Novas  Occurs in binary star system  It is a star that suddenly increases in brightness and slowly becomes dimmer  Gases from one of the stars occasionally strike the surface of the companion star and the result is nuclear explosion  Tremendous amount of heat, light and gases busts into space

Nova in a binary star system

Constellations  Star patterns shaped like people and animals  Unlike other star groups, they have stars that are usually not close together  Their stars appear close as viewed from the earth but they may actually be far apart  Rigel and Betelgeuse can be found in the Orion constellation yet they are separated by a huge distance of 600 light years

Constellations  They are important because they help form map of the sky  Any location in the sky can be described in relation to a constellation  Stars are also named according to the constellation in which they are located

Constellations  88 known constelations

Aquarius (the water bearer)

Aries (the Ram)

Cancer (the crab)

Gemini (the Twins)

Ursa Major

Orion (the Hunter)

Pegasus (the winged horse)

Cygnus