Download - Stevenson High School

Mr. Gord
Astronomy
Constellations Reading Assignment
Read the following pages and answer the questions below. The questions are a guide to the reading, but all of the
information is fair game for a quiz or test. The first assessment will include information from this assignment/topic. This
assignment is due tomorrow and we will discuss the answers/topics as a class. So please bring any questions that you may
have as you read. Thanks. Answer with a complete sentence!
Read pp 561-563 section titled Constellations and Box 20.2
1. What is a constellation?
2. How many constellations are there?
3. Constellations are made up by the apparent arrangement of stars. Are those stars in a constellations
physically connected/bound to one another? Tell me about those stars.
4. Are there any stars that are not part of a constellation? Explain.
5. How is astrology and astronomy different?
6. How is astrology and astronomy related?
7. What is the significance of the zodiac?
8. If your zodiac sign is Virgo, what does that mean about the position of the earth, sun, and the
constellation Virgo?
9. How come certain constellations are visible at only certain times of the year? (Note: they are sometimes
referred to as Seasonal Constellations).
10. If a new comet is discovered and it is said to be in the constellation Cassiopeia, what does that mean?
11. Not all stars in a constellation have the same brightness. How do astronomers name the brightest star in
a constellation?