Constellations

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Constellations

• By Melissa Hoffman

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Introduction to Constellations

• Some 6,000 years ago poets, astronomers, and
  farmers grouped stars in the sky together. They
  did this with their imaginations to help them
  remember which stars were which.

• The constellations hold different places in the
  sky at different times of the year. By knowing
  these characteristics farmers could plant their
  crops on time. Eventually myths were created to
  help farmers remember all the different
  constellations.

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Different Constellations

• A very well known constellation is Orion. If
  you can see the three bright stars of his belt
  you can soon make out the rest of his image.

• Another popular constellation is the big dipper
  which is right next to the little dipper.

• In the northern hemisphere the constellation
  Scorpios is only found in the summer. So, if
  farmers were going to rely on the sky they would
  know the warmest time of year would be when
  Scorpios is present.

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Where did they come from?

• 1. There is no reason why constellations exist.
• 2. Grouping stars and telling stories about them
  helped farmers remember them and know when to
  plant their crops.
• 3. People found another way to tell stories by
  using stars.
• 4. 6,000 years ago kings had groups of stars
  named after them so part of them could live
  forever.

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Ooops!
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RIGHT!

• Nice job.

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About the Author

• Melissa Hoffman is a student at Western Michigan
  University. She will graduate in April 2007 with
  a bachelors in science.

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Sources
Information http//www.astro.wisc.edu/dolan/cons
tellations/extra/constellations.html Pictures,
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9GdhYOMtbnh140tbnw126prev/images3Fq3Dwron
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