Night Sky Watching

Page
2

From Greek astronomers have inherited the names of the constellations: mythological figures or animals

Different cultures on Earth each have different names for the constellations

Slide 18

Constellation Stars at Different Distances from Earth

Slide 19

Visible Constellations change over a year

May have heard …

“Orion is a winter constellation”

“You can see Cygnus most of the summer”

Above comments arise because you cannot see the Constellations near where the Sun is in the sky

Sun so bright it washes out rest of stars

Since Sun moves along the Ecliptic over a year the constellations “away” from the Sun change over a year.

Slide 20

Constellations on opposite side of Sun (Opposition)

Slide 21

The Zodiac

Band of constellations closest to the Ecliptic (Sun’s yearly path across the sky)

Correspond to Horoscope “Signs”

Astrology used to make predictions (not science!)

Useful for backyard astronomy: Planets and the Moon can always be found in the Zodiac

Width of the Zodiac belt ~ 18°

Slide 22

Slide 23

Slide 24

Mercury

Mars

Saturn

Slide 25

Naming Stars

Brightest star in constellation Taurus

Greek name: α Taurus

Arabic name: Aldebaran

“Al Debarren”

“The Follower”

(of the Pleiades)