You are about to begin an exploration of the night sky. Follow the instructions below to learn about the science and mythology of the stars in the sky above.
Pay attention to the instructions printed in blue! These are the items that you need to hand in to the teacher!
1. Find and record the definitions to the following terms:
You can even copy and paste the definitions into a word processing document. For instructions how, click here. You will need to use your browser's back button to return to this page.
asterism
astronomy
binary stars
black dwarf star
black hole
brown dwarf star
celestial equator
celestial sphere
constellation
double stars
dwarf nova
ecliptic
giant stars
horoscope
light year
magnitude scale
nebula
neutron star
north and south celestial poles
nova
protostar
red dwarf
supernova (types I and II)
variable star
white dwarf
zodiac
2. Write down any additional defintions for terms that you do not know.
The Constellations
Next, you will visit National Geographic's Star Journey page. Using this website, you must select a constellation from the Northern
Hemisphere and a constellation from the Southern Hemisphere.
To select a constellation for the Northern Hemisphere, click on a section of the grid on the left hand side of the sky map.
Choose a constellation (click a different section if you don't see one that you like) and record the name of it on your paper.
To select a constellation for the Southern Hemisphere, click on a section of the grid on the right hand side of the sky map.
Choose a constellation (click a different section if you don't see one that you like) and record the name of it on your paper.
You must provide the following information about each of your constellations:
The abbreviation
The English name
The magnitudes and names of the three brightest stars in the constellation
The name of the constellation family that it belongs to
A labeled map of the constellation (this may be printed out)
Five interesting facts about the constellation
You can use the following websites to find the above information:
Hawaiian Astronomical Society- Click on the link labeled Constellations Listing and then click on a letter to link to an alphabetized link of constellations. If you click on the name
of your constellation, you will be connected to a page of information about your constellation.
Munich Astro Archiv Constellation Pages- Click on the link 88 constellations to link to an alphabetized list of the constellations. Click on the abbreviation for your constellation to view a page of information about your constellation. From this page, you can click on the link labeled Stellar Data to find additional information.
In addition, using the Munich Astro Archiv Constellation Pages, click on the link labeled asterism and identify and describe the following things about one asterism. Note: You cannot describe the Big and Little Dippers
The name of the asterism
The location of the asterism
A description of the asterism
Mythology of the Constellations
Now it's time to explore a little bit of the mythology behind the names of the constellations. You can use the following two sites to find information about the 'myth' connected to each of your constellations. Some constellations do not have a true myth associated with their names, however, you should be able to find some story or significant meaning to the name.
Bullfinch's Mythology- Click on the link SEARCH the Age of Fable to locate any references to your constellation name.
If you can't find information using Bullfinch's, try using the Hawaiian Astronomical Society. Once again, click on the link labeled Constellations Listing, click on a letter to link to an alphabetized list, and then click on the name of your constellation.
In your own words, write a brief summary of the myth or story of each of your constellations.
The Stars at Night
Next, you will become a little bit more familiar with where in the sky your constellations are located.
1. Make a list of the constellations that surround each of your constellations. Use the following websites to locate the constellations:
National Geographic Star Journey- Click on a section of the grid for an enlarged view of your constellation. Click surrounding sections if necessary.
Stars and Constellations- Click on the link labeled Interactive Sky Charts to get an alphabetized list of the constellations. Click on the name of your constellation to view a map of your constellation and its surroundings.
2. Find and record the months of the year that your constellations are visible in the sky. Follow the steps below:
Visit StarGazer and click on the button labeled Open StarGazer Window.
Change the date to January 15th by clicking on the number for the month (it will become highlighted), and then use the up/down arrows to change the month. Do the same thing to change the day.
Change the time to 10:00 pm by clicking on the hour and using the up/down arrow to change the number. Do the same thing for the minutes and the am/pm.
Change the latitude to your latitude by clicking on the value for the latitude and using the up/down arrows to change the latitude.
Advance the date, month by month, and record when your constellation is visible (try changing the time as well- maybe your constellation sets early, or rises late!).
To locate your constellation in the Southern Hemisphere, click on View in the StarGazer window and select Latitude. Select a city from the Southern Hemisphere. Repeat Steps A-E for the southern constellation.
Eyes on the Sky
Now, take a look at the Skywatching Center-Tonight's Sky to find out what is happening in the sky tonight and in the upcoming week.
Choose a date in the upcoming week and click on the name of the event for that date.
Read the information about the event and IN YOUR OWN WORDS, summarize the event.
Click on the link near the bottom labeled Printable Version to get a printer-friendly version of the image.
Click the Print button on your browser bar to print the image.
Attach a copy of the printout to your written summary of the event.
Astronomy in the News
Take a look at a couple of articles written about astronomy.
On the list of links on the left of the page, click the link labeled Science, which is listed under "News."
Choose an article to read by clicking on the title.
Record the title of the article, the author and the date that the article first appeared.
Read the article and then, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, write a brief summary of the article.
Make a Constellation
Finally, you will need to make your own constellation by following the directions listed below.
On a piece of graph paper ( 5 mm X 5 mm ), number the X-axis from 0 to 30 and the Y-axis from 0 to 40.
Plot the coordinates that are listed below. Make visible dots (.) to mark the points.
( 5, 35.5 )
( 6, 34 )
( 6, 23 )
( 6, 12.5 )
( 7, 11 )
( 7, 21 )
( 10, 14 )
( 11.5, 28 )
( 15, 7 )
( 15, 15 )
( 17, 12 )
( 17, 22 )
( 17, 30 )
( 19.5, 27.5 )
( 21, 20 )
( 23, 27 )
( 25.5, 30 )
( 28.5, 32 )
( 29.5, 36.5 )
Use all or some of the "stars" that you have plotted to make your own constellation. You may rotate the page in any direction. Connect the stars that form your constellation. Then draw an outline of the shape of your constellation.
Give your constellation a name.
Write a myth about your constellation. The myth can take place in any time period- from ancient times to modern times (or even the future!).
Turn in ALL OF THE PARTS (the things listed in blue) by the due date specified by your teacher.
