Constellations Create your own

Constellations group of stars that form a pattern in the sky The shapes you see all depend on your point of view. Stars in a constellation are NOT close to each other, but when viewed from Earth they seem to be grouped together. There are 88 accepted constellations listed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) During ancient times, constellations were used for navigation and to tell stories. Constellations

Stars as Tools for Navigation The Southern Hemisphere does not have a star to help you find its pole. In stead it has what is known as a Southern Cross. The Southern Cross consists of 4 bright stars and some dimmer ones. All of these together point to the south pole. The North Star is called Polaris and located directly above the North Pole. This star appears in the same place every night all year long. In the Northern Hemisphere, if you find Polaris you will be able to tell which direction is north. Stars as Tools for Navigation

Polaris North Star Southern Cross

History of Constellations How did they get their name?

What do you see?

Perseus and Caput Medusa What the ancients saw Perseus and Caput Medusa

A myth is story handed down through history concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon,. Myths typically involve supernatural beings or events. Many of the names of the constellations came from myths. Myths

What do you see?

What the ancients saw Ursa Major

Ursa Major The Great Bear Ursa Major is one of the most famous constellations. It also known as the Great Bear, it has a companion called Ursa Minor, or Little Bear. The body and tail of the Great Bear make up what is known as the Big Dipper. Most of the constellation is circumpolar, which means it can be viewed all year long. However, parts of the legs will disappear from the sky in the fall and reappear in the winter. Ursa Major The Great Bear

They Myth of Ursa Major & Ursa Minor Zeus, King of the Gods, fell in love with the beautiful Callisto, a young woman who was a hunter. When Hera, Zeus' wife, heard of what has happening she was furious and set out after Callisto. On finding her, Hera said, "Your beauty, of which my husband speaks, is no more!" whereupon Hera changes Callisto into a bear. Hera left Callisto with her human feelings rather than those of a bear. Callisto roamed the forest day and night in constant fear of the hunters and in fear of other wild beasts, although she was now one. They Myth of Ursa Major & Ursa Minor

They Myth of Ursa Major & Ursa Minor One day Callisto found herself face- to-face with a young hunter and suddenly recognized him as her son, Arcas. She raised up on her hind legs to embrace her son. Thinking that the bear was about to attack him, Arcas raised his spear and was about to hurl it and kill his mother. Zeus happened to be looking down on the scene from his position on Mt. Olympus and instantly turned Arcas into a bear also. Zeus then grasped each bear by its tail and tugged and tugged until he had managed to lift both high into the sky, Callisto as Ursa Major and her son Arcas as Ursa Minor. They Myth of Ursa Major & Ursa Minor

Casseopia Nickname “The Queen” Because of her bragging and vanity, Cassiopeia was chained to her throne and placed in the sky to circle the North Star.  At times she is hanging upside down in a most undignified position as a warning to all. Cassiopeia is a northern circumpolar constellation, so it can be viewed all year long. Casseopia

Cygnus, the Swan, is also known as the Northern Cross because of it's shape. In one myth, Cygnus is a friend of Phaethon, the son of Apollo, the sun god. Phaethon fell into a river trying to drive the a chariot. Cygnus dove repeatedly into the water to search for Phaethon. Out of pity, Zeus turned the boy into a swan. Cygnus

Orion the Hunter Very bright and distinct. Orion looks very much like a person. One of Orion's legs is represented by the bright star Rigelone of the brightest stars in the night sky. His two shoulders are made of the stars Bellatrix and Betelguese. The famous Orion Nebula is located in Orion's sword, which hangs from the belt. Sirius, (Canis Major), his hunting dog, trails at his feet. Orion the Hunter

Orion was a famed hunter, and in one story boasted that no creature could kill him. Hera sent a scorpion to sting the hunter. Orion smashed the animal with his club, but not before he was poisoned. Both are now on opposite sides of the sky. They cannot be seen at the same time. Orion the Hunter

Orion boasted that so great was his might and skill as a hunter that he could kill all the animals on the face of the Earth.  Hera was alarmed at such a boastful and inappropriate statement.  Hera decided that Orion must be killed just in case he might one day decide to carry out his boast.  Hera sent the Scorpius to sting Orion.  Scorpius stung Orion on the heel (at the star Rigel) and Orion smashed Scorpius. Orion and the scorpion are at opposite ends of the sky. Scorpius The Scorpion

You are going to create your own constellation and myth! YOUR TURN! You are going to create your own constellation and myth!

Slide 1: Name of the constellation Your name, date, class period. Slide 2: dot to dot pattern of the constellation. (dots for stars – connect with different colored lines) Slide 3: Find or draw a picture of the constellation Slide 4: Create a myth or story that goes with the constellation (must be at least 10 sentences long) DIRECTIONS Create the presentation in Google Drive Use Google Chrome to open Save presentation in Constellation Folder

Have Fun!