1. CONSTELLATIONS

2. Constellation detective activity

3. Constellation detective activity
Answer on star map 1-3
Intro video

5. The Hunter
The Big Dipper

6. Cassiopeia= the sitting queen
The constellation looks nothing like a sitting queen

7. Constellation
A group of stars that seem to form a distinctive pattern in the sky
88 official constellations by the The International Astronomical Union (IAU)
Examples of constellations:
- Cancer (the crab)
- Ursa Minor (the Little bear)
- Ursa Major (the Great bear)

8. Asterisms
Are subsets of constellations which build a constellation itself
E.g.
Big Dipper is a part of the Ursa Major constellation
Belt of Orion is part of Orion constellation
The Tea Pot asterism is part of the Archer (Sagittarius) constellation

9. In reality, Orion looks like this
The stars in a pattern are not necessarily the same distance from Earth.

10. Greek Myth behind the Constellation Orion
3 min Orion, the hunter, appears in the winter sky, with his bow and his hunting dog, Sirius, trailing behind him Greek mythology tells us that, in ancient Greece, Orion was known as a talented hunter. His boast that he could rid the Earth of all the wild animals angered the Earth goddess, Gaia. She sent a scorpion to defeat Orion. Orion tried to battle the scorpion. He quickly realized that he could not shoot his arrow through the creature’s armor. To avoid the scorpion, he jumped into the sea. It was then that Apollo (the Greek god of the Sun) decided to take action. He pointed out to his twin sister, Artemis, a small black object in the sea. Claiming it was a horrible villain, he dared her to shoot it with her bow and arrow. Artemis easily hit the target. When she swam out to retrieve her victim; however, she discovered that the villain was her friend, Orion. Artemis begged the gods to bring Orion back to life, but they refused. Therefore, she put Orion’s picture in the sky so that she could always see him

11. Polaris = The North Star
Does not appear to move in the sky  why?
Watch:
Used by people in the northern hemisphere as a compass to find which way is north
Furthest two stars from the handle of the Big Dipper point toward Polaris
The last star on the handle of the Little dipper is Polaris
Can people from
Southern hemisphere see Polaris?

12. Do all people see the same constellations around the world?
Since Earth revolves around the sun, you will see different constellations at different times of the year
This also depends on your latitude (What’s latitude?)
Latitude = the distance from the equator
Canada ° N, ° W
Equator
Our Earth

13. Hands-on task Station 1: Make and use a planisphere (star map)
How to use a star chart:
(longer, more details)

14. Station 2: Download Skyview app onto ipad to locate different constellations (10 min)
Star chart app
Skyview app

15. Station 3: Make a constellation out of your name

16. Station 4: An overview of the Sun, Earth & Moon
On teacher’s data projector
If not finished inclass; do for HW for further practice
Powerpoint and Links posted on course website

17. Practice using the Star map
Set the Star map to show the sky for 9 pm today. Today’s date should be next to 9pm. What constellations are visible?
Turn the dial until it is set for 11 pm tonight:
What constellations are visible?
b. Which constellations were visible at 9pm but no longer visible at 11 pm?
c. Which constellations are visible at 11 pm but not at 9 pm?
3. Turn the dial until it is set for 6 am
Which constellations are still visible that were up at 9 pm?
b. Describe the motion of the constellations follow from 9pm to 6 am?
Remember:
It’s the Earth that rotates; not that the sky/stars revolve around the Earth
Which horizon is closest to the disappearing constellations?