POSITIONS OF CONSTELLATIONS

Essential Question

Which constellations
may be observed at
different times of the
year?
 POSITIONS OF CONSTELLATIONS
The local sky that we observe can be described according to imaginary lines
and points of reference with respect to the ground.

the altitude refers to the angle between the star’s

position and the horizon. On the other hand, the
direction is found along the horizon. It is represented by
the four cardinal points: north, south, east, and west.
POSITIONS OF CONSTELLATIONS
The point directly overhead is referred to as the zenith.

The horizon describes all points that are 90° away from
the zenith. It is the boundary between the portion of
the sky that is blocked from Earth
and the part which is visible

Meridian is the great circle passing through the zenith, which connects
the north and south points on the horizon.
 POSITIONS OF CONSTELLATIONS
Great circles on the celestial sphere, such as the equator and lines of
longitude, have the Earth's center as their center. Lines of latitude are not
centered on the Earth's center, making them small circles. These reference
points remain in the same positions relative to the observer.
 The Rotation of Earth and Daily Motion of Stars

When stars are observed at night, they seem to move very slowly. It comes
as a result of Earth moving constantly.

The rotation of Earth gives us day and night. The stars that are on the night
side are those that can be seen from Earth. The stars that are on the same
side of the sun are overpowered by the sunlight and therefore cannot be
seen.
 The Rotation of Earth and Daily Motion of Stars

stars and other celestial objects also appear to rise in the east and set in the west. The
apparent daily paths of celestial objects are parallel to the celestial equator
 The Rotation of Earth and Daily Motion of Stars
There are stars however that do not set. These stars are called circumpolar stars

• Circumpolar stars are located near the north celestial pole

• All the other stars that are affected by Earth’s motion are called non-
circumpolar stars.
• The axis of Earth is in line with a star named Polaris
• Polaris is also called the North Star because it is directly above Earth’s
axis. Polaris does not seem to move because it is directly above Earth’s
axis.
The Rotation of Earth and Daily Motion of Stars

Polaris can only be seen in the Northern hemisphere, and this star belongs
to the asterism Little Dipper. Little Dipper is a part of the Ursa Minor
constellation.
 The Revolution of Earth and the Constellations
• Latitudes refer to positions north or south of the equator while
longitudes refer to positions east or west of the Prime Meridian

Revolution is another type of motion which involves an object completing

a circular path around another object

• Earth completes its revolution around the sun in 365.24 days, which
results in a year having 365 days. Earth is tilted 23.5° off the vertical
axis and is angled differently towards the sun. This provides Earth with
different sun intensities and seasons.
The Revolution of Earth and the Constellations
 The Revolution of Earth and the Constellations
Non-circumpolar Constellations
• Winter constellations are best seen in December, January, and
February. It includes Orion, Canis Major, Gemini, Taurus, and
Eridanus, to name a few

• Spring constellations are those that are seen during March, April, and
May. Constellations such as Leo, Cancer, Bootes, and Aquarius may be
seen during these months.
 The Revolution of Earth and the Constellations
Non-circumpolar Constellations

• Winter constellations are best seen in

December, January, and February. It
includes Orion, Canis Major, Gemini,
Taurus, and Eridanus, to name a few
 The Revolution of Earth and the Constellations
Non-circumpolar Constellations

• Spring constellations are those that

are seen during March, April, and
May. Constellations such as Leo,
Cancer, Bootes, and Aquarius may
be seen during these months
 The Revolution of Earth and the Constellations
Non-circumpolar Constellations

• Summer constellations are best observed in the months of June, July,

and August. It includes Scorpius, Sagittarius, Cetus, and Eridanus.
Lastly, constellations observed during September, October, and
November are considered as the autumn constellations
 The Revolution of Earth and the Constellations
Circumpolar Constellations
• There are constellations however that are seen all year round. These are
called circumpolar constellations
• The circumpolar constellations surround the Polaris
• The northern circumpolar constellations include Ursa Major, Ursa
Minor, Cassiopeia, Draco, and Cepheus. Unlike in the northern
hemisphere, the southern hemisphere has no bright pole star such as
the Polaris
 The Revolution of Earth and the Constellations
Circumpolar Constellations
• But there are still constellations considered as southern circumpolar
constellations such as Carina, Centaurus, and Southern Cross.
Centaurus contains Alpha Centauri which is the third brightest star in
the sky and the closest star to the Sun. It is also home to Omega
Centauri (NGC 5139), which is considered as the brightest and the
largest globular cluster in the sky.