Constellations

TABLE: The Constellations

The Latin names and meanings of the official 88 constellations are given below. The original 48 constellations of Ptolemy are indicated with an asterisk*. Ptolemy's constellation Argo the Boat was later divided into three parts (Carina, Puppis, and Vela, which are noted).

Activity Corner: Three-Dimensional Orion

by Sally Stephens, ASP Education Coordinator

Orion, the Hunter, is one of the few constellations that looks like what it is supposed to be (see picture). It is not hard to envision a hunter holding a shield and a sword, defending himself against a charging Taurus the Bull. But the stars that make up Orion lie at very different distances from the Sun. Their resemblance to a human figure is a chance alignment. Viewed from another angle, they would not look anything like a hunter. To illustrate this, we can make a three-dimensional model of Orion's stars in space.

Materials:

Large sturdy piece of cardboard (15" by 12")
Ruler
7 cotton balls
String
Glue or tape
Pin or scissors (to make holes)

Instructions:

Tie string around each cotton ball (which represents a star), leaving at least 20 inches of string trailing off from the cotton ball. Place cardboard so that the long side is facing you. That side will be called the "front". For each star, measure as far along the front edge from the right hand corner as indicated by the number in the column marked "Measurement from Right". Then, measure back along a line perpendicular to that edge, a distance equal to that in the column marked "Measurement from Front", and make a hole in the cardboard with a pin or the tip of a scissors at that point. Thread one string through the hole so that the cotton ball hangs down under the cardboard the same distance as in the column marked "Length of String". Tape or glue the string to the top of the cardboard so that the "star" will not move. When all the stars have been put in their place in space, hold the cardboard up so that the "front" is again facing you. You will see the stars of Orion in their familiar pattern. Turning the cardboard will show the positions of the stars in space relative to one another. Also, note that the stars only look like a hunter when viewed from certain perspectives.

Other Constellation Activities

Older students can research the constellation patterns and stories that other cultures saw in the night sky and compare them to the more familiar Greek ones. This can be done by reading books and articles, or by interviewing family members or friends.

Maps of the stars in the constellations can be useful in the classroom. Slide sets, such as Star Maps (a sample of which is on the previous page) which show actual pictures of each constellation in the night sky and separate line drawings of the constellation figures, can help students identify the constellations as part of homework assignments or evening "star parties." This can be especially helpful for students without easy access to a planetarium.

For Further information about Constellations:

• Allen, R. Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning. 1899, 1965, Dover Books reprint.
• Krupp, E. Beyond the Blue Horizon: Myths and Legends of the Sun, Moon, Stars and Planets. 1991, Harper Collins.
• Proctor, P. Star Myths and Stories. 1972, Exposition Press.
• Ridpath, I. Star Tales. 1988, Universe Books.

• Rey, H. A. Find the Constellations. 1976, Houghton-Mifflin. A classic guide with simplified diagrams and text.
• Schatz, D. Astronomy Activity Book. 1991, Simon and Schuster. Wonderful book of astronomy activities for the whole family or elementary and middle schools.

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