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Motions: Western Constellations

Motions: Western Constellations. Iamotions pg 37. Constellations and Asterisms. There are 88 recognized constellations IAU Most are based on Greek mythology The Big Dipper is *NOT* a constellation. It is a combination of stars within constellation These are called asterisms

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Motions: Western Constellations

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  1. Motions: Western Constellations Iamotions pg 37

  2. Constellations and Asterisms • There are 88 recognized constellations • IAU • Most are based on Greek mythology • The Big Dipper is *NOT* a constellation. • It is a combination of stars within constellation • These are called asterisms • The little dipper is an asterism too

  3. Greek Mythology • With less pollution, more stars were visible to the naked eye • Constellations looked more like their namesakes • The motions of the constellations were used to explain and enhance their most popular stories

  4. Hydra • Longest and Largest Constellation • 9 headed snake • Slain by Hercules • Covers over 3% of the sky

  5. Draco • Wraps around the little dipper • Circumpolar – can be seen from anywhere in the northern hemisphere • Slain by Hercules

  6. Centaurus • Greatest number of stars – 101 • Chiron – wise centaur • Wounded by Hercules

  7. Leo the Lion • Slain by Hercules • (sensing a trend here?)

  8. Hercules (Heracles) • Greatest of Greek Heroes • Figured prominently in many stories • Strong but not very bright

  9. Orion • Large, Easy to Find • On the celestial equator • Can be seen from all over the globe • It is a winter constellation in the northern hemisphere • Contains the asterism “the belt of Orion” • Also known as “the three kings” • Sword contains the Orion Nebula

  10. Scorpio (Scorpius) • Associated with Orion the hunter through legend • Also located near the celestial equator • Summer constellation in northern hemisphere • Orion and Scorpio “trade places”

  11. Ursa Major and Ursa Minor Ursa Major Ursa Minor

  12. Ursa Major and Minor

  13. Southern Cross Southern Cross (Crux) Australian Flag

  14. The Plane of the Ecliptic • Solar System like a disc • Sun and Planets follow a line through the sky • The constellations that they pass through are the astrological “signs"

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