificing his children could save his country from the famine. Just when the king was about to sacrifice his children, a flying ram came from the heavens, sent by their mother to save the children. The children mounted the ram and flew over land and sea. However, on the way to the edge of the Black Sea, Helle fell off near the strait that connects Asia to Europe and drowned at sea. In honor of the ram that saved the children, Zeus placed a constellation in the sky and named it Aries.

Aquila

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Spanning an area of about 652 square degrees of the northern hemisphere, Aquila belongs to the Hercules family of constellations. Its brightest star is Altair, which is also the 12th brightest star in the sky. The term Aquila is derived from Latin and translates to “eagle.” The Aquila constellation has the imaginary figure of an eagle, whose head and wings are appropriately represented by an inverted yet broad “V.” Some of the most notable stars in this constellation are Altair, Alschain, Tarazed, Zeta Aquilae, and Eta Aquilae. Although Aquila radiates two showers, they cannot be observed from our vantage point.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Aquila is deeply connected to Greek mythology and has many stories attached to it. One of the most popular stories says Aquila was the eagle of the Greek Gods. One day, Aquila was sent by the Gods to carry Ganymede from Earth to Heaven, to make him the cupbearer for the gods. Aquila also carried the thunderbolts of Zeus. In another folklore story, Aphrodite takes the form of an eagle so that she can pursue Zeus. As an eagle, she takes shelter under Nemesis, who was the love interest of Zeus. Another famous story believes that Aquila was the eagle who guarded the arrows of Eros when the arrows missed and hit Zeus, making him love-struck.

Cassiopeia

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Named after the famous and extremely vain Greek queen Cassiopeia, the constellation is located between the latitudes of +90 degrees and -20 degrees. Belonging to the Perseus family of stars, Cassiopeia is one of the most visible and easily recognizable constellations in the sky. The constellation has a definite “W” shape and is formed by five bright stars. Cassiopeia is one of the constellations that was listed by the renowned Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. It is the 25th largest constellation in the sky and spreads over a 598 square degrees area.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

According to Greek mythology, Cassiopeia was the queen of Ethiopia and married King Cepheus. She was proud of her beauty and was boastful. Cassiopeia always boasted that she was more beautiful than the sea nymphs, who were considered to be the epitome of beauty then. The 50 sea nymphs later became enraged and asked the Sea King Poseidon to help them. Poseidon then sent Cetus, one of his sea monsters, to destroy the country of Cassiopeia. Frightened with this, the king and the queen sought help from a saint, who advised them to sacrifice their daughter Andromeda to the monster. Obliged to this, they tied Andromeda to a sea rock, but Perseus saved her. Perseus wanted to marry Andromeda, and during the wedding, he brought out the head of Medusa. When Cassiopeia and King Cepheus looked at her eyes, it turned them to stone. Cassiopeia was vanished by Poseidon and placed in heaven as a punishment for her pride.

Canis Major

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Derived from Latin, Canis Major means “the greater dog.” Spanning an area of more than 380 square degrees, the constellation is one of the brightest in the sky. The most shining star in the night sky, Sirius, is a part of this constellation, and thus it is clearly visible from the sky. Part of the Orion family, Canis Major, is one of the most prominent constellations. It is the 43rd largest constellation, and it has several notable sky objects such as the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy and the colliding spiral galaxies.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

According to Greek mythology, Canis Major is referred to as the dog Laelaps, who was considered the fastest dog who could catch anything it wanted to. It is said that Zeus gifted Laelaps along with a javelin that could not miss its aim to Europa. Cephalus, the husband of Europa, took the dog and the javelin for hunting. He started chasing a fox, who was blessed that he would never be caught. As a result, the chase became never-ending. Zeus had to interfere, and in a rage, he turned both of them into stones and placed Laelaps as a constellation in the sky.

Cygnus or the Northern Cross

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Cygnus is a constellation that can be seen in the northern sky. It is found on the plane of the Milky Way and located along the latitudes of +90 degrees and -40 degrees. The Northern Cross or Cygnus is one of the significant and visible constellations in the night sky. Loosely translated to “swan” in Latin, Cygnus is one of the famous constellations that attract stargazers. The constellation is clearly visible as a swan who is looking at the Earth, with its wings spread out.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

According to mythology, Zeus took the form of a swan and seduced the Spartan queen Leda. Leda then gave birth to four children, Pollux, Helen, Castor, and Clytemnestra. Another story leads the swan to Orpheus, who was killed by the Maenads for not honoring Dionysus. After his tragic death, it is said that the Greek Gods honored him by placing him in the sky as the Cygnus constellation.

Gemini

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

One of the most popular constellations, another from the Zodiac family, Gemini, is translated from Latin and means “twins”. It is one of the brightest constellations and easy to locate in the sky. With two stars forming the head of the twins, Alpha and Beta Geminorium are the brightest stars of the constellation and are joined and create a “U” like image, which makes it easy to find. It is the 30th largest constellation and is located between +90 degrees and -60 degrees latitude.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

According to Greek mythology, when Zeus seduced Queen Leda of Sparta, she gave birth to two children, one from him and another from the king of Sparta, who was mortal. As a result, one of the children was mortal and the other immortal. The two brothers, Pollux and Castor, were inseparable and loved each other dearly. One day, while fighting in a contest, the mortal brother Castor was killed. Pollux then prayed to his father, Zeus, to help him save his brother. Zeus then intervened and saved Pollux’s life and placed the twin brothers in the night sky so that they could be together for eternity.

Leo

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Translating to “lion,” Leo is the most distinctive yet popular constellation of the Zodiac family. It is located at a latitude between +90 and -65 degrees and is one of the most astronomical constellations. With the brightest star being Regulus, which forms the front leg of the lion, the constellation somewhat represents a lion. An inverted question mark-like line forms the head.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

According to Greek mythology, a lion who was blessed with an impregnable coat of fur was creating a rampage by killing the local inhabitants on Earth. He lived in a cave in Nemea, and no one could hurt the beast as no weapons could be used on him. Legends say, Hercules, the famous Greek hero, tracked this deadly beast down and choked him by holding him by his neck and killing him. Later on, he tore the fur off of the lion with its claws and wore it like a coat. The Greek Gods then placed the lion as a constellation.

Lyra

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Lyra can be seen in the northern hemisphere, and it is named after the stringed musical instrument, lyre, which was used in ancient times. Lyra is home to Vega, which is the fifth brightest star in the sky. Vega was the first star to have been photographed and have its spectrum recorded. Other notable sky objects found in this constellation are the Ring Nebula, Messier 56, and NGC 6745. Lyra is a small constellation and ranks 52nd in size. It can be observed at latitudes between +90 and – 40 degrees.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

This constellation is linked to Orpheus in Greek mythology, who was a famous musician and poet. According to legends, Orpheus had the power to heal the souls of those who are hurt with his enchanting music, and no one in the universe could create such powerful music. It is said that after his wife Eurydice died, he used to wander in the forest playing his golden lyre. The Bacchantes killed him, and they threw his lyre in the river. Zeus then sent the eagle from the sky to save him and placed him with his lyre in the sky.

Orion

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

One of the most famous constellations in the night sky is named after the Greek mythological hunter Orion. It is home to two of the brightest stars in the sky – Rigel, and Betelguese, making it one of the most visible constellations. Sometimes the head of the hunter and the bow can also be seen. Located at the latitude of +85 and – 75 degrees, it belongs to the Orion family of constellations. It is ranked 26th in size and covers an area of 594 square degrees. Orion is also a well-known constellation in many cultures across the globe and associated with many mythologies right from the Late Bronze Age.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Greek lore often represents Orion as the son of the God of the Sea, Poseidon, and Euryale. He was considered to be one of the most handsome men and was immensely strong. According to one story, Orion had feelings for the Pleiades, who were seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione. Zeus intervened and placed all of them in the night sky. Even today, the Orion constellation can be seen chasing the Pleiades cluster. Many theories have taken place about the death of Orion, most of which say he was killed by the scorpion. As a result, both of them were placed on opposite sides from each other, so that he could flee from the scorpion.

Pisces

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

One of the most famous Zodiac constellations, Pisces, represents two fish. It is one of the most astronomical constellations and lies between +90 and -65 degrees latitudes. The constellation forms a large “V” in the night sky, representing the two fishes adjoining each other. One fish forms a little triangle at one end and the other, a small circle. Pisces lies between Aquarius in the west and Aries in the east.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The Pisces constellation finds its origin in Roman mythology where Venus and Cupid are said to have taken the form of a pair of fish and tied themselves with a rope when the monster Typhon attacked them. In Greek mythology, Gaia sent Typhon, a monster with one hundred dragon’s heads, to destroy the Greek Gods. While seeing it coming, Aphrodite jumped into the water with her son Eros, and these two large fish came to their aid. Aphrodite and Eros each rode the two fish and were taken to safety. These two fish were later placed in the sky by Zeus to honor their efforts. One of the brightest stars, Alpha Piscium, forms the rope.

Sagittarius

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Another constellation from the Zodiac family, the Sagittarius represents an archer holding a bow and arrow. It is located in the plane of the Milky Way and is the 15th largest constellation in the sky, containing 32 stars. Having many stars with a high magnitude (more than 3), Sagittarius is a bright constellation and can be spotted easily. It is also the largest constellation in the southern hemisphere, and it occupies an area of 867 square degrees.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

According to Greek mythology, the constellation represents a centaur, which is a half-human that has the four legs of a horse and the torso of a man. It is imagined that the centaur points an arrow on its bow towards the nearest constellation, Scorpius. It is believed that Zeus placed the constellation in the sky to honor the Chiron, king of the Centaurs.

Scorpius

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

One of the brightest constellations in the night sky, the Scorpius, is related to the Orion constellation and is an integral part of the zodiac family. Located in the latitude between -90 degrees and +40 degrees, Scorpius is located at the center of the Milky Way. It has a bright star that resembles the planet Mars and forms the heart of the scorpion. Five stars form the head and an even line of stars that forms the body.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

In Greek mythology, the scorpion is highly linked with Orion, who was said to be killed by the scorpion after he boasted about his strength and fearlessness. When the two constellations rise, it can be assumed that Orion is fleeing away from Scorpius as both of them lie on opposite sides of the sky.

Taurus

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Translating to “bull” from Latin, Taurus is one of the most prominent clusters of stars in the night sky. Originating during the early Bronze age, the constellation is very easy to locate. The constellation is of a large “V” shape, which represents the horns of the bull along with the small head at the base. Taurus belongs to the Zodiac family and is often linked to Spring Equinox.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

According to Greek mythology, Zeus took the form of a bull to seduce the daughter of Agenor, Europa. It is said that Zeus wanted to attract Europa’s attention and did so by attaining the image of a handsome bull. Once she came near him and sat on his back, he carried her to the island of Crete and took his original form. Impressing the princess with gifts, Zeus impressed her, and they had three sons together. After this, Zeus is said to have raised the bull as a constellation.

Ursa Major

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

One of the largest constellations of the sky, the Ursa Major means “the great bear,” and it occupies an area of about 1,280 square degrees. Located in the latitude between +90 and -30 degrees, Ursa Major is often spotted by the stargazers on a clear night. Ursa Major consists of the significant asterism, “The Big Dipper,” which is an essential star for navigation.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

In Hindu mythology, the stars of the Ursa Major form the Saptarshi Constellation and the stars are named as Bhrigu, Atri, Angirasa, Vasishta, Kratu, Pulastya, and Pulalaha. According to Greek mythology, Ursa Major is linked to Callisto, who was a beautiful nymph and was seduced by Zeus. Later on, she bore him a son, and he was called Arcas. After Zeus’s wife Hera learned about this, she cursed Callisto and turned her into a bear. In this form of a bear, she lived in the forest and one day came across her son after 15 years. Arcas did not recognize his mother and was about to kill her when Zeus came to the scene and made both of them constellations, turning Callisto into Ursa Major and Arcas into Bootes ( Ursa Minor in some mythological versions).

Ursa Minor

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Located just near the Ursa Major constellation, Ursa Minor means “the smaller bear” or “little bear.” The most important fact about this constellation is the fact that it contains the North Star or the Polaris in the constellation. As a result, it can easily be located. The Polaris or the North Star forms the tail of the bear. Belonging to the Ursa Major family, the Ursa Minor is located between the latitudes of +90 and -10 degrees.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

According to Greek mythology, Ursa Minor actually represents Arcas, who was the son of Zeus and Callisto, a nymph who was seduced by Zeus. After Zeus’s wife found out about them, she was furious and turned Callisto into a bear. For 15 years, Callisto lived in the forest, and one day she came across Arcas, who was scared by the bear and was just about to kill her when Zeus intervened and made them constellations in the sky.

Virgo

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Virgo is another constellation that was first recorded by the Greek astronomer, Ptolemy, in the 2nd century. Its name is in Latin, which means “the Virgin.” It is home to Spica, which is the brightest star in the night sky. It also has the autumn equinox point. Virgo contains 20 stars and is the second-largest constellation in the sky with a covered area of 1294 square degrees. It can be seen in the third quadrant of the southern hemisphere.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

According to Greek mythology, Virgo is connected to Dike, the daughter of Zeus and Themis. She was the Goddess of justice and lived during the golden era of humankind as a mortal. After Zeus came into power, human beings slowly turned on each other, and this marked the silver era of humanity. It is said Dike then warned the mortal beings that worse would come if they did not go back to the old path of goodness and left the Earth and went to live in the mountains. After the Iron Age came, Dike left the mountains and went to heaven, taking the form of the Virgo constellation.

Pegasus

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Pegasus is one of the most astronomical constellations in the night sky, which can be seen in the northern hemisphere. It was named after the Greek-winged God, Pegasus. Ranked as the 7th largest, Pegasus occupies an area of 1121 square degrees. This constellation has acted as a multi-faceted guide not just for travelers but for astronomers as well.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

According to mythologies, Pegasus sprung from the head of the Medusa after Perseus beheaded her. Pegasus flew off into the sky, and when he returned to Earth, he was found and tamed by Minerva. Pegasus was part of several missions before he eventually reached Mount Olympus. In honor of his service, Zeus placed his constellation in the sky to shine forever like his bravery.

Look Into the Starry Sky

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

For centuries, stars have always guided us. Be it literally through navigation or by serving as a peaceful means to calm our minds. Constellations have guided man in his journeys, be it at sea, land, or as astronomers. We have associated with these heavenly objects at almost every phase of our lives. Stars and constellations have been an integral part of our lives. We must nurture the thousand years old cultures and learn about the vibrant yet colorful mythologies related to these beautiful, sparkling constellations.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

With stars being linked to our lives since our birth, via the zodiac signs and astrology, it is highly probable that we must know a few if not all of the 88 constellations. These thousands of twinkling, bright stars that light up the vast expanse above us have been and will continue to be our guide for eternity.