Introduction

Long ago, men looking at the night sky saw groups of stars that seemed to belong together. In these groups they imagined they saw the outlines of birds, animals, humans, or other objects. These groups, called constellations, are named after these figures.

North Star

For thousands of years travelers in the northern hemisphere have used the North Star to help guide them along their way. The North Star remains in the same position all night long, while the other stars seem to circle around it. The North Star is the axis or center point of a group of nearby constellations called the pole-circling constellations (or circumpolar constellations). The pole-circling constellations are visible, at least in part, at any hour of the night in any season an observer in the United States or any country in the North Temperate Zone.

The Zodic

Over the years, the path of the sun takes it through the twelve constellations. This is called the zodiac. The twelve constellations were named long, long ago. They are Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, Pisces, and Aries. Here is a chart of the different signs, what they mean, and the starting date through ending date of this sign.

Scorpios

The constellation Scorpios (the scorpion) can be seen in the southern hemisphere. The brightest star in its body is Antares, a giant star about 500 light-years away. Antares is 10,000 times more luminous (bright) than our Sun.

Eridanus

Curving across the sky, the constellation Eridanus suggests the course of a river. It begins near the star Rigee in Orion, and ends with the star Archernar, -an Arabic word that means "end of the river." Although Archernar, a large bluish star, that is the 10^th brightest star, is too far south to be seen easily in most parts of the northern hemisphere. It can sometimes be seen in the fall.

Sirus

In the northern hemisphere, the brightest star is Sirius, a blue white star that is a little larger then the sun and twice as hot. Sirius is called the dog star, it is part of a constellation called Canis Major.

Proycon

In the northern hemisphere the constellation Canis Major’s largest star is Procyon. Its name, a Greek word meaning "leading dog," was given to Procyon because it appears above the horizon about 40 minutes before Sirius. Procyon is the 8^th brightest star. It is a yellowish white star twice the size of our sun.

The Big Dipper

Astronomers say that the Big Dipper is not a constellation by itself. The Big Dipper is part of a constellation called the Big Bear. As with most of the constellations, the Big and Little Bear were named after characters in Greek or Roman mythology.