Starry, Starry Night

Learning Outcomes

Pupils will be able to:

• state what constellation is
• identify constellations
• state the importance of constellations

What are constellations?

Constellations are a group of stars that seem to resemble something familiar to those who named them. They are not real objects but are just patterns that we see in the sky. Constellations have imaginary boundaries formed by connecting the stars. All of the stars within those boundaries are labelled with the name of that constellation.

Importance of Constellations

1) Farmers         - to remind them of planting and harvesting seasons.

2) Astronomers - to map the sky. 
3) Explorers      - for navigation and determine the direction 
                            especially on the ocean.

Examples of Constellations

  

 1) Southern Cross

Is a well known cross-shaped southern hemisphere constellation.
Southern Cross shows the south pole.


2) Big Dipper

Big Dipper is a group of seven bright stars
that forms a pattern of a handle and bowl.
Big Dipper shows the North Pole.

*Big Dipper and Southern Cross can be seen between April and June.

3) Scorpion

Scorpion contains many bright stars. 

The brighest star in Scorpion is Antares.

It can be seem clearly with its head, long body, tail

and stinger between June and August.

4) Orion

Orion can be seen clearly as a hunter with a belt and sword 

between December and February.