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Constellations Activities

Constellations are patterns of stars visible to the naked eye that were invented to create distinctive, memorable images in the night sky. Many of the most famous constellations were already established before recorded history, as those in the northern hemisphere were named by the Babylonians and Greeks to honor gods and heroes, while those in the southern hemisphere were named by seafaring explorers to aid in navigation. Constellation activities provide a way to see how the earth moves and relates to other celestial bodies in a whole new way.

Night Sky Chart
- Creating your very own chart of the night sky is a great way to get to know the location and movement of all 88 constellations over the course of a year. By simply looking outside around the same time every night, you can chart the constellations that are easiest to see each month and observe their track across the sky as the earth turns. Some star charts are designed to work anywhere in the world, so make sure that the chart you are working with is for the appropriate time of year and location.
Stars &Mythology
- Many constellations are famous for the legends they represent. Getting to know the stories behind the shapes in the night sky is a great way to study these starry figures more intimately and remember their location. Many ancient civilizations have associated groups of stars with familiar shapes; the earliest recorded constellation shapes are the bull, lion and scorpion, but it is the Greek and Roman contributions that are most recognized, in part due to the mythology associated with shapes in the stars. Constellations such as Perseus, Andromeda, Orion, Hercules, Leo and Ursa Minor and Ursa Major all bear shapes reminiscent of old Greek or Roman myths.
Star Finder
- NASA's online Space Place offers plans to create a hand-held paper Star Finder to help novice astronomers learn the night sky for each month of the year. All you have to do is print out the Star Finder pattern (http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/st6starfinder/st6starfinder.shtml), decorate it to your fancy, cut and fold where appropriate. With this handy tool you can discover the name and location of constellations you can see during that month's night sky by yourself or with your family and friends.

Astronomy