Types of Constellations

Constellations can be seen clearly at night when there is no sunlight. They cannot be seen during the day because the sunlight is too bright.

                                                                              Orion

                                                                        Big Dipper

                                                                    Southern Cross

                                                                          Scorpio

The location of constellations in the sky changes from one position to another because the Earth rotates on its own axis. Therefore, we cannot see all the constellations at the same time.

A. Scorpio
    This constellation looks like a scorpion.

B. Orion
     This constellation looks like a hunter with a belt and sword. It is visible in both the northern and southern    hemisphere.

C. Southern Cross
     This constellation look like a cross or a diamond-shape kite. it can be seen only in the southern hemisphere. It is the smallest constellation among the 88 modern constellations.

D. Big Dipper
     This constellation looks like a saucepan or dipper. It is visible only inthe northern hemisphere.

E. Zodiac
    The zodiac is a group of constellation, which can be seen from both hemispheres at different months of the year. The zodiac consists of 12 constellations. The zodiac comes from the Greek word which means 'of animals'. some superstitious people claim that the signs of the Zodiac could foretell the future. The appearance of all the constellations from earth.

The Importance Of Constellations

A. To Show Direction


In ancient times, sailors and explorers used constellations for navigation. For example, the Big Dipper can be seen only at the northern hemisphere and it always points to the direction of the North Pole. Similarly, the Southern Cross can be seen only at the southern hemisphere and it points to the direction of the South Pole. Astronomers also used the constellations to study the other stars in the Universe.


B. To Indicate time ( or season )


Farmers know that most crops should be planted in the spring and harvested in the autumn. But in some regions, there is not much difference between the seasons. Different constellations to tell what month ( or season ) it is. For example, Scorpio is only visible in the northern hemisphere's evening sky in summer. Some historians believe that many of the myths related to the constellations help the farmers remember them. When they see certain constellations in the night sky, the farmers know that it is the time to begin planting or harvesting.

Types Of Constellations

Constellations can be seen clearly at night when there is no sunlight. They cannot be sen during the day because the sunlight is too bright. Some famous constellations are shown below.

Big Dipper
This constellation looks like a saucepan or dipper. It is visible only in the northern hemisphere.

Orion
This constellation looks like a hunter with a belt and sword. It is visible in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Southern Cross
This constellation look like a cross or a diamond-shape kite. It can be seen only in the southern hemisphere. It is the smallest constellation among the 88 modern constellations.

Scorpio
This constellation looks like a scorpion.

The location of constelations in the sky changes from one position to another because the Earth rotates on  its own axis. Therefore, we connot see all the constellations at the same time.


Below are the time of appearance of some constellations.


a) Big Dipper- April to June around 8pm till 10pm


b) Southern Cross-April to June around 8pm till 10pm


c) Scorpio-December to Ferbruary around 8pm till 10pm


d) Orion- June to August around 8pm till 10pm

Understanding The Constellations

When we look into the sky at night, we can see some stars. These stars produce their own light which makes them visible from the Earth. Thousands of years ago people had observed that groups of stars formed shapes or images. 


We can imagine that lines can be drawn joining one star to another to form shapes or images. The arrangements of a group of stars which form a certain shapes or image is known as a constellation. 


Astronomers named the constellation after mythical animals or heroes because the shapes of these constellations look like them. These constellations include Scorpio, Orion, Big Dipper and Southern Cross.

Understanding The Night Sky