Constellations

Stars in the Sky 88 Constellations Group stars together to make it easier to find individual stars Because of Earth’s rotation and orbit, not all constellations are visible at all times.

Naming the Stars Constellations are named patterns of stars. All societies created them. The ancient constellations that populate our sky began in the lands of the middle east thousands of years ago. They passed through the hands of the ancient Greeks, who overlaid them with their legends and put them in story and verse. During Roman times they were assigned Latin names.

Stories of the Stars The Greeks and Romans created stories to go with the constellations. Why? Make it easier to remember Preserve culture

Pegasus The hero Bellerophon tamed and rode him to slay the monster Chimaera, Later, Pegasus entered heaven and became Zeus' packhorse, carrying lightning to where it was needed.

Hercules The strongest man who ever lived, was known from early Greek times, when he was celebrated for having accomplished twelve seemingly impossible tasks, or labors. The son of Zeus by a mortal mother, Hercules then became a full god.

Orion Orion, the Hunter, was named by the Greeks, but this obvious figure was variously known as a god, hero, warrior, and hunter Orion was the son of Poseidon and a mortal mother, and was the most handsome man who ever lived. Blinded by the jealous father of his intended bride, he eventually regained his sight by looking at the sunrise.

Zodiac “Hey Baby, what’s your sign? 12 constellations Also stories about Greek heroes and monsters.

Aries March 21st - April 20th Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, represented as the Ram. Aries is the source of the Golden Fleece.

Taurus April 21st - May 21st Taurus is the 2nd sign of the zodiac, represented as a bull. Zeus disguised himself as a bull and fathered 3 children, including Minos whose son was the minotaur.

Gemini (Twins) May 22nd - June 21st Gemini is the 3rd sign of the zodiac, represented by the Greeks as the Greek twins Castor and Pollux.

Cancer June 22nd - July 22nd Cancer is the 4th sign of the zodiac, represented by a Crab. It is the enormous creature which the goddess Hera sent from the swamp against Hercules during his battle with the Hydra.

Leo July 23rd - August 23rd Leo is the 5th sign of the zodiac, represented by a Lion, specifically the terrible Nemean Lion which had a skin no weapon could penetrate. Hercules clubbed it to death and Zeus put Leo in the stars.

Virgo August 24th - September 23rd Virgo is the 6th sign of the zodiac, “maid”, Hesiod thought her the daughter of Jupiter and Themis.

Libra September 24th - October 23rd Libra is the 7th sign of the zodiac and is remarkable for being the only one not represented by a living creature. It represents the balance between Virgo and Scorpio.

Scorpio October 24th - November 22nd Scorpio is the 8th sign of the zodiac, represented by a Scorpion. Until separated by Libra, the scorpion stung the heels of Virgo at the Autumnal Equinox, while she crushed it underfoot.

Sagittarius November 23rd - December 21st Sagittarius is the 9th sign of the zodiac, represented as a Centaur shooting an arrow.

Capricorn December 22nd - January 20th Capricorn is the 10th sign of the zodiac, represented by a Goat with crooked horns and the hind parts of a Fish.

Aquarius January 21st - February 19th Aquarius is the 11th sign of the zodiac, represented by a young man bearing either a pitcher of water or a cup. The young man is Ganymedes the cup bearer to the gods.

Pieces February 20th - March 20th Pisces is the 12th and last sign of the zodiac, represented by two fish. The Greek myth, echoing that of Capricorn, tells how Eros and Aphrodite, were turned into fishes when they leapt into water to escape the wrath of the storm god Typhon.