Sky Science Science 6 Mrs. DeForge

Observing the Night Sky 0SbS5Q 0SbS5Q 0SbS5Q 0SbS5Q

Ancient Beliefs Throughout the ages, people have been fascinated with the skies and tried to understand and explain celestial bodies and events. Throughout the ages, people have been fascinated with the skies and tried to understand and explain celestial bodies and events. Various cultures have used story—myths and folktales to do this. Various cultures have used story—myths and folktales to do this.

Ancient Astronomers Ptolemy (~2000 years ago) Ptolemy (~2000 years ago) Came up with the first known map of the heavens Came up with the first known map of the heavens Said the earth was shaped like a great sphere Said the earth was shaped like a great sphere The earth was the centre of the universe with the sun, the moon and the stars revolving around it. The earth was the centre of the universe with the sun, the moon and the stars revolving around it. The earth did not spin on The earth did not spin on its axis but rather was quite still

Ancient Astronomers Capernicus (1530 CE) Capernicus (1530 CE) Said that the sun was at the centre of the universe, not the earth Said that the sun was at the centre of the universe, not the earth The earth spins on The earth spins on an axis as it travels an axis as it travels around the sun around the sun

Ancient Astronomers Galileo (1610 CE) Galileo (1610 CE) Able to prove that Capernicus was right Able to prove that Capernicus was right He used an “optic tube” later to be named a telescope He used an “optic tube” later to be named a telescope

Constellations and Ancient Civilization KzYQw KzYQw KzYQw KzYQw

What are Constellations? Constellations are names for groups of stars that appear to form shapes in the sky. They were given their names hundreds of years ago to help us remember which stars are which. Constellations are names for groups of stars that appear to form shapes in the sky. They were given their names hundreds of years ago to help us remember which stars are which. We use constellations to divide up the sky; finding one can help us to find another because constellations move so slowly that, in our lifetime, they will always be found in the same place. We use constellations to divide up the sky; finding one can help us to find another because constellations move so slowly that, in our lifetime, they will always be found in the same place.

Why Were Constellations Invented? Farmers know that for most crops, you plant in the spring and harvest in the fall. But in some regions, there is not much differentiation between the seasons. Since different constellations are visible at different times of the year, you can use them to tell what month it is. Farmers know that for most crops, you plant in the spring and harvest in the fall. But in some regions, there is not much differentiation between the seasons. Since different constellations are visible at different times of the year, you can use them to tell what month it is.

How Many Constellations Are There? There are currently eighty-eight (88) figures in the sky that have been generally recognized as being “official” constellations by NASA. There are currently eighty-eight (88) figures in the sky that have been generally recognized as being “official” constellations by NASA.

Constellations Q0i8 Q0i8 Q0i8 Q0i8

Starry, Starry Night Stars will be most visible on a clear dark moonless night away from light. Stars will be most visible on a clear dark moonless night away from light. How did the Greeks make sense of all of the different stars? How did the Greeks make sense of all of the different stars? They clustered them into groups called constellations. They clustered them into groups called constellations. Constellations were first recorded and named by the early Greeks who used the patterns in the sky to tell about mythology and the gods. Constellations were first recorded and named by the early Greeks who used the patterns in the sky to tell about mythology and the gods.

Starry, Starry Night The easiest star to find is the North Star, also known as Polaris. The easiest star to find is the North Star, also known as Polaris. Polaris is a moderately bright star that can be found on an imaginary line drawn from the pointers of the Big Dipper. Polaris is a moderately bright star that can be found on an imaginary line drawn from the pointers of the Big Dipper. From the North Star, other stars can be located by using the fist “sky measure” method. From the North Star, other stars can be located by using the fist “sky measure” method.

Starry, Starry Night “The Big Dipper” aka. Ursa Major “The Big Dipper” aka. Ursa Major Identify the seven brightest stars in the Big Dipper. They look like a cooking pot. Identify the seven brightest stars in the Big Dipper. They look like a cooking pot. Next, trace the stars out to the nose of the bear, then his belly and finally his feet. Next, trace the stars out to the nose of the bear, then his belly and finally his feet. “The Little Dipper” aka. Ursa Minor “The Little Dipper” aka. Ursa Minor Use the pointer stars of Ursa Major and identify the north star Polaris. Use the pointer stars of Ursa Major and identify the north star Polaris. Next, trace out the patterns of the Little Dipper. (No other stars are needed for the Little Bear.) Next, trace out the patterns of the Little Dipper. (No other stars are needed for the Little Bear.)

Starry, Starry Night Cassiopeia “The Queen” Cassiopeia “The Queen” is the “W” that can be seen in the night time sky. is the “W” that can be seen in the night time sky. Use the second star in the handle of the big dipper and draw a line through Polaris. Use the second star in the handle of the big dipper and draw a line through Polaris. Follow this line through the night time sky until you come to the “W” in the sky. This is the constellation of Cassiopeia the queen. Follow this line through the night time sky until you come to the “W” in the sky. This is the constellation of Cassiopeia the queen. To trace out the “W” scientists add the 6th star to make the Queen’s throne. From there they draw a queen sitting on the throne. To trace out the “W” scientists add the 6th star to make the Queen’s throne. From there they draw a queen sitting on the throne. Cassiopeia can be seen in the northern sky at any time of night during the year. Cassiopeia can be seen in the northern sky at any time of night during the year.

Starry, Starry Night Ursa Major, Cassiopeia and Ursa Minor, are circumpolar constellations meaning they circle the north star and can be seen year round. Ursa Major, Cassiopeia and Ursa Minor, are circumpolar constellations meaning they circle the north star and can be seen year round. Cygnus “the swan” Cygnus “the swan” can be seen in the night sky by drawing a line through the two stars on the pot on the dipper. can be seen in the night sky by drawing a line through the two stars on the pot on the dipper. Drawing a line through the two stars and extend it up until you come to the star Deneb. Drawing a line through the two stars and extend it up until you come to the star Deneb. Once Deneb has been located find the remainder of the stars that make up the constellation. Once Deneb has been located find the remainder of the stars that make up the constellation.

Starry, Starry Night Orion (The Hunter) Orion (The Hunter) Best known and among the most obvious in the sky. Best known and among the most obvious in the sky. Its brilliant stars are found on the celestial equator and are visible throughout the world, making this constellation universally recognized. Its brilliant stars are found on the celestial equator and are visible throughout the world, making this constellation universally recognized. The constellation of Orion was roughly formed 1.5 million years ago because of relative slow movements of stars within the constellation from the earth’s perspective (especially the belt of Orion); The constellation of Orion was roughly formed 1.5 million years ago because of relative slow movements of stars within the constellation from the earth’s perspective (especially the belt of Orion); The Orion constellation will remain visible in the night sky for the next 1 to 2 million years, making the constellation one of the longest observable constellations parallel to the rise of human civilization. The Orion constellation will remain visible in the night sky for the next 1 to 2 million years, making the constellation one of the longest observable constellations parallel to the rise of human civilization.