The constellations:
A) are 88 in number and cover the entire sky.
B) that the ancients imagined are constantly being augmented by newly invented constellations, as new stars are always being discovered.
C) are of historical interest only and play no role at all in modern astronomy.
D) consist of groups of stars that are all about the same distance from us.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The constellations are indeed 88 in number and cover the entire sky. This is a fundamental fact about them and distinguishes them from the other choices.

Answer: B
 It is true that new constellations were added in the past and now they are not considered as important, but it is not true that newly invented constellations are constantly being added. New stars are discovered, but the number of constellations is fixed at 88.

Answer: C
 This statement is completely false. Constellations play a crucial role in modern astronomy for easy and efficient reference to celestial objects.

Answer: D
 This statement is not accurate as the stars in a particular constellation could be at varying distance from us. Constellations are groupings of stars as seen from the Earth, and they may appear to be close in the sky, but their actual distances from us could vary significantly.

The Constellations