Pictures in the Sky Project
Constellation Viewers
Choose a partner. Discuss which constellation you would like to create a viewer for. The
suggestions below are only Greek constellations, so I encourage you to explore other cultures.
Andromeda, Aquarius, Aries, Auriga, Bootes, Cancer, Canis Major, Capella, Capricorn,
Cassiopeia, Cephus, Cetus, Corvus, Cygnus, Draco, Gemini, Grus, Hydra, Libra, Lyra, Orion,
Pegasus, Pheonix, Pisces, Taurus, Triangulum, Australe, Ursa Minor, Vela, and Virgo are good
starter constellations, but you are welcome to research and choose one that isn't listed here.
Once you have decided on a constellation, you will create constellation diagrams,
including the names of the stars of the constellation and their distance from Earth. In addition,
stars should be labeled with the Greek letter designating its luminosity. Dimmer stars will be
labeled with numbers.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU START
Now you can create your constellation boxes! You will need a shoebox with a lid, toothpicks,
modeling clay, paper, aluminum foil, glue, and scissors. You will also need to determine the
scale of your box based on its length (e.g. 1 cm = 1 light year). Your constellation diagram will
need to fit on the inside front of your shoebox.
1. Cut a circular or rectangular hole in one end of your box. This represents Earth. Glue
your constellation diagram at the other end.
2. Cut out a white sheet of paper the size of the bottom of the shoebox. Add distance lines
along the entire length of the paper, similar to yardage lines on a football field. These
lines to correspond to your scale.
3. Now add dotted lines where your stars will be. Label each line with its corresponding
star. Glue your paper to the bottom or your box when you are finished.
4. Your stars will be constructed of toothpicks on a clay base with aluminum foil circles at
the top. Arrange your stars in perspective to Earth. Have someone else look through the
viewing hole while you align your stars with the diagram on the back.
5. Trim the toothpicks down to the correct height and glue to the bottom of your box. To
mimic the night sky, you can line the box in black paper or marker.
6. You can decorate the outside however you wish. Keep in mind which constellation you
chose.
Answer the questions; use a separate piece of paper if necessary.
1. What scale did you use to represent the distance of a star from Earth?
2. What does the view from the end of the box represent?
3. What is the significance of the view from the top of the box when the lid is removed?
4. What happens to your constellation as you look at it from different places in our galaxy?
5. Why does it look the same when viewed from different places on Earth?
6. Models are imperfect representations of reality. What is one flaw or mistake in your
model?
7. Provide a bibliography in which you list all the sources you used for this project.
8. Share two cultural myths you found concerning your constellation. Be sure to name the
culture, the story characters mentioned by the culture, and the story associated with the
constellation.