Constellations of Astronomy
Astronomy 101
Weide 2021
Name__________________________________________
Directions: Using the Star Charts, Stellarium and the internet, fill in the table below and answer the following questions.
Constellation name is the official name, usually Latin.
Common name or nickname….example, Ursa minor is the “little bear” or asterism
Main Stars…number of stars found in the main part of the constellation
Brightest Star….as seen from earth (apparent magnitude or m)
Sketch….make a line drawing of the constellation
Constellation Name
Ursa Major
Ursa Minor
Cassiopeia
Cepheus
Andromeda
Constellation
Nickname or common
name
(asterism)
Number of
stars in main
part of
constellation
(main stars)
Brightest Star
Big Dipper
Great Bear
Plow
20
Alioth
Sketch
Constellation Name
Pegasus
Perseus
Draco
Cygnus
Orion
Constellation
Nickname or
common name
Main Stars
Brightest Star
Sketch
Constellation Name
Canis major
Canis minor
Taurus
Gemini
Auriga
Constellation
Nickname or
common name
Main Stars
Brightest Star
Sketch
Constellation Name
Pleiades
Leo
Hercules
Bootes
Cancer
Constellation
Nickname or
common name
Main Stars
Brightest Star
Sketch
Constellation Name
Virgo
Aquarius
Pisces
Aquila
Corvus/Crater
Constellation
Nickname or
common name
Main Stars
Brightest Star
Sketch
Questions: For these questions, use Stellarium and set the date for this Friday and position the sky at 10:00pm. Make sure the
sky is set to Sartell.
1. Are any planets visible at this time in the night sky? If yes, list them. Make sure they are turned on and visible. You
may want to search for them.
2. Is the moon visible? (make sure the moon is turned on.) What phase is it in?
3. List the 6 brightest stars in the sky…and list their apparent magnitudes.
Star
Apparent Magnitude
4. What direction do the stars rotate in the sky…clockwise or counter clockwise? Speed up time by pressing L.
5. What star does not appear to move and why?
6. Locate the Andromeda galaxy. Can you see this outside at night with just your eyes, based on what you can see using
Stellarium?
7. How far away is the Andromeda Galaxy?