CONSTELLATIONS

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CONSTELLATIONS
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The Connection
Constellation Education
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What did the ancient people use stars (patterns
of stars) for?

• Navigation sailing, travel
• Seasons when to plant and harvest
• Preserve myths, traditions, etc
• Group the brighter stars into patterns, -
  constellations

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Patterns of stars
Boundaries
http//www.astro.virginia.edu/class/oconnell/astr1
30/im/
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Constellation

• One of the 88 named Regions of sky defined by the
  International Astronomical Union (IAU)
• Identified with the officially recognized
  Patterns of Stars that lie within the boundaries
  of the region

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What are the 88 Constellations?

• 14 men and women
• 9 birds
• 19 land animals
• 2 insects
• 10 water creatures
• 2 centaurs
• 1 head of hair
• 1 serpent
• 1 dragon
• 1 flying horse
• 1 river
• 29 inanimate objects, include scientific
  instruments (Microscopium, Telescopium)

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ORION
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CANIS MAJOR
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CYGNUS
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LEO MAJOR
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TAURUS
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AQUILA
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BOOTES
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SCORPIO
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CASSIOPEIA
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Asterism

• A generally recognized smaller/cuter pattern of
  stars that is not one of the officially
  recognized constellations
• Whether or not a region of sky is named after it
  yes constellation no asterism

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What are Circumpolar Constellations?
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Circumpolar Constellations

• A Constellation that NEVER rises or sets as seen
  at a certain latitude
• Six circumpolar constellations seen in Pasco (28º
  N, 82º W)
• Ursa Major Larger Bear
• Ursa Minor Smaller bear
• Cassiopeia Queen
• Cepheus King
• Draco Dragon
• Camelopardalis The Giraffe

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Circumpolar Constellations in Pasco
Cassiopeia
Ursa Major
Ursa Minor
Draco
Cepheus
Camelopardalis

• www.acmecompany.com

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Constellation Resources

• Workshop CD
• Websites
• http//earth.google.com./sky
• http//www.astro.wisc.edu/dolan/constellations/
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constellation
• http//amazing-space.stsci.edu
• Especially http//amazing-space.stsci.edu/tonights
  _sky/index.php
• http//www.synapticsystems.com/sky/learnsky.html
• Books
• Constellations Dot-To-Dot
• Astronomy More (StarLab Manual)