1. Mr. Ridder
Constellations

2. What is a constellation?
A group of stars that are visible within a particular region of the night sky.
Because stars are so far away, they appear next to each other
People make up different shapes out of the same groups of stars

3. Continued…
Named after animals, some after mythological characters (Leo & Orion)
Some named after scientific instruments (Microscopium)
Viewed after sunset and before sunrise
As the Earth turns, you can see different constellations

4. Major Constellations Ursa Major – The Great Bear
3rd largest constellation
Asterism: Big Dipper
Recognizable formation of stars

5. Major Constellations Ursa Minor – The Little Dipper, Lesser Bear
Home of the North Star
Ships use this star as a Navigation Tool
Brightest star in the sky

6. Major Constellations Orion – The Hunter
He is the Master of the winter skies
He is the Lord of the sky as hunts with his dog, Sirius, from late Fall to early Spring

7. …And Finally 88 official constellations
Astronomers haven’t made up new constellations for 100’s of years
When new stars are discovered, they are considered to be part of existing knowledge