Constellations• The constellations are totally imaginary things that poets,

farmers and astronomers have made up over the past 6,000 years (and probably even more!). The real purpose for the constellations is to help us tell which stars are which, nothing more.

• On a really dark night, you can see about 1000 to 1500 stars. • In the beginning farmers  invented the constellations. • Why did they do that? • farmers know that for most crops, you plant in the spring and

harvest in the fall. But in some regions, there is not much differentiation between the seasons. Since different constellations are visible at different times of the year, you can use them to tell what month it is.

This shows the great hunter Orion. In this one, he is holding a lion's head instead of his traditional bow or shield. He has an

eager look in his eye as he stalks Taurus, the Bull. Behind him,

his faithful dog, Canis Major, is chasing Lepus, the Hare.

http://www.kidscosmos.org/kid-stuff/star-maps.html

Constellations

Big Dipper: Ursa Major

Aquila Ursa Minor

• http://gtm-media.discoveryeducation.com/videos/22512/chp913692_256k.asf

• 2nd video

• http://gtm-media.discoveryeducation.com/videos/22512/chp913689_256k.asf

• 1st video

Signs of the Zodiac

Aries - March 21 - April 20 Taurus - April 21 - May 21 Gemini - May 22 - June 21 Cancer - June 22 - July 22 Leo - July 23 -August 21

Virgo - August 22 - September 23 Libra - September 24 - October 23

Scorpio - October 24 - November 22 Sagittarius - November 23 - December 22

Capricorn - December 23 - January 20 Aquarius - January 21 - February 19

Pisces - February 20- March 20

Symbols of the Zodiac

Symbols of the zodiac and where they are found?

♈ Aries (0°) ♉ Taurus (30°) ♊ Gemini (60°) ♋ Cancer (90°) ♌ Leo (120°)

♍ Virgo (150°) ♎ Libra (180°)

♏ Scorpius (210°) ♐ Sagittarius (240°)

♑ Capricornus (270°) ♒ Aquarius (300°) ♓ Pisces (330°)

Signs of the Zodiac

Constellations

Activitythen Quiz

Quiz

• 1. What is the real purpose of constellations?• 2. In the beginning, who invented constellations, and

why?• 3. Name three constellations that are also signs of the

zodiac.• 4. What is the name of the North Star?• 5. Which constellation has the North Star in it?• 6. What are the three constellations that can be seen in

the Canadian sky all year round?

Quiz Answers

• 1. To help us tell which stars are which.

• 2. Farmers, so they could tell the changing of the seasons for planting.

• 3.• 4. Polaris• 5. The Little Dipper: Ursa Minor• 6. Ursa Minor, Ursa Major, Cassiopeia