Constellations and Navigation Tools

What is a constellation??? Group of visible stars that form a pattern when viewed from Earth. Patterns may take the shape of an animal, mythological creature, man, woman, or object such as a crown or compass.

The stars we see in each constellation are very far away from us. They appear to be close to each other in the shape, but may be great distances apart in space.

As the earth rotates on its axis, the constellations and stars in them appear to move across the sky. They do not move in space, but appear to move because the Earth is moving.

At the equator, the stars move in a straight line across the sky. They rise in the east and set in the west. Near the poles, the stars appear to rotate in a circle in the sky and never set.

People in the Northern Hemisphere do not see the same constellations as the people in the Southern Hemisphere.

Constellations may be only visible during certain seasons due to the Earth’s orbit around the sun. The earth may be on the far side of the sun (further away from those stars, making them appear below the horizon) if the constellation is not visible.

There are three important constellations to know: Ursa Major Ursa Minor Orion

Big Dipper Ursa Major is also called “Great Bear” one of the largest constellations. It is easily visible in the spring night sky. It can be seen best in the month of April at 9:00pm. It is best known because it contains the “big dipper,” which looks like a ladle.

Little Dipper Ursa Minor is also called “Little Bear” This constellation can be seen best in the summer sky. It can be seen best in the month of June at 9:00pm. The North Star is located at the tip of the handle. Another name for the North Star is Polaris.

Orion Orion is visible during the winter night sky. It is best seen in the month of January at 9:00pm. one of the most recognizable constellations – it contains some of the brightest stars that we can see Looking for the three stars that form a line in Orion’s belt is the easiest way to locate the constellation in the night sky.

Compass An instrument used for navigation; it generally has a magnetic needle that points toward the earth's magnetic North Pole. Before the compass, geographical position, destination, and direction at sea were primarily determined by the sighting of landmarks and the observation of the position of celestial bodies (sun/stars). Has been in existence for over 3,000 years.

Astrolabe Created over 2,000 years ago An ancient astronomical computer for solving problems relating to time and the position of the Sun and stars in the sky.  Typical uses of the astrolabe include: Finding the time during the day or night Finding the time of a celestial event such as sunrise or sunset Find one’s position Astrolabes were also one of the basic astronomy education tools in the late Middle Ages. 

Sextant Used as a navigational tool out at sea Helps determine a ship's longitude and latitude by measuring angles between the horizon and celestial bodies (sun/stars). A more advanced version of the astrolabe. First one was created by Englishman John Bird in 1757.

Telescope Invented in the Netherlands in 1608 (Not by Galileo as most people believe…his came in 1609). Quickly became the astronomer's most essential tool. Telescope can gather more light than the eye, so it makes faint, faraway objects seem brighter and closer.