This document discusses constellations and how they appear differently depending on location and culture. It notes that many cultures have identified patterns among the stars to form constellations, with over 88 officially recognized today. Some constellations like the Big Dipper appear differently to different cultures, such as a plough, saucepan, or stretcher. Certain constellations located around the North Star, like the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Northern Cross, appear to circle it and can be seen year-round in the northern sky.

1. CONSTELLATIONS

2. Zenith = point directly over head
How do we locate the stars?
You are here
(90.0 Degrees)
Horizon =
Edge of the sky
And ground
(0 Degrees)

3. Constellation

4. Comparison of Star Sizes

5. Many of the stars form specific patterns, or ________
constellations
How many named constellations are there??
88
Who created the constellations?
_______________ who used them to tell the seasons for
harvest purposes.
Sumerians and Babylonians possibly created them…made
their way to Egypt where Greeks found out about them
Farmers

6. What is an asterism??
An asterism is any pattern formed by a group of
stars that is not one of the official
constellations. Usually an asterism is part of a
larger constellation.
Big Dipper Little Dipper Northern Cross
Big Dipper Ursa Major

7. Does everyone see the same thing??
No….
Let’s use the Big Dipper (part of the Ursa Major)
British call it a plough
Southern France – saucepan
Skidi Pawnee – stretcher with a sick man
Ancient Maya – Seven Macaw
Ancient Maya – Seven Macaw
Hindu – Wise Men
Egyptians – thigh and leg of a bull
Chinese – special chariot for Emperor
Micmac Indians of Canada – bowl of Dipper was a bear
and stars in handle was hunters
Runaway slaves – Drinking Gourd

8. Circumpolar Constellations

9. Some of these never go below the horizon. Instead, they appear to circle
___________, (also called the ___________ or the _________________,
over the course of a night.
This is about a ten hour time
exposure of the northern sky. The
Orion
Polaris North Star Pole Star
exposure of the northern sky. The
arcs are the paths of the stars
circling the North Star (Polaris) in
the center.
These stars can be seen year-round
in the northern sky although their
exact location each night will vary
throughout the year.

10. Other stars appear to move throughout the night from
_____________________________
These are trails of stars that are further
to the south in our night sky. Their
east to west.
to the south in our night sky. Their
trails appear almost straight.
The constellations and the stars that
make them up also appear in different
locations throughout the year.