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Notes #2

Notes #2. Knowing the Heavens. What is this chapter about?. Looking into the night sky. Describing the sky. Why does it matter?. Describing the sky. Constellations. Groups of stars 88 Constellations. Importance to Ancient Civilizations.

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Notes #2

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  1. Notes #2 Knowing the Heavens

  2. What is this chapter about? • Looking into the night sky. • Describing the sky. • Why does it matter?

  3. Describing the sky

  4. Constellations • Groups of stars • 88 Constellations

  5. Importance to Ancient Civilizations • Arab / Islamic, Inca, Indian, Native American, British, Egyptian, Chinese, Mesopotamian • time of day • Seasons • Navigation • Religion • Climate patterns • Calendar • Affected daily human life

  6. Why are the relevant today? • bring order to the sky by dividing it into smaller segments • provides a base for naming celestial objects

  7. Naming Constellations • Patterns / shapes from Greek / Roman mythology • Arabic names - widely studied in Islamic Nations • Greek alphabet letters starting with brightest stars.

  8. HW#7: Research a Star • Name: Vega / "Alpha of Lyra," or "Alpha Lyrae.” • Meaning of Name: loose transliteration of the Arabic word wāqi‘ meaning "falling" or "landing", via the phrase an-nasr al-wāqi‘ "the alighting vulture". • represented as a vulture in ancient Egypt and as an eagle or vulture in ancient India. • Constellation: Brightest star in Lyra Constallation • Mythology of Constellation: • Lyra is lyre in Latin. It belonged to Orpheus in Greek mythology. He played his lyre so beautifully he was able to entrance people, gods, even inanimate objects. He insulted Dionysus (god of celebration / wine) and his followers tore him apart. Zeus had his lyre retrieved by an eagle and placed in the heavens.

  9. Celestial Sphere • Useful for identification • Sphere surrounding Earth

  10. Seasons • Ecliptic • Path of sun across sky • 23.5 degree tilt • Caused by amount of direct solar rays hitting Earth depending on tilt

  11. Precession • “wobble” of axis • Zodiac • Constellations that follow the ecliptic • s

  12. Calendar

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