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A CONSTELLATION is a group of STARS that form different shapes and patterns located in OUTER SPACE that have been given a name. Constellations are named after animals, objects, and people in history. Various cultures around the world have different NAMES and numbers for constellations, depending completely on what the person INTERPRETS the constellation to be. The constellations you see depend on your location on
Earth and time of year. According to NASA, which stands for National AERONAUTICS and Space Administration, there are officially 88 RECOGNIZED constellations.
Spell: CONSTELLATION INTERPRETS VARIOUS
What does NASA stand for? NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
A constellation is a group of what? STARS
A constellation is a group of stars in outer space that has been given a what? NAME
The constellations you see depend on your location on what planet? EARTH
Constellations are located where? OUTER SPACE
Constellations form different __________ and___________ in the sky? SHAPES AND PATTERNS
Constellations are typically named after what? ANIMALS, OBJECTS AND PEOPLE IN HISTORY
How many officially recognized constellations are there? 88
Based on the image of the constellation above, what do you interpret this to be?
Of the 88 recognized constellations, there are some that are very WELL-KNOWN around the world. ORION is one of the easiest constellations to spot in the sky because it is the BRIGHTEST constellation. Begin by looking for the THREE bright stars that form the straight line of Orion’s belt constellation. Once Orion is located, it is possible to IDENTIFY other constellations. Additional constellations that can be found after identifying Orion are TAURUS and GEMINI constellations.
Spell: BRIGHT RECOGNIZED IDENTIFY
What is the name of the brightest constellation? ORION
How many stars are in Orion’s belt? 3
After locating Orion, what other constellations can you find? TAURUS AND GEMINI
Do you know your zodiac sign?
Point to the Pisces constellation
ASTRONOMY is the SCIENTIFIC study of everything in outer space. ASTRONOMERS and other scientists study stars and galaxies that are many LIGHT-YEARS away from Earth. Light-years are used to describe the distance between space objects. One light-year is about 6 trillion miles. Stars and constellations stay APPROXIMATELY in the same spot for many years. Because these constellations are in FIXED locations, they are often used as LANDMARKS in the sky. Using fixed constellations to determine one’s location in space is called celestial NAVIGATION.
Spell: DISTANCE FIXED LANDMARKS
What is the scientific study of everything in outer space called?
ASTRONOMY
What kind of years away are stars and galaxies? LIGHT
Astronomers study stars and what? GALAXIES
Constellations are fixed in what? LOCATIONS
Using constellations to determine one’s location in space is called what? NAVIGATION
Using fixed constellations to determine one’s location in space is called what? CELESTIAL NAVIGATION
Who studies stars and galaxies that are many light-years away from Earth? ASTRONOMERS AND OTHER SCIENTISTS,
What else do astronomers study?
How many miles is a light-year? 6 TRILLION
Write out 6 trillion in numerical form
One’s LOCATION on Earth also determines what stars and constellations they can see. The NORTHERN HEMISPHERE is always pointing in a different direction than the SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE. This means that
STARGAZERS in AUSTRALIA, for example, get a slightly different view of the sky and can view different constellations than those in the UNITED STATES. A stargazer in the United States may be able to see the PISCES constellation in the FALL, but an Australian stargazer would not be able to see the same constellation because it is on the other side of the sun.
Spell: EARTH DIRECTION SKY
What constellation can a stargazer in the United States see in the Fall? PISCES
What country, other than the USA, did I mention in this lesson? AUSTRALIA
If I can see the Pisces constellation in the Fall but Australia can not, it is because I am on the other side of what? THE SUN
Why is someone in the Fall living in Australia unable to see the Pisces constellation? LOCATION, OTHER SIDE OF THE SUN
What hemispheres are mentioned in this paragraph? NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN
Which hemisphere are we located in right now?
If you could pick any place in the world to stargaze, where would you choose?
Many other INDIVIDUALS UTILIZED constellations in HISTORY. Some of the
earliest uses of constellations stemmed from AGRICULTURE. Prior to calendars, it was challenging for farmers to recognize when to sow and harvest their crops. Farmers would search for the constellation ORION, which indicated WINTER was coming soon. SAILORS also used constellations to pinpoint their location at sea. Modern-day constellations still serve a relevant purpose for astronomers and ROBOTIC spacecraft.
Spell: HISTORY MODERN HISTORY
Where did some of the earliest use of constellations stem from?
AGRICULTURE
Orion indicates the coming of what season for ancient farmers? WINTER
Who uses constellations? FARMERS, SAILORS, ROBOTICS
Do you think advancements in technology will lead to the discovery of more constellations?
Constellations also play a large part in many CULTURES. In GREEK MYTHOLOGY, constellations were mostly god-favored HEROES and BEASTS that received a PERMANENT place amongst the stars to be commemorated. In ancient CHINA, it was believed that constellations in the sky directly correlated to life EVENTS on Earth. According to the ancient INCAN empire, every ANIMAL had a corresponding constellation that would look after and protect the living CREATURE.
Spell: MYTHOLOGY EVENTS COMMEMORATED
Which ancient empire believed every animal had a corresponding constellation? INCAN
Which ancient country believed constellations in the sky directly correlated to life events on Earth? CHINA
Constellations play a large part in many? CULTURES
According to the Incan empire, every animal has a corresponding living. What? CREATURE
According to Greek Mythology, constellations were mostly named after gods who favored ___________ and __________? HEROES AND BEASTS
Does your culture have any beliefs about constellations?
Creative Writing:
If you could create a newly recognized constellation, what would be its name, and what would it look like?
Source:
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/constellations/en/
