The Sky and Constellations Latin The Sky and Constellations

Quote of the Day Crescit eundo New Mexico State Motto “It grows as it goes” Lucretius: De Rerum Natura

Review: Quid est tempestas?

caelus

sōl

nimbus

lūna

stēlla

planēta

comētēs

Constellations & Mythology Constellations are groups of stars that form a pattern Many of the constellations are named for people & creatures in Greek/Roman mythology

Cassiopeia Queen of Aethiopia Boasted that her daughter Andromeda was more beautiful than the sea nymphs As punishment, Poseidon placed her in the heavens tied to her throne so that she is upside-down half the time

Orion A great huntsman: several different stories about his life & how he died In the original version, while hunting with the goddess Artemis, he threatened to kill every beast on Earth Mother Earth was angry, and sent a giant scorpion to kill him. Artemis asked Zeus to place him among the constellations, which he did, along with the scorpion

Scorpius Scorpion sent to kill Orion Placed in the heavens as a constellation by Zeus

Leo One of the earliest recognized constellations Latin for “lion” In Greek mythology: Represents the Nemean Lion that was defeated by Hercules as one of his labors