Star Pictures in the Sky Constellations Star Pictures in the Sky

Constellations are groups of bright stars that appear close to each other in the sky. The shapes you see all depend on your point of view.

The zodiac is a band of twelve constellations that circle the Earth.

There is a line that circles the sky known as the Ecliptic There is a line that circles the sky known as the Ecliptic. The Sun appears to move along the ecliptic as the earth orbits the Sun each year.

All of the planets in our solar system orbit the sun in the same plane as the Earth, therefore the planets appear within the Zodiac constellations.

The Earth spins on its axis The Earth spins on its axis. As it spins, different locations on the earth see different stars at different times in the sky.

If you were to set up a camera and take a picture of the stars over a long period of time you would be able to see the spin of the Earth.

It would look like this.

As the Earth rotates the sky appears to spin and the stars create trails of light! Notice that you can even tell the different colors of the stars!

Constellations like those of the Zodiac are made by connecting stars to form pictures. This is the constellation Leo the lion.

Some constellations are very easy to recognize Some constellations are very easy to recognize. Orion the hunter is clearly seen in the winter skies.

Orion – The Hunter

Ursa Major or The Big Bear is another constellation that many people recognize.

The Big Dipper is part of Ursa Major.

The Plough Circle Which way is right side up?

What other constellations are up there?

So what do I need to know about Constellations? There are 88 constellations visible from Earth. 12 of these constellations are the Zodiac constellations. The constellations help break up the sky into a kind of map. Most constellations have Roman names because the Romans created stories or myths to go with them.