1. Patterns in the Sky

2. Learning goals
We are learning to understand the origin and usefulness of constellations.
We are learning to use a star map.

3. What Pattern do You See?

4. Ursa Major

5. Constellations (88) a grouping of stars, as observed from Earth
historically, people formed these star patterns using there imagination to connect the dots
patterns were named after animals, heroes, mythical monsters etc.

6. Orion

7. Constellation confusion activity
Twenty of the largest or most prominent constellations are shown in the diagram.
All are drawn to their approximate relative size, but their orientations are arbitrary ... they won’t always turned the way you see them here.
This is one of the most difficult things about astronomy ... you have to learn how to rotate things in your “mind’s eye” in order to recognize them.

8. The Significance of the Sky
calendars (ex. lining stones with the Sun’s path, track the start and end of each season)
cultural significance of Solstices and Equinoxes (ex. pyramid El Castillo, Stonehenge in England)
aboriginal traditions (legends and stories)
navigation

9. Mapping the Sky
star map: a map of the night sky that shows the relative positions of the stars in a particular part of the sky
used by people to determine their location on the Earth’s surface and the direction they are going

10. The Celestial Sphere
the imaginary sphere that rotates around Earth, onto which all celestial objects are projected
sphere is divided into the northern and southern hemisphere

11. The Celestial Sphere
north star (Polaris) lines up with the N celestial pole
celestial navigation: the use of positions of stars to determine location and direction when travelling

12. Learning goals
We are learning to understand the origin and usefulness of constellations.
We are learning to use a star map.

13. Homework:
read pages
questions 2, 4, 6, 7

14. Activity: Reading star charts
complete star chart activity