Final answer:
The names of southern hemisphere constellations mainly originate from the 17th and 18th centuries, named after scientific instruments and other symbols of that era, while ancient constellations from both hemispheres were named after characters and creatures from Greek and Roman mythology, with some star names also stemming from Arabic origins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The official names of the southern hemisphere constellations mainly come from the late Renaissance period, during the 17th and 18th centuries, when European astronomers began to observe the southern skies more thoroughly and created newer constellations that did not exist in ancient Greek and Roman traditions. These constellations were often named after scientific instruments, exotic animals, and various other contemporary symbols. For example, constellation names like Microscopium and Telescopium represent pieces of laboratory equipment.
Contrary to this, the ancient constellations of both hemispheres, recognized by the Greeks and later by the Romans, bear names from their respective mythologies. Heroes, animals, and mythological creatures, such as Orion the hunter or Scorpio the scorpion, were immortalized in the stars. These traditional names were largely preserved and continued by later cultures.
Interestingly, the brightest stars themselves have names from Greek, Latin, and Arabic origins, highlighting a blend of cultural influences over time. Arabic scholars played a significant role in preserving and enhancing the knowledge of the starry skies during Europe's Dark Ages, leading to Arabic star names like Vega and Betelgeuse becoming part of the modern lexicon.