Transcript Constellations

CONSTELLATIONS
WHAT IS A CONSTELLATION?
A pattern, or shape, made by
stars in the night sky.
CONSTELLATIONS
The pattern constellations form may take
the shape of:
Animal
Mythological creature
Man
Woman
Inanimate object (microscope, compass,
crown)
HOW MANY CONSTELLATIONS ARE THERE?
88 major constellations
Named by early astronomers
North Star = Polaris (it’s
almost directly over the north
pole)
The Zodiac Constellations
-Constellations located within a band that is about 20 degrees
wide in the sky.
- This band is considered special because it is the band where
the Sun, the Moon, and the planets all move.
- There are 13 zodiac constellations :
1.Capricornus
8. Scorpius
2. Aquarius
9. Cancer
3. Pisces
10. Leo
4. Aries
11. Virgo
5. Taurus
12. Libra
6. Gemini
13. Orphiuchus
7. Sagittarius
 http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/tonights_sky/
CIRCUMPOLAR CONSTELLATIONS
Constellations that appear to move
because Earth is moving.
Rotate around Polaris
Some constellations can only be seen in
certain seasons.
Ex. Orion (we can’t see in the summer
because the northern hemisphere faces
Orion during the day)
FUN FACT!!!
If you are on the equator you
can view all the constellations
in a year. If you are on the
North or South Pole, you will
only be able to see the part of
the sky above you.
Let’s take a look at
some constellations!
CASSIOPEIA
 https://youtu.be/sAmJjvq27T4
CASSIOPEIA
CYGNUS
CYGNUS
ORION
 https://youtu.be/Jf8Nh4iOkcI
ORION
SCORPIUS
 https://youtu.be/1sZF
SCORPIUS
 https://youtu.be/1sZF8rQH1Vs
URSA MAJOR
URSA MAJOR
USES FOR CONSTELLATIONS:
 Constellations help people to recognize stars in the sky. By
looking for patterns, the stars and locations can be much
easier to spot.
 The constellations had uses in ancient times. They were
used to help keep track of the calendar. This was very
important so that people knew when to plant and harvest
crops.
 Another important use for constellations was navigation. By
finding Ursa Minor it is fairly easy to spot the North Star
(Polaris). Using the height of the North Star in the sky,
navigators could figure out their latitude helping ships to
travel across the oceans.