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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.
Religion
Constellations
represented important
religious figures or
events.
Navigation
Know where you are
as you travel.
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
Other Constellations
you should know
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
http://www2.potsdam.edu/islamma/Phys335Constellations.htm
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
http://www2.potsdam.edu/islamma/Phys335Constellations.htm
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
http://www2.potsdam.edu/islamma/Phys335Constellations.htm
When you look at a
constellation, all the
stars appear to be the
same distance from
Earth.
Look at Orion:
`
Source: NASA StarChild
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question9.html
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).