2. A pattern, or shape, made by
stars in the night sky.
WHAT IS A CONSTELLATION?
3. The pattern constellations form may take
the shape of:
Animal
Mythological creature
Man
Woman
Inanimate object (microscope, compass,
crown)
CONSTELLATIONS
4. 88 major constellations
Named by early astronomers
North Star = Polaris (it’s
almost directly over the north
pole)
HOW MANY CONSTELLATIONS ARE THERE?
5. The Zodiac Constellations
-Constellations located within a band that is about 20 degrees
wide in the sky.
- This band is considered special because it is the band where
the Sun, the Moon, and the planets all move.
- There are 13 zodiac constellations:
1.Capricornus 8. Scorpius
2. Aquarius 9. Cancer
3. Pisces 10. Leo
4. Aries 11. Virgo
5. Taurus 12. Libra
6. Gemini 13. Orphiuchus
7. Sagittarius
7. Constellations that appear to move
because Earth is moving.
Rotate around Polaris
Some constellations can only be seen in
certain seasons.
Ex. Orion (we can’t see in the summer
because the northern hemisphere faces
Orion during the day)
CIRCUMPOLAR CONSTELLATIONS
8.
9. If you are on the equator you
can view all the constellations
in a year. If you are on the
North or South Pole, you will
only be able to see the part of
the sky above you.
FUN FACT!!!
26. Constellations help people to recognize stars in the sky. By
looking for patterns, the stars and locations can be much
easier to spot.
The constellations had uses in ancient times. They were
used to help keep track of the calendar. This was very
important so that people knew when to plant and harvest
crops.
Another important use for constellations was navigation. By
finding Ursa Minor it is fairly easy to spot the North Star
(Polaris). Using the height of the North Star in the sky,
navigators could figure out their latitude helping ships to
travel across the oceans.
USES FOR CONSTELLATIONS:
