Constellations-A
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Transcript Constellations-A
Constellations
Astronomy
The scientific study of the universe beyond
the Earth
Tells us about the origin, history and
structure of our universe and solar system
Uses telescopes and satellites
Astrology
The study that interprets how the
positions of the stars, planets and moon
effect your personality, fate, relationships
etc
ASTERISM
A cluster of stars that is a subset of a
constellation
Ex : the Big Dipper is part of the
constellation Ursa Major- the Great Bear
An unofficial constellation
CONSTELLATION
A group of stars in the same region of the
sky to which a name has been given
Ex: Orion, Capricorn, Pegasus
Any of the 88 groups of stars seen from
Earth named by ancient Greeks after
animals, objects or mythological figures
CIRCUMPOLAR
A group of 5 constellations that circle close
to the North Star
These constellations never fall below the
horizon
Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia,
Cepheus and Draco
Ecliptic
The part of the sky that is the plane of orbit
of the sun, the moon and the planets
The zodiac constellations fall in this great
circle
HOROSCOPE
A prediction made based on the position of
the sun, moon and planets
A chart or diagram showing the positions
of celestial bodies and interpreted for their
influence over human events
PRECESSION
The slow cone shaped motion of the
Earth’s axis of rotation
The Earth wobbles as it rotates over a
25,800 year period
This causes the zodiac constellations to
line up differently with the sun over long
periods of time
Zodiac
A band of constellations found along the
ecliptic
Originally contained 12 signs or “houses”
The sun resides in each constellation for
approximately one month
Constellations
There are only 88 official constellations
13 Zodiac Constellations
5 Circumpolar Constellations
Several constellations are seen in both the
Northern and Southern Hemispheres
In the past elaborate pictures were drawn
to represent the story behind the
constellation
Orion the Hunter
Orion the Hunter
Ancient People in Europe and the Middle
East saw a hunter brandishing a club
when they looked at Orion
In Australia, it is turned upside down
To professional astronomers, Orion is an
irregular part of the sky
Orion the Hunter
By the late 19th century, popular
stargazing guides began to represent
constellations as stick figures
In 1952 H.A. Rey (author of Curious
George) revolutionized the way we look at
constellations by connecting the dots in
new and clever ways.
Orion 2
Orion 3
Which do you like better?