Name _____________________________________________________________
Constellations Workbook
THE STARS OF AUTUMN
Copyright © 1997 by Bob Martino - All rights reserved; www.perkins-observatory.org
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After completing the Constellations Unit, you should pass the following standards with a 3-Level or higher proficiency. Standard Description Passed
SciBer Text Understand and use selected unit vocabulary.
IV.2.a Know stars are grouped into constellations.
IV.2.b Know constellations have been around for thousands of years.
IV.2.c Know the stars in a constellation are different distances from Earth.
IV.2.d Know we see different constellations throughout the year.
IV.2.d Know we see different constellations throughout an evening.
IV.2.e Know constellations were used for calendars and navigation.
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About Constellations (modified from a NASA/Amazing Space Student Background Reading)
Look up at the sky on a clear night. You see patterns of bright stars. Close your eyes and think about the shapes of these patterns. Ancient astronomers imagined they saw people, animals, and heroes in the sky. They called them constellations. Constellation Myths Constellation myths are stories that tell us why the constellation is there. All people crated myths about their constellations. The stories were part of their religions. They explained everyday things. These stories usually have a hero. The hero was placed in the sky as a reward. The constellations in the Southern Hemisphere are modern. Explorers made and named these constellations. They don’t have myths. . Constellations and the Star Patterns They’re Based On There are 88 constellations. A pattern identifies each constellation. The stars in the constellation may appear close to each other. They are really far apart.
Often, the constellation doesn’t look like its name. Look at Orion. It doesn’t look like a person. The ancients were creative when they made the constellations. The History of Constellations Many constellations come from the Greeks. Historians think the
Babylonians and Sumerians invented other constellations. The Greeks learned the constellations from them. Arabs learned from the Greeks. Greeks named their stars where they were found in a constellation. The Arabs named individual stars. Later, the Romans translated Arabic writings into Latin. We now have Arabic names (Zubenelgenubi) for stars in Greek constellations with Latin names! Original Uses for the Constellations Ancient farmers used the stars as calendars. Some constellations can be seen at certain times of the year. When they saw them, farmers knew the month or season. Constellation myths helped farmers remember the constellations.
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Stars are used for to find direction. Travelers have used the North Star, Polaris, to find their way. Polaris is at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle. Because the Earth rotates, the stars appear to move. Polaris is above the North Pole. It doesn’t appear to move.
Constellations and the World’s Cultures
Many people created constellations. They are always different. One of the patterns that has been recognized is the asterism1, the Big Dipper. In southern France, it is called a “saucepan.” In Britain, it’s the “plough.” The Mayans called it Seven Macaw, a parrot. Runaway slaves called it the “drinking gourd.” They followed it north to freedom. The Big Dipper became a symbol of freedom.
About Constellations Student Reading Worksheet 1. What is a pattern in the sky? _________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What are constellation myths? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 3. How many constellations are there? _________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Are the stars in a constellation near to each other? Are they far away? _________________________________________________________________________________ 5. How did farmers use constellations? _________________________________________________________________________________
1 An “asterism” is a group of stars in a constellation that make a separate “constellation.” The Big Dipper is part of the Great Bear.
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_________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Travelers rely on the _____________________________ to guide them. 7. List other names for the Big Dipper. a. b. c. d. e. f. 8. Why was the “drinking gourd” important? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 9. How could you use constellations? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________
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Constellation Detective
(Modified from a lesson plan by Erica Howson)
Have you ever tried to find constellations in the evening sky? The star maps help you find constellations. Using the maps, find the following constellations: Big Dipper and Orion. Here are your constellations:
Constellation Star Map # Big Dipper
Orion
1 2
3
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Constellations I Should Know Everybody should be able to go outside and recognize a few constellations. Here are some you should know.
Season: Winter Orion, the Hunter Write the Orion Myth. _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ How do you find Orion? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ What are its brightest stars? __________________________________________________________________
Season: Summer Scorpius, the Scorpion Write the Scorpius Myth. _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ How do you Find Scorpius? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ What are its brightest stars? __________________________________________________________________
Season: Fall Aquila, the Eagle Write the Aquila Myth.
______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ How do you find Aquila? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ What are its brightest stars? __________________________________________________________________
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Constellations I Should Know Fact Sheet (Information in this section comes from The Constellations (Richard Dibon-Smith, http://www.dibonsmith.com/menu.htm) and eHow,
(http://www.ehow.com)) Orion, the Hunter Facts Myth Orion was the son of Poseidon. Orion was so tall that he could walk across the bottom of the sea. His head would be above the water. His father Poseidon gave him the power to walk on the surface of the water. In the sky, Orion carries club. In his other hand, he holds the hide of a lion. The sting of a Scorpion killed Orion. Some say that the Scorpion was sent by the Goddess of the Earth. Others say it was Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt, who sent the Scorpion to kill Orion. Orion hunted all the animals on earth. When you see Orion, you don’t see the scorpion. How to Find Orion Finding Orion is easy. Look for the three stars which form Orion’s belt. Bright Stars Betelgeuse is the right arm of Orion. It is a red star. Rigel is Orion’s right foot. It is about 40,000 times brighter than the Sun. Rigel means "foot." Scorpius, the Scorpion The Myth The Earth goddess may have sent the scorpion to kill Orion. He promised to kill all the animals. Or Apollo might have told Gaia of Orion's claim. The scorpion chases Orion across the sky. It will never catch him. The scorpion is seen in the summer. Orion is seen in the winter. How to Find Scorpius In the summer, look towards the south. Scorpius lies in the Milky Way. You can see its stars in Scorpius. Look for the red star Antares. It is the heart of Scorpius. Bright Stars Antares is what a red giant star is. It is larger than the Sun. Antares means “rival of Mars.” It looks red like the planet Mars.
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Aquila, the Eagle The Myth Hebe was the goddess of youth. She poured wine during ceremonies. She quit after she got married. Zeus looked for someone else. Trojan Prince Ganymede was Zeus's choice. Zeus sent his Royal Eagle to get Ganymede. He was taken to Mount Olympus. He became the wine-pourer for the gods. Eventually Zeus put Ganymede's image in the skies. He is Aquarius, the water bearer. . How to Find Aquila
Altair is easy to find. It is by two faint stars. There are three stars in a row. This is the head and beak of Aquila. Bright Stars Altair is the brightest star in the constellations. Altair, Deneb and Vega form the well-known Summer Triangle.
Why Do We See Different Constellations During the Year? Through the year, constellations move to the west. If observed through the year, the constellations shift gradually to the west. This is caused by Earth’s revolution around the Sun. In the summer, viewers are looking in a different direction in space at night than they are during the winter.
Constellation “Think” Questions (from Constellations for Every Kid by Janice VanCleave)
1. Look at the picture. In what constellation would you see the Sun? __________________________________________________________
2. Look at the picture. In what constellation would you see the Sun? ______________________________________________
1
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3. Look carefully at the picture.
a. In what constellation would you see the Sun if it were in Position D? ____________________________________________________________________________ b. In what constellation would you see the Sun if it were in Position A? ____________________________________________________________________________ c. In what constellation would you see the Sun if it were in Position B? ____________________________________________________________________________ d. In what constellation would you see the Sun if it were in Position C? ____________________________________________________________________________
Making a Star Finder Step 1: Cut along the black outer circle of the Star Wheel and along the solid lines on the Star Wheel Holder. Remove the interior oval shape on the Star Wheel Holder. Step 2: On the Star Wheel Holder, fold the cardboard along the dashed lines. Step 3: Tape or staple along the edges of the Star Wheel Holder forming a pocket. Step 4: Place the Star Wheel in the Star Wheel Holder.
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How to Use the Sky Wheel To find a constellation in the sky using the Star Wheel, follow these steps: 1. Set date and time of night: Rotate the Star Wheel in the Star Holder until your desired time of night lines up with the desired date. 2. View it right-side up. For the constellation, you want to find, note which horizon to which it is closest. Orient the Star Wheel Holder so that horizon is at the bottom. Then that part of the sky will look right-side up to you. For example, if your constellation is closest to the northern horizon, flip the Star Holder upside down so that you are reading northern horizon at the bottom of the oval. 3. Note how high the constellation is in the sky: Is the constellation closer to the zenith (center of the map) or closer to the horizon? 4. Memorize the shape of the constellation. 5. Then look for the constellation in the sky and find it!
Use your Star Finder. List two constellations that can be seen during a season.
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Autumn a. b. Winter a. b.
Spring
a. b. Summer a. b.
Coyote and the Stars (Mythology of the Stars)
As the weather warms, we begin spending more time outside. Those who enjoy the night sky can see the many of stars. It’s an amazing experience. It stirs something within us. We have always wondered the hows and whys of the heavens. Our ancestors also wondered. They told stories explaining the heavens. One story comes from the Navajo tribe. It explains where the stars came from. A long time ago, before the two leggeds walked on Earth, the world was very different. In the beginning, there were no stars in the night sky. There was no moon. The nights were very dark. Animals could not see to walk around. They were always bumping into each other. Finally, they decided to go ask the Great Spirit for help. The animals gathered and talked to Great Spirit. They told Great Spirit that they were grateful for all they had. But, they wanted something else. They would like to be able to see at night. Great Spirit nodded and smiled. He told the animals "watch me,
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little ones." He then picked up a bright shiny stone from a stream. He placed it in the sky. It became a star. "This is the home star," Great Spirit explained. "It does not move. Use it to find your way home when you are lost" (Note, this star is Polaris, the North Star.) The Great Spirit told the animals to collect more shiny stones. Then carry them into the sky. Make pictures of yourselves. The animals began this task. Soon the little animals grew tired. Then, the bigger animals grew tired. Back they went to Great Spirit. They asked for more help. "Go to Coyote," Great Spirit said. “Tell him to help you." And so they did. Coyote thought he was the wisest and cleverest of all the animals. He did not want to waste his time helping the other animals. He also did not want to offend Great Spirit. Coyote told the animals to leave their stones with him. He would finish the job for them. After the animals left, Coyote began thinking of what a grand picture of himself he would create in the sky. “It will be better than all the others," he thought. “It will have the most stones. It will be the brightest of all!” Suddenly Coyote was reminded that he must finish the animals work. Coyote did not want to waste a lot of time finishing the pictures of the other animals. He grabbed
up the bag of stones. Coyote threw them into the air. The stones went all over. None of the stones really finish the pictures of the other animals. That is why not all constellations appear finished. That is why some do not look like what they are named after. Coyote was punished for his deceit. He forgot to save stones for his own picture! Coyote was angry. He howled with rage. That is why Coyote howls at night now. He cannot see his picture in the night sky!
The story ends here.
Modified from a 2001 story by Kathy A. Miles and Charles F. Peters II Questions 1. What was the night sky like in the beginning? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
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2. What did the animals ask the Creator? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 3. What did the Creator offer to the animals? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 4. What did the animals do? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 5. What was asked of Coyote? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 6. What did Coyote do? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 7. What happened to Coyote? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 8. Why do coyotes howl at the night sky? __________________________________________________________________
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Constellation___________________________ (Latin Name)
Nickname _____________________________ Myth _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ I can see my constellation (which month): __________________________________________________________________ Three interesting facts about my constellation: a. b. c.
Drawing of My Constellation
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Should Uncle Fred Be in the Sky??? (modified from an activity by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and PBS Seeing in the Dark) Ancient cultures named the patterns of bright stars in the sky after their mythological heroes and monsters. Different countries and ethnic groups had completely different stories to tell about the same groups of stars. For example, the seven stars we call the Big Dipper were seen as a plow in England, as a stretcher with a sick patient by the Skidi Pawnee tribe of North America, and as seven Watchmen guarding the pole of the sky in Siberia. What if we could start over and rename the constellations (the star patterns) today? Who are the heroes we would now put in the sky? If you were making constellations today, whom would you put in the sky? Would it be your mother or father? An aunt or cousin? Someone famous? A character from your favorite book? Your assignment is to create a hero constellation. Outline the object by drawing 10-15 stars on the grid paper. Once you have completed your constellation, using sticky stars (keep use to no more than 15!), outline your constellation on a black sheet of construction paper. Connect the stars with a white crayon. Write the name of your constellation (your hero’s name) on the bottom. ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER, explain why you selected this person to be your hero and put them in the sky. Be prepared to present this information to the class.
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Star Clocks & Dipper Finders
Using your Dipper Finder, draw the correct picture in each circle.
In the circle, draw a picture of the Big Dipper and Polaris in July at 10 p.m.
In the circle, draw a picture of the Big Dipper and Polaris in December at 9 p.m.
In the circle, draw a picture of the Big Dipper and Polaris in May at 1 a.m.
In the circle, draw a picture of the Big Dipper and Polaris in November at 10 p.m.
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Using your Star Clock, draw the correct picture in each circle.
In the circle, draw a picture of the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Cassiopeia in April at 3 a.m.
In the circle, draw a picture of the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Cassiopeia in September at 10 p.m.
In the circle, draw a picture of the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Cassiopeia in June at 2 a.m.
In the circle, draw a picture of the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Cassiopeia in January at 9 p.m.
Star Distances When you look at constellations, they all appear as if they are the same distance from Earth. That is because stars are so far away, we can’t tell which stars are close and are far away. We will use the constellation of Orion as our example.
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Below is a picture of Orion that shows the distance (light years – Ly.) to some major stars in the constellation. One the diagram on the next page, place a dot that shows how far away that star is from Earth. When you are done, you will see that, even though the stars appear to be the same distance, they are different distances away from Earth.
We know that light travels 186,000 miles per second. Let’s say that a 1 cm string equals the distance light travels in one second. If it takes about 8 minutes for light from the sun to reach us, how long would the string be? (480 cm) The light from the next nearest star takes 4½ years to reach us. How long would that string be? (141,912,000 cm) Materials
7 Beads
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150 cm of Thread Cardstock Ruler Scissors Pushpin Tape
Procedure 1. Get a copy of Orion on cardstock. 2. Get your string and beads. Tie a bead on the end of the string. 3. Using a pushpin, make a hole big enough for the thread at the location of the seven-labeled stars. 4. From the bead on the thread measure 15 cm long (Betelgeuse) and cut the thread. Thread the end through the star labeled 522 light years (ly) until 1 cm is on the backside of the cardstock. Tape the 1 cm piece of string securely on the back. 5. Use the measurements below to cut the remaining threads to the appropriate lengths and attach them to the cardstock using 1 cm of string on the back.
243 light years (ly) – 18 cm 815 light years – 12 cm 817 light years (ly) – 12 cm 773 light years – 13 cm 1,342 light years (ly) – 7 m 916 light years (ly) – 11 cm
6. Hold the model above your head to see the relative distance from the earth of each star.
Straw Stars (Modified from a lesson plan from Sky Tellers – Star Darts, Lunar and Planetary Institute)
Materials
Paint Non-bendable straws Star template Q-tip™ Scissors A pencil Glue Double-sided tape Butcher paper for drawings
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Colored markers or paints Images of constellations
Safety Concerns: Scissors. Discuss safe and proper use of scissors. Procedures 1. Cut out seven cardstock stars from the template. Paint your seven stars. 2. Cut the straws into the following lengths:
9”
3.7”
5”
3.4”
4”
4.4”
4.4” Make five ½” cuts in both ends of each straw. Bend the sections back until all the sections are splayed to form bases at either end.
3. Tape a star to the splays on one end of the straw. 4. Using the table below, glue your “straw stars” to the Big Dipper template.
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Star Length Light Years
Alkaid 9” 210
Alioth 3.7” 70
Dubhe 5” 105
Megrez 3.4” 65
Merak 4” 80
Mizar 4.4” 88
Phecda (Phad) 4.4” 90 5. Explain how this activity demonstrates that the stars we see in a constellation are at different distances from Earth. _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________
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