Constellations
What is a constellation?
An imaginary picture in the sky, made using
stars, that represents a person, animal, or
object.
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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.
Important Groups of Constellations
The twelve (thirteen, really!)
constellations of the Zodiac.
Zodiac – “Circle of animals.”
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The Sun, Moon, and planets appear to move
through the Zodiac.
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Constellations of the Zodiac
Aries (Ram), Taurus (Bull), Gemini (Twins),
Cancer (Crab), Leo (Lion), Virgo (The
maiden), Libra (Scales), Scorpius (Scorpion),
Sagittarius (Archer), Capricornus (Water
Goat), Aquarius (Water Bearer), Pisces (Fish),
& Lucky 13 Ophiuchus (Serpent Bearer).
Circumpolar Constellations
Constellations that rotate around the North
Star and are visible all year.
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Circumpolar Constellations
Constellations that rotate around the North
Star and are visible all year.
Circumpolar Constellations – Big Dipper
(Ursa Major), Little Dipper (Ursa Minor),
Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and Draco (Dragon).
When you look at a constellation, all the
stars appear to be the same distance from
Earth.
Look at Orion...
Source: NASA StarChild
Orion constellation (as seen from Polaris).
The true shape of Orion.
3-D Tour of the constellations.
Why do we see different constellations
during the evening?
Earth rotates on its axis.
Rotation - When a planet or
moon turns all the way around
or spins on its axis one time.
Why do we see different constellations
through the year?
The Earth revolves around the Sun.
Revolution - The circling of one object
around another object in space. The Earth
revolves around the Sun.
The constellations of Winter.
The constellations of Spring.
The constellations of Summer.
The constellations of Fall.
Constellations used for navigation.
The Big Dipper helps find direction.
Runaway slaves used the Big Dipper
(Drinking Gourd).
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
The Presentation
Ends Here.