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Using Constellations

Using Constellations. Find the Big Dipper. Easy!. Find the big dipper now?. Still easy?. Can you spot Polaris?. Is this it?. ??. Polaris is NOT a bright star. NOPE!. Why Big Dipper?. It is fairly easy to recognize

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Using Constellations

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  1. Using Constellations

  2. Find the Big Dipper

  3. Easy!

  4. Find the big dipper now?

  5. Still easy?

  6. Can you spot Polaris?

  7. Is this it? ??

  8. Polaris is NOT a bright star... NOPE!

  9. Why Big Dipper? • It is fairly easy to recognize • It is seen year round in the northern hemisphere – just look to the north! • Astronomers and navigators have been using it to guide the night skies for a long time • It also helps us locate Polaris

  10. What so special about Polaris? • Our Pole Star • It is directly above our North Pole • All stars seem to “go around” Polaris

  11. View of the Stars

  12. Let’s Find Polaris on your map!

  13. Start with Ursa Major

  14. Find the Big Dipper

  15. The Big Dipper is part of Ursa Major

  16. Find the “lip” of the Big Dipper LIP!

  17. It points you to Polaris About 5 times the length of the lip

  18. Easy! POLARIS!

  19. Polaris is the brightest star in Ursa Minor Ursa Minor Polaris Big Dipper

  20. Finding Sirius Sirius is the BRIGHTEST star in the night sky!

  21. Finding the Andromeda Galaxy

  22. Using Constellations • We use constellations to help guide us in the night sky • Do you think astronomers need constellations to find their way in the night sky? • What do modern astronomers use constellations for? Is there even a need?

  23. Asterisms • The Big Dipper is not an official constellation, but rather an asterism. • It is a pattern of (usually the brightest) stars that is easily recognized in the night sky. • It is NOT a smaller pattern within a constellation as our textbook suggests. • Some other examples: • Orion’s Belt • The “W” • Summer Triangle • Winter Triangle • Fish Hook (Scorpious)

  24. Find the Big Dipper

  25. Orion’s Belt

  26. Summer Triangle

  27. Winter Triangle

  28. “W” of Cassiopeia

  29. Fish Hook (Scorpio)

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