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Constellations. What is a constellation?. A pattern, or shape, made by stars in the night sky. Constellations. The pattern constellations form may take the shape of: Animal Mythological creature Man Woman Inanimate object (microscope, compass, crown). How many constellations are there?.
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What is a constellation? • A pattern, or shape, made by stars in the night sky.
Constellations • The pattern constellations form may take the shape of: • Animal • Mythological creature • Man • Woman • Inanimate object (microscope, compass, crown)
How many constellations are there? • 88 major constellations • Named by early astronomers • North Star = Polaris (it’s almost directly over the north pole)
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
Circumpolar Constellations • 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)
FUN FACT!!! • 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.
Uses for Constellations: • 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.