Constellations

What is a constellation? Using stars, it is an imaginary picture in the sky that represents a person, animal, or object.

Why were constellations created? Calendars – Helped farmers keep track of seasons.

Constellations represented important religious figures or events. Religion

Know where you are as you travel. Navigation Source: NOAA

Important Groups of Constellations The twelve (thirteen, really!) constellations of the Zodiac*. *Zodiac – Greek for “circle of animals.”

The Sun, Moon, and planets appear to move through the zodiac. Source: MSN Encarta

Circumpolar Constellations Constellations that rotate around the North Star and are visible all year. Source: Windows on the Universe

Orion Found in the high southern winter sky. Other Constellations you should know

Killed by a scorpion and placed in the sky. Source: Dr. Islam’s Constellation page

Other constellations you should know Boötes Found in the northern sky during spring.

Other Constellations you should know The herdsman watching the bears. Source: Dr. Islam’s Constellation page

Other Constellations you should know Use the Big Dipper’s handle to find Boötes. (Make an arc to Arcturus.)

Other constellations you should know Scorpius Found in the southern sky in summer.

Other Constellations you should know Killed Orion. When Orion is seen, Scorpius is nowhere to be found! Source: Dr. Islam’s Constellation page

When you look at a constellation, all the stars appear to be the same distance from Earth.

` Look at Orion: Source: NASA StarChild

Why do we see different constellations during the evening? Earth rotates on its axis.

Why do we see different constellations through the year? The Earth revolves around the Sun.

Constellations used for navigation. The North Star helps find direction. Runaway slaves used the Big Dipper (Drinking Gourd).