constellations. what is a constellation? using stars, it is an imaginary picture in the sky that...

Constellations

What is a constellation?

Using stars, it is an imaginary picture in the

sky that represents a

person, animal, or object.

Why were constellations

created?Calendars – Helped farmers keep track of

seasons.

Constellations represented important

religious figures or events.

Religion

Know where you are as you travel.

Navigation

Source: NOAA

Important Groups of

ConstellationsThe twelve (thirteen, really!) constellations of

the Zodiac*.*Zodiac – Greek for “circle of

animals.”

The Sun, Moon, and planets

appear to move through the

zodiac.

Source: MSN Encarta

Circumpolar ConstellationsConstellations that rotate around the North Star and are

visible all year.

Source: Windows on the Universe

Orion

Found in the high southern winter sky.

Other Constellations

you should know

Other Constellations

you should know

Killed by a scorpion and placed in the sky.

Source: Dr. Islam’s Constellation pagehttp://www2.potsdam.edu/islamma/Phys335Constellations.htm

Other constellations

you should knowBoötes

Found in the northern sky during spring.

Other Constellations

you should knowThe herdsman

watching the bears.

Source: Dr. Islam’s Constellation pagehttp://www2.potsdam.edu/islamma/Phys335Constellations.htm

Other Constellations

you should know

Use the Big Dipper’s handle to find Boötes.(Make an arc to Arcturus.)

Other constellations

you should know

Scorpius

Found in the southern sky in summer.

Other Constellations

you should know

Killed Orion. When Orion is seen, Scorpius is nowhere to be found!Source: Dr. Islam’s Constellation page

http://www2.potsdam.edu/islamma/Phys335Constellations.htm

When you look at a

constellation, all the stars appear to be

the same distance from

Earth.

`

Look at Orion:

Source: NASA StarChildhttp://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question9.html

Why do we see different

constellations during the evening?Earth rotates on its axis.

Why do we see different

constellations through the year?The Earth revolves around

the Sun.

Constellations used for

navigation.The North Star helps find direction.Runaway slaves

used the Big Dipper (Drinking

Gourd).