Module 6

Constellations
Constellatio
n is a group of stars that appears to form a
pattern or picture.

International Astronomical Union (IAU) defined

constellations as boundaries in the sky to aid
determining locations of newly discovered
astronomical objects.
Asterism
a prominent pattern or group of stars,
typically having a popular name but smaller than
a constellation.
Examples: Big dipper and Orion Belt
Take Note!
As of today, we have 88 constellations that
astronomers studied and most of these stars are
based on Greek groups and there are also 48
accredited constellations recorded in Ptolemy's
almagest.
Star trail is a type of photograph that utilizes long
exposure times to capture the apparent motion of
stars in the night sky due to the rotation of the
Earth.
 Why do stars appear to move in the sky?
This is because Earth rotates on its axis, thus the
stars appear to move across the night sky from
east to west, and the sun seems to rise in the east
and set in the west.
Polaris
 Is commonly known as the North Star.
 It is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa
Minor (Little Dipper).
 It is very close to the north celestial pole,
making it the current norther pole star

Take Note!
Stars that are around a celestial pole are
called circumpolar stars forming
recognizable patterns known as circumpolar
constellations.
Circumpolar stars
Circumpolar stars always reside above the
horizon, and for that reason, never rise nor set. All
the stars at the Earth’s North Pole and South Pole
are circumpolar.
The northern circumpolar
constellations

Ursa Ursa Minor

Major

Cassiopei Draco
a
Ursa Major
also known as the Great Bear, is the third-
largest constellation in the sky and the largest
constellation in the Northern Hemisphere. It
includes the Big Dipper asterism and is one of the
most recognizable collections of stars in the
Northern Hemisphere.
Ursa Minor

 Also known as “Little Bear”, It consist of

seven stars
 The tail of the little bear may also seen as
the handle of laddle, hence the American
name, “Little Dipper.
 It is home to the North Polaris, which is
located at the end of the little’d dipper
handle
Cassiopeia
is a constellation of the northern sky
easily recognized by a group of five bright
stars forming a slightly irregular W which is
said to represent the Queen sitting on her
throne.
Draco Constellation
represents as Ladon, the dragon that guarded the
gardens of the Hesperides in Greek mythology. The name
Draco means “the dragon” in Latin. I is a home of
Eltanin Star.
The southern circumpolar
constellations

Carina Crux

Centauru
s
Carina
means the keel or bottom of a ship. This
constellation was originally part of a larger
pattern representing an entire sailing ship. It is
home to Canopus, the second brightest star in
the sky
 Centaurus
In Greek mythology, Centaurus represents
a centauri; a creature that is half human, half horse.
Notable stars include Alpha Centauri A, Alpha
Centauri B and Proxima Centauri, the nearest star
to the Solar System.
Crux
is a constellation of the southern sky that is centred on four
bright stars in a cross-shaped asterism commonly known as
the Southern Cross. Alpha Crusis, also known as Acrux, is
the brightest star in the Crux constellation and it is located at
the bottom of the cross.
How does Zodiac sign
affects your life?
1. __________is a group of visible stars that forms
a perceived pattern, usually presenting an animal,
mythological person, or an object.
2. ________is commonly known as North Star. It
is the brightest star in the constellation_________.
3._________ stars always reside above the
horizon, and for that reason, never rise nor set.
4._________creature that is half human, half
horse.
5. _________is a constellation of the northern sky
easily recognized by a group of five bright stars
forming a slightly irregular W which is said to
represent the Queen sitting on her throne.
Quiz Time!
Direction: Identify the name of the constellation

1. 2. 3.
4. 4.
Quiz Time!
Direction: Identify the name of the constellation

1.Little Dipper 2. Orion 3.Ursa Major

Little Bear
4. Big Dipper/ 4. Draco
Great Bear
Homework:
Direction: Answer the question below and
write your answer in ½ crosswise.

1. Why do some constellations become

invisible during at certain times of the year?