Constellation Poll
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Andromeda:
The name and story about this constellation comes from Greek mythology, but it is more than likely that they borrowed it and the story from the Babylonians. Andromeda was the daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, the king and queen of Ethiopia. Her mother, Cassiopeia, boasted that she was more beautiful than all of the other Nereids (sea nymphs). As a sacrifice to Cetus, the sea monster, and the only way to save the kingdom, Andromeda was chained to a rock, but was then saved by Perseus when he turned Cetus to stone by using the dismembered head of Medusa.
Best visible:
Cassiopeia:
The name and story about this constellation comes from Greek mythology, but it is more than likely that they borrowed it and the story from the Babylonians. Cassiopeia was wife of Cepheus and mother to Princess Andromeda. Cassiopeia boasted that she was more beautiful than all of the Nereids (sea nymphs). As a sacrifice to Cetus, the sea monster, and the only way to save the kingdom, her daughter Andromeda was chained to a rock, but was then saved by Perseus when he turned Cetus to stone by using the severed head of Medusa. The Nerieds then punished Cassiopeia by binding her to her chair, and she still can be seen in that position, with her head pointed downward.
Best visible:
Hercules:
Hercules is one of the oldest constellations, named by the Greeks. Hercules was the son of Zeus (the king of the gods), and is best known for his twelve labors, because he killed his children in a fit of anger. In his first labor, he killed a lion (see Leo), and wore it's skin from then on.
Best visible:
Leo:
Leo is an old Greek constellation. Leo, an invincible Nemean Lion from the Moon, was sent by Hercules rival Hera as the first of the twelve labors (see also Hercules). Hercules strangled Leo with has bare hands, and used Leo's claws to remove the lion's skin. Hercules then wore the skin, which made him invincible. When Hercules died, Leo was returned to the celestial heavens.
Best visible:
Orion:
Orion was a hunter, which made the sun-god Apollo afraid that Orion would take advantage of his sister, Artemis (the goddess of the hunt). Apollo sent the scorpion, Scorpius, to attack Orion, but Orion escaped by jumping into the sea. Apollo, though, was smarter than the average god, and tricked Artemis into shooting at a dark spot on the waves in the sea, which killed Orion. Orion was then placed in the heavens where the scorpion (Scorpius) still pursues him.
Best visible:
Pegasus:
Pegasus, was the son of Neptune and Medusa. He sprang from the blood of Medusa after Perseus severed her head. Pegasus appears many times throughout mythology, for example, he was captured by Bellerophon at the water of his fountain and ridden by him when he killed Chimaera. Pegasus became the thundering horse of Zeus which is why he appears among the stars.
Best visible:
Sagittarius:
Sagittarius was Babylon's god of War, but in Greek mythology, Sagittarius was a centaur (half-horse, half man). Sometimes, Sagittarius was called Chiron, the wisest of the centaurs. He stands with his bow aimed at the heart of Scorpio.
Best visible:
Taurus:
In Greek mythology, Taurus was actually Zeus disguised as a white bull, so that he (Zeus) could attract the attention of Europa (the princess of Phoenicia). Europa was attracted to the bull, and rode on his back into the sea, and Zeus swam off with her.
Best visible:
Ursa Major:
Ursa Major and Ursa Minor are the two best known constellations, and the Big and Little Dipper are part of these constellations. In Greek mythology, Zeus falls in love with Callisto, and they have a son named Arcus. Zeus' wife Hera became very jealous of Callisto, and to protect Callisto, Zeus turned her into a bear. When Arcus was grown up, he almost shot his mother by mistake, so Zeus decided to turn Arcus into a bear, also, and then placing both bears in the sky. Supposedly, Zeus carried the two bears into the sky by their tails, and that is why they have such long tails, but that cannot be correct, because bears have no tails.
Best visible:
Ursa Minor:
Ursa Minor and Ursa Majorare the two best known constellations, and the Big and Little Dipper are part of these constellations. In Greek mythology, Zeus falls in love with Callisto, and they have a son named Arcus. Zeus' wife Hera became very jealous of Callisto, and to protect Callisto, Zeus turned her into a bear. When Arcus was grown up, he almost shot his mother by mistake, so Zeus decided to turn Arcus into a bear, also, and then placing both bears in the sky. Supposedly, Zeus carried the two bears into the sky by their tails, and that is why they have such long tails, but that cannot be correct, because bears have no tails.
Best visible:
Vote here
Of these 10 constellations, which one is your favorite?
(you can click on a constellation for more information about it)
©1999 ThinkQuest Team 25763. All rights reserved.
Go straight to the poll
Andromeda:
The name and story about this constellation comes from Greek mythology, but it is more than likely that they borrowed it and the story from the Babylonians. Andromeda was the daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, the king and queen of Ethiopia. Her mother, Cassiopeia, boasted that she was more beautiful than all of the other Nereids (sea nymphs). As a sacrifice to Cetus, the sea monster, and the only way to save the kingdom, Andromeda was chained to a rock, but was then saved by Perseus when he turned Cetus to stone by using the dismembered head of Medusa.
Best visible:
- August - January in the Northern Hemisphere
- November in the Southern Hemisphere
Cassiopeia:
The name and story about this constellation comes from Greek mythology, but it is more than likely that they borrowed it and the story from the Babylonians. Cassiopeia was wife of Cepheus and mother to Princess Andromeda. Cassiopeia boasted that she was more beautiful than all of the Nereids (sea nymphs). As a sacrifice to Cetus, the sea monster, and the only way to save the kingdom, her daughter Andromeda was chained to a rock, but was then saved by Perseus when he turned Cetus to stone by using the severed head of Medusa. The Nerieds then punished Cassiopeia by binding her to her chair, and she still can be seen in that position, with her head pointed downward.
Best visible:
- All year long in the Northern Hemisphere
- Not visible in the Southern Hemisphere
Hercules:
Hercules is one of the oldest constellations, named by the Greeks. Hercules was the son of Zeus (the king of the gods), and is best known for his twelve labors, because he killed his children in a fit of anger. In his first labor, he killed a lion (see Leo), and wore it's skin from then on.
Best visible:
- Summer in the Northern Hemisphere
- May - August in the Southern Hemisphere
Leo:
Leo is an old Greek constellation. Leo, an invincible Nemean Lion from the Moon, was sent by Hercules rival Hera as the first of the twelve labors (see also Hercules). Hercules strangled Leo with has bare hands, and used Leo's claws to remove the lion's skin. Hercules then wore the skin, which made him invincible. When Hercules died, Leo was returned to the celestial heavens.
Best visible:
- Spring in the Northern Hemisphere
- Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere
Orion:
Orion was a hunter, which made the sun-god Apollo afraid that Orion would take advantage of his sister, Artemis (the goddess of the hunt). Apollo sent the scorpion, Scorpius, to attack Orion, but Orion escaped by jumping into the sea. Apollo, though, was smarter than the average god, and tricked Artemis into shooting at a dark spot on the waves in the sea, which killed Orion. Orion was then placed in the heavens where the scorpion (Scorpius) still pursues him.
Best visible:
- October - March in the Northern Hemisphere
- October - March in the Southern Hemisphere
Pegasus:
Pegasus, was the son of Neptune and Medusa. He sprang from the blood of Medusa after Perseus severed her head. Pegasus appears many times throughout mythology, for example, he was captured by Bellerophon at the water of his fountain and ridden by him when he killed Chimaera. Pegasus became the thundering horse of Zeus which is why he appears among the stars.
Best visible:
- August - December in the Northern Hemisphere
- August - December in the Southern Hemisphere
Sagittarius:
Sagittarius was Babylon's god of War, but in Greek mythology, Sagittarius was a centaur (half-horse, half man). Sometimes, Sagittarius was called Chiron, the wisest of the centaurs. He stands with his bow aimed at the heart of Scorpio.
Best visible:
- Summer in the Northern Hemisphere
- Winter in the Southern Hemisphere
Taurus:
In Greek mythology, Taurus was actually Zeus disguised as a white bull, so that he (Zeus) could attract the attention of Europa (the princess of Phoenicia). Europa was attracted to the bull, and rode on his back into the sea, and Zeus swam off with her.
Best visible:
- Winter - Early Spring in the Northern Hemisphere
- November - February in the Southern Hemisphere
Ursa Major:
Ursa Major and Ursa Minor are the two best known constellations, and the Big and Little Dipper are part of these constellations. In Greek mythology, Zeus falls in love with Callisto, and they have a son named Arcus. Zeus' wife Hera became very jealous of Callisto, and to protect Callisto, Zeus turned her into a bear. When Arcus was grown up, he almost shot his mother by mistake, so Zeus decided to turn Arcus into a bear, also, and then placing both bears in the sky. Supposedly, Zeus carried the two bears into the sky by their tails, and that is why they have such long tails, but that cannot be correct, because bears have no tails.
Best visible:
- All year long in the Northern Hemisphere
- Not visible in the Southern Hemisphere
Ursa Minor:
Ursa Minor and Ursa Majorare the two best known constellations, and the Big and Little Dipper are part of these constellations. In Greek mythology, Zeus falls in love with Callisto, and they have a son named Arcus. Zeus' wife Hera became very jealous of Callisto, and to protect Callisto, Zeus turned her into a bear. When Arcus was grown up, he almost shot his mother by mistake, so Zeus decided to turn Arcus into a bear, also, and then placing both bears in the sky. Supposedly, Zeus carried the two bears into the sky by their tails, and that is why they have such long tails, but that cannot be correct, because bears have no tails.
Best visible:
- All year long in the Northern Hemisphere
- Not visible in the Southern Hemisphere
Vote here
Of these 10 constellations, which one is your favorite?
(you can click on a constellation for more information about it)
©1999 ThinkQuest Team 25763. All rights reserved.