6C Winter Constellations 6C Winter Constellations Objectives Objectives List the six winter List the six winter constellations we will discuss. constellations we will discuss. Describe each in terms of: Describe each in terms of: Location Location How to locate each constellation How to locate each constellation using Orion using Orion Important stars or other deep Important stars or other deep space objects contained in each space objects contained in each constellation constellation Mythological Story Mythological Story
List the six winter constellations we List the six winter constellations we will discuss.will discuss.
Describe each in terms of:Describe each in terms of:LocationLocation
How to locate each constellation using OrionHow to locate each constellation using Orion Important stars or other deep space Important stars or other deep space
objects contained in each constellation objects contained in each constellation Mythological StoryMythological Story
Winter Winter ConstellationsConstellations
Winter ConstellationsWinter Constellations
There are several constellations that can be There are several constellations that can be classified as Winter constellations.classified as Winter constellations.
Seasonal constellations are any Seasonal constellations are any constellation that is far enough away from constellation that is far enough away from the pole star to rise and setthe pole star to rise and set
Because it can rise and set, it will also vary Because it can rise and set, it will also vary in its location in the sky relative to the in its location in the sky relative to the seasonsseasonsBecause our axial tilt changes throughout Because our axial tilt changes throughout
the year, the location in the celestial the year, the location in the celestial sphere where we find a certain sphere where we find a certain constellation will change tooconstellation will change too
Winter ConstellationsWinter Constellations
Winter constellations reach their Winter constellations reach their highest points in the sky during the highest points in the sky during the winter monthswinter months
So the best time to view them is So the best time to view them is during the winterduring the winter
That’s why they are called “Winter That’s why they are called “Winter Constellations”Constellations”
constellations Part of Winter Triangle & Winter Hexagon Contains many notable stars Contains several nebulae including Orion’s
nebula
OrionOrion
Orion, the Hunter, is by far the most Orion, the Hunter, is by far the most famous seasonal constellationfamous seasonal constellation
No other is more distinct or bright as No other is more distinct or bright as this northern winter constellation this northern winter constellation
The famous Orion's Belt makes the The famous Orion's Belt makes the hunter easy to find in the night skyhunter easy to find in the night sky
Orion looks very much like a personOrion looks very much like a person
OrionOrion
First, you should spot Orion's Belt, which is made of three bright stars in a straight lineMintakaAlnilamAlnitak
OrionOrion
One of Orion's legs is represented by One of Orion's legs is represented by the bright star Rigel (blue the bright star Rigel (blue supergiant), one of the brightest supergiant), one of the brightest stars in the night skystars in the night sky
His two shoulders are made of the His two shoulders are made of the stars Bellatrix (blue giant) and stars Bellatrix (blue giant) and Betelgeuse (red supergiant)Betelgeuse (red supergiant)
Hanging from his belt is his sword. Hanging from his belt is his sword. Near the sword you can find the Near the sword you can find the Orion NebulaOrion Nebula
OrionOrion Orion was a famed hunter, and in one story Orion was a famed hunter, and in one story
boasted that no creature could kill him. Hera boasted that no creature could kill him. Hera then sent a scorpion (Scorpius) to sting the then sent a scorpion (Scorpius) to sting the hunter. Orion smashed the animal with his hunter. Orion smashed the animal with his club, but not before he was poisoned. club, but not before he was poisoned. Both are now constellations on opposite Both are now constellations on opposite
sides of the sky. sides of the sky. Myths say that the gods put them on Myths say that the gods put them on
opposite sides of the skies so they could opposite sides of the skies so they could no longer harm each otherno longer harm each other
Orion hunted Lepus and TaurusOrion hunted Lepus and Taurus
OrionOrion
OrionOrion
Canis MajorCanis Major
Name : Canis Major (CMa) Translation
The DogThe Great Dog
Family : Orion Contains Sirius – The Dog Star Part of the Winter Triangle & Winter
Hexagon
Canis MajorCanis Major
In Greek myth, it is said that this In Greek myth, it is said that this constellation, along with Canis Minor, constellation, along with Canis Minor, were Orion's hunting dogs were Orion's hunting dogs
Canis Major was one of the most Canis Major was one of the most important constellations in ancient important constellations in ancient times because the brightest star in times because the brightest star in the sky is part of itthe sky is part of it
Canis MajorCanis Major
Sirius, the Dog Star, is one of the brightest objects in the night sky
Only the Moon, Venus, Jupiter and Mars are brighter
Canis MajorCanis Major
Those that lived near the Nile River used the Dog Star to signal the flooding of the Nile
This special occasion represented the return from the dead of the Sun god Osiris
Canis MajorCanis Major Canis Major is very easy to find during the months of November through March
First locate Orion the Hunter, and imagine a straight line through his belt
From Mintaka to Alnitak Follow the line and you will
see Sirius perched right below the line
Sirius is the nose of the dog. His body stretches to the southeast, and his front leg is to the west of Sirius
CanisCanisMajorMajor
CanisCanisMinorMinor
Canis MinorCanis Minor
Name : Canis Minor (CMi) Translation
The Lesser Dog Family : Orion Contains the star ProcyonContains the star Procyon Part of the Winter Triangle & Winter Part of the Winter Triangle & Winter
HexagonHexagon
Canis MinorCanis Minor
The second of Orion’s hunting dogsThe second of Orion’s hunting dogsThe brightest star in Canis Minor is The brightest star in Canis Minor is
Procyon.Procyon.
Canis MinorCanis Minor To find the constellation To find the constellation
Canis Minor, locate the Canis Minor, locate the two brightest stars at the two brightest stars at the top of Orion, Betelgeuse top of Orion, Betelgeuse and Bellatrix. and Bellatrix.
Connect a line from Connect a line from Bellatrix through Bellatrix through Betelgeuse.Betelgeuse.
Continuing this line will Continuing this line will lead you to Canis Minor. lead you to Canis Minor.
Canis Minor is a small Canis Minor is a small constellation. Its constellation. Its brightest star is Procyon. brightest star is Procyon.
Procyon is the eighth Procyon is the eighth brightest star in the night brightest star in the night sky. sky.
CanisCanisMajorMajor
CanisCanisMinorMinor
TaurusTaurus
Name : Taurus (Tau) Translation
The Bull Family : Zodiac It passes through the sky from November
through March Notable Star: Aldebaran Part of Winter Hexagon Contains Hyades & Pleiades star clusters Contains Crab Nebula
TaurusTaurus
Taurus is a distinctive constellation, with star-tipped horns and a head defined by a V-shaped group of stars
Two Greek bull-myths were associated with Taurus.
TaurusTaurus
Zeus disguised himself as a bull to get near to Europa. His bull form was very attractive being white as snow with horns that shone like polished metal
Europa adorned his horns with flowers and was entranced with him.
The bull lay on the golden sands and Europa ventured to sit on his back.
TaurusTaurus
At first, she feared nothing when the bull At first, she feared nothing when the bull went into the water. But she became went into the water. But she became alarmed when it began to swim strongly alarmed when it began to swim strongly out to sea. Europa looked around in out to sea. Europa looked around in dismay at the receding shoreline and dismay at the receding shoreline and clung tightly to the bull’s horns as waves clung tightly to the bull’s horns as waves washed over the bull’s back. Craftily, Zeus washed over the bull’s back. Craftily, Zeus the bull dipped more deeply into the water the bull dipped more deeply into the water to make her hold him more tightly still. to make her hold him more tightly still.
TaurusTaurus
By now, Europa had realized that this was no ordinary bull. Eventually, the bull waded ashore at Crete, where Zeus revealed his true identity and seduced Europa. He gave her presents that included a dog that later became the constellation Canis Major. The offspring of Zeus and Europa included Minos, king of Crete, who established the famous palace at Knossos where bull games were held.
TaurusTaurus Locating Taurus Use Orion’s belt Draw a line pointing
the opposite direction from Canis Major
From Alnitak to Mintaka
Follow this line and Aldebaran will be just above it
Taurus is The Bull Aldebaran is the Bull’s
Eye
AurigaAuriga
Name : Auriga (Aur) Translation
The Charioteer Family : Perseus Notable Star : Capella Galactic Anticenter Part of Winter Hexagon
AurigaAuriga
To locate Auriga:Draw a line from
Saiph to Alnitak That line will point
to Capella, the brightest star in Auriga
CapellaCapella The bright star Capella
also has some legend about it. It is reputed to represent the goat that suckled Jupiter. At some point Jupiter accidentally broke off a horn. Jupiter made this piece of horn magical in that it could be filled with whatever the possessor wished for. It was given the name Cornucopia, or "horn of plenty."
AurigaAuriga
In one Greek legend, Auriga represents Erichthonius, a King of Athens and the son of Vulcan and Minerva. Auriga was deformed and his difficulty in walking led him to invent the four horse chariot. This invention brought him a place of honor in the sky
In another legend, Auriga was the son of Mercury. He trained chariot horses and his animals were said to be the fastest there were
GeminiGemini
Name : Gemini (Gem) Translation
The TwinsCastor & PolluxSons of Zeus
Family : Zodiac One of the original 48 ancient
constellations
Gemini Gemini
Zeus had yet another illicit affairZeus seduced Leda, Queen of Sparta
In form of a swan (Cygnus)That same night she slept with her
husband tooBoth unions were fruitful
Two sets of twins (one set of twins from her husband and one set of twins from Zeus)
Gemini Gemini
Zeus being immortalZeus being immortalHis twins were immortalHis twins were immortalPollux & Helen (of Troy)Pollux & Helen (of Troy)
Her Husband being mortalHer Husband being mortalHis twins were mortalHis twins were mortalCastor & ClyemnestraCastor & Clyemnestra
Castor & Pollux were the best of Castor & Pollux were the best of friendsfriends
They joined Jason and the ArgonautsThey joined Jason and the ArgonautsSailorsSailors
Gemini Gemini Pollux beat the son of Poseidon in a Pollux beat the son of Poseidon in a
boxing match boxing match Castor & Pollux both saved the Castor & Pollux both saved the
Argonauts crew many times while on Argonauts crew many times while on their voyages at seatheir voyages at sea
Myth says that they were given the Myth says that they were given the power, by Poseidon, to save power, by Poseidon, to save shipwrecked sailorsshipwrecked sailors
The twins have been the patron The twins have been the patron saints of sailors ever sincesaints of sailors ever since
GeminiGeminiTo locate Gemini:To locate Gemini:Draw a line from Draw a line from
Rigel through Rigel through Betelgeuse (green)Betelgeuse (green)
This will point This will point roughly to Castor roughly to Castor and Polluxand Pollux
Two main star clusters that are notable Two main star clusters that are notable in the constellation Taurusin the constellation TaurusHyadesHyadesPleiadesPleiades
Hyades were sisters of the PleiadesHyades were sisters of the PleiadesKnown as the Rainy starsKnown as the Rainy starsMake up a V-shaped in the face of the bullMake up a V-shaped in the face of the bull
Pleiades were another group of sistersPleiades were another group of sistersKnown as The Maidens or Sailing StarsKnown as The Maidens or Sailing Stars
The Pleiades Star ClusterThe Pleiades Star Cluster
Located in constellation TaurusLocated in constellation TaurusOne of the nearest star clusters to One of the nearest star clusters to
EarthEarthApproximately 8 ly away from the coreApproximately 8 ly away from the coreCan be seen with the naked eyeCan be seen with the naked eyeContains over 1000 confirmed Contains over 1000 confirmed
membersmembersDoes not include unresolved binarysDoes not include unresolved binarys
The Pleiades Star ClusterThe Pleiades Star Cluster
Nine brightest stars are named for Nine brightest stars are named for the Seven Sisters in Greek mythologythe Seven Sisters in Greek mythologySterope, Merope, Electra, Maia, Taygete, Sterope, Merope, Electra, Maia, Taygete,
Celaeno, AlcyoneCelaeno, AlcyoneAnd their parentsAnd their parents
Atlas and PleioneAtlas and Pleione
The Pleiades Star ClusterThe Pleiades Star Cluster
Atlas (father) was forced to carry the Atlas (father) was forced to carry the heavens on his shouldersheavens on his shoulders
Orion began to pursue all the Orion began to pursue all the PleiadesPleiades
He turned them into dovesHe turned them into dovesThen turned them into stars to Then turned them into stars to
comfort their fathercomfort their father
Labeling Winter ConstellationsLabel all 5 Winter Constellations & Stars
