Constellations The constellations are totally imaginary things that poets, farmers and astronomers have made up over the past 6,000 years (and probably even more!). The real purpose for the constellations is to help us tell which stars are which, nothing more. On a really dark night, you can see about 1000 to 1500 stars. In the beginning farmers invented the constellations. Why did they do that? farmers know that for most crops, you plant in the spring and harvest in the fall. But in some regions, there is not much differentiation between the seasons. Since different constellations are visible at different times of the year, you can use them to tell what month it is.

This shows the great hunter Orion. In this one, he is holding a lion's head instead of his traditional bow or shield. He has an eager look in his eye as he stalks Taurus, the Bull. Behind him, his faithful dog, Canis Major, is chasing Lepus, the Hare.

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Constellations

Big Dipper: Ursa Major

Aquila Ursa Minor

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Signs of the Zodiac AriesAries - March 21 - April 20 TaurusTaurus - April 21 - May 21 GeminiGemini - May 22 - June 21 CancerCancer - June 22 - July 22 LeoLeo - July 23 -August 21 VirgoVirgo - August 22 - September 23 LibraLibra - September 24 - October 23 ScorpioScorpio - October 24 - November 22 SagittariusSagittarius - November 23 - December 22 CapricornCapricorn - December 23 - January 20 AquariusAquarius - January 21 - February 19 PiscesPisces - February 20- March 20

Symbols of the Zodiac

Symbols of the zodiac and where they are found? ♈ Aries (0°)Aries ♉ Taurus (30°)Taurus ♊ Gemini (60°)Gemini ♋ Cancer (90°)Cancer ♌ Leo (120°)Leo ♍ Virgo (150°)Virgo ♎ Libra (180°)Libra ♏ Scorpius (210°)Scorpius ♐ Sagittarius (240°)Sagittarius ♑ Capricornus (270°)Capricornus ♒ Aquarius (300°)Aquarius ♓ Pisces (330°)Pisces

Signs of the Zodiac

Constellations

Activity then Quiz

Quiz 1. What is the real purpose of constellations? 2. In the beginning, who invented constellations, and why? 3. Name three constellations that are also signs of the zodiac. 4. What is the name of the North Star? 5. Which constellation has the North Star in it? 6. What are the three constellations that can be seen in the Canadian sky all year round?

Quiz Answers 1. To help us tell which stars are which. 2. Farmers, so they could tell the changing of the seasons for planting Polaris 5. The Little Dipper: Ursa Minor 6. Ursa Minor, Ursa Major, Cassiopeia