Transcript Constellations

Yesterday in class we learned a little about
constellations, but we didn’t take notes.
Now you
will take
some notes!
Constellations
Set up your
page for 2
column notes!
5/19/15
Constellations
5/19/15
• What is a
constellation?
• A group of stars that SEEM
to make a picture
• What are circumpolar
constellations?
• Constellations that appear to
move around the pole star,
Polaris
• They can be seen all year e.g.,
Ursa Major, Cepheus
• What are seasonal
constellations?
• Constellations that cannot
be seen all year.
• What are zodiac
constellations?
- e.g. Orion, Leo, Pegasus
• Seasonal constellations that
are associated with the
astrological signs of the
zodiac
e.g. Aries, Taurus, Cancer
When we go in the Star Lab, we will need to know
how to read a constellation map, like this star finder:
How to read a constellation map.
Remember, Earth is
tilted on its axis.
The “celestial sphere”
That’s why here
on Earth, the sun
and planets
appear to go
around the Earth
along a slanted
pathway that
mirrors the plane
of the solar
system.
We call this path
the ecliptic.
The celestial equator is an imaginary
line mirroring Earth’s equator.
Notice where the sun is
in relation to the
celestial equator during
the different seasons.
What happens on the
equinoxes?
Here is a view from Earth looking into the sky: The green line is the ecliptic, the pathwa
the sun appears to follow. The red line is the celestial equator. What day is this?
The ancient astrologers chose constellations that are found along the
ecliptic as the constellations of the Zodiac.
Try to picture the plane of the solar system with the stars and constellations
far, far away in all directions. The ones lined up along the plane of the solar
system will look like they are on the sun’s path – the ecliptic.
See of you can find the ecliptic and celestial equator
on this diagram:
QUESTIONS!
• Be sure to write the title and date in your
Journal! The title should be “Constellations
Powerpoint.”
• Be sure to answer in complete sentences
that restate the questions!
1. What is a constellation?
2. Can we see all the constellations all
the time? Be sure to explain thoroughly!
3. What is the “ecliptic”?