The Constellations

The Constellations
Constellations are patterns of stars in the sky. Over many thousands of years, human
beings living on the Earth have looked up and seen the shapes of people, animals and
everyday objects - they 'joined the dots' of the stars to form patterns in the sky. They
gave these shapes names, some of which we still use today. But why did they bother
with constellations at all? One reason is that having constellations makes it easier to
find your way around the sky. This is useful for finding north, or working out the date
or the time. When there were no compasses, clocks or watches, this was all very
important.
There is another reason why constellations were so important. Imagine going back to
a time before paper and pencil had been invented. Life was sparse. If you wanted to
draw a picture, you had to scratch it out on a dark cave wall or write it in sand that
could blow away. But at night an amazing pattern of bright specks of light would
appear above your head. By joining the dots you could see almost any picture you
wanted. You could imagine seeing your favourite shapes in the sky. You might tell
others about the constellations you have made up. They might tell others, and your
constellation could be passed down from generation to generation for hundreds or
even thousands of years. This is how many of the constellations got the names we use.
Seasons
You don't see exactly the same part of the sky every night, though between one night
and the next you won't see much of a difference. Over a few weeks you'll definitely
notice that you can see some constellations that you couldn't see before and some
constellations that you could see aren't there any more. This is because the Earth is
moving around the Sun. As the Earth moves round in its orbit, the night side of the
Earth (the side facing away from the Sun) faces out to different parts of space, where
there are different constellations.
This means that you see different constellations in different seasons. Orion and
Taurus are (Northern Hemisphere) winter constellations, because you can see them on
winter evenings. Cygnus and Scorpius are (Northern Hemisphere) summer
constellations, because you can see them on summer evenings.
Naming The Constellations
So who made up the constellations and their names? The earliest people on the Earth
were hunters and gatherers. They looked up into the sky and saw shapes that were
important to them - like Orion the Hunter. Much later in human history, English
farmers looked up into the sky and saw the shape of a Plough. Russian peasants,
looking at the same group of stars, called it Ursa Major or The Great Bear. People in
France called it Le Casserole meaning the Saucepan. People in the USA called it The
Big Dipper meaning a soup ladle. All of these different names are used today. The
only people who have decided on one set of names for the constellations are the
astronomers. For example, they always call the Plough 'Ursa Major', and never any of
the other names. They had to do this so that they all knew what other astronomers
across the world were talking about.
The stars in a constellation have nothing to do with each other; they can be very, very
far apart, even if they appear to be right next to each other in the sky. Imagine looking
up while standing in a street. You might see your hand next to a street light, which is
next to the Moon, which is next to a planet, which is next to a star. All of these things
are far away from each other, yet they can be next to each other when you look at
them.
If you like, you can look up into the sky, join the dots and make up your own
constellations. Tell other people about your constellations. Maybe one day people all
around the world will be using one of your constellation names!
Questions:
1. What use for constellations is NOT mentioned in the opening paragraphs?
To help people find their way

To provide entertainment
To understand the origins of life in the universe
To allow people to orientate themselves
2. What is the best meaning of the word "sparse" in the second paragraph?
Rare Difficult
Tough Boring
3. Why do constellations change in the sky from month to month?
Because of the Earth's movements

Because of passing fashions
Because of the weather
Because stars are always moving
4. Why do astronomers call the constellation 'Ursa Major' by this name?
Because the Russians insisted

Because Russia provides much of the finance for these organisations
To ease international communication
They decided that's what it most looks like
5. What point is being made in the penultimate paragraph?
Stars used to be closer together

The stars look different depending on where you are standing
Perspective makes stars seem closer
You won't see stars well under street lights
6. Where would you most likely find this text?
A scholarly publication A children's encyclopedia

A newspaper A political leaflet

The Constellations

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The Constellations

Naming The Constellations

1. What use for constellations is NOT mentioned in the opening paragraphs?

To help people find their way

3. Why do constellations change in the sky from month to month?

Because of the Earth's movements

4. Why do astronomers call the constellation 'Ursa Major' by this name?

Because the Russians insisted

5. What point is being made in the penultimate paragraph?

Stars used to be closer together

6. Where would you most likely find this text?

A scholarly publication A children's encyclopedia

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