• Constellations and their stories• Activity on Constellations• Constellation and the nature of scientific

activity

How can constellations convey the nature of scientific knowledge?

1

Constellations and their stories

2

What constellations can you recognize in this night sky?

3

Were you able to recognize some of these constellations?

4

Around the world, one of the most recognized patterns in the night sky is the Big Dipper. However, it cannot be called a constellation. 5

The Big Dipper is an asterism in the constellation URSA MAJOR or THE GREAT BEAR.

6

What are the stories behind their spots in the night sky?

7

Zeus

Kallisto

http://www.rmg.co.uk/stories-of-the-skies/great-bear-little-bear/story/

Zeus fell in love with a human being named Kallisto. When Hera, the wife of Zeus, learned about this love affair, she turned Kallisto into a big bear.

8

As a result, Arktos, the son of Kallisto became orphaned. One day, Arktos was out hunting in the forest. He spotted a big bear. He was about to release his arrow when Zeus suddenly appeared to rescue the bear who happened to be Kallisto, the mother of Arktos.

Arktos

9

Mother and son were reunited at last. To protect them from Hera, Zeus threw them to the sky.

10

Constellation activity

11

Study again this night sky. If you are to create your own constellation, what would it look like? What name would you give it?

12

What patterns do you see?

• Create a constellation using the stars in the map.• Connect the stars of your constellation with lines to form a stick

figure.• Write a short paragraph describing the story or myth behind your

constellation.• Be ready to share these with your classmates. 13

Note that only one kind of star map was given to all. Are there any constellations drawn by your classmate that are similar to yours?

If yes, does it have the same name and story, too?14

Why did your class not come up with a similar star pattern, name, and story?

15

The Big Dipper asterism was created in the same way you invented your own “constellation.” The name of the Big Bear varies in every culture.

16

Different cultures see different figures in the “Big Dipper” asterism

tabo (Philippines) 17

Science is a creative endeavour. It is affected by the social and

cultural values of the group.

18

People around the world belong to different cultures. These people see the night sky in different ways.

Cultural factors such as experiences, way of living, beliefs,

and prior knowledge--even the environment--of people in each group affect the pattern that they see.

As a result, there are different ways of making sense of the star patterns in the sky.

http://redbus2us.com/social-life-%E2%80%93-meeting-new-people-diff-cultures-races-in-america-vs-india/

19

References

Bell, R. (2008). Teaching the nature of science through process skills : activities for grades 3-8. USA: Boston. Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.

NASA / Amazing Space Science Background: Constellation Q&As. Retrieved from amazingspace.stsci.edu/resources/print/classroom_activities/scibkgd_cnstlatn_qa.pdf

Stellarium 0.11.4

Images retrieved from:

http://www.rmg.co.uk/stories-of-the-skies/great-bear-little-bear/story/great-bear-and-little-bear/

20