Unit 3 Constellations

Question 1

What is a constellation?

Answer 1

A group of stars in the sky that appear to make a pattern.

Question 2

What is an asterism?

Answer 2

An asterism is a part of a constellation. Eg: The Plough is part of Ursa Major.

Question 3

Describe the appearance of a nebula in the night sky.

Answer 3

A nebula appears as a faint fuzzy patch of light in the sky.

Question 4

Orion’s Belt can be used as pointer stars to what?

Answer 4

Sirius (down to left).
Aldebaran (Up to right).
The Pleiades/Severn Sisters (Past Aldebaran).

Question 5

In addition to having names such as Betelgeuse and Rigel stars are named how?

Answer 5

By a Greek letter in order of brightness and then the three letter name of the consteelation in which the star appears in.

Question 6

When and how were the constellations named?

Answer 6

The first list of constellations was published in 150 AD by Ptolemy. Names of the original constellations wher probably made around 2000 BC and were named after mythical stories.

Question 7

How many constellations are there today?

Answer 7

Since 1922 the International Astronomical Union recognises 88 constellations.

Question 8

Pointers from Ursa Major.

Answer 8

Polaris (Straight up from two end stars in Plough).

Arcturus (Follow the arc of Plough).