CONSTELLATION

• Earth's axis


  The imaginary line that goes through the Earth and around which the Earth spins
• Earth's axis is tilted about 23.5 degrees
• The northern axis points almost directly toward Polaris
• When the Sun's rays strike the ground at a high angle


  The ground receives a greater amount of solar energy
• When the Sun's rays strike the ground at an oblique angle


  The ground will receive a lesser amount of solar energy
• Areas that receive scattered sunlight

  Receive less solar energy
• Earth is tilted toward the Sun


  This is summer in the northern hemisphere
• The daylight and nighttime hours are exactly equal on an equinox
• Constellation


  A group of stars that looks like a particular shape in the sky
• There are 88 officially recognized constellations
• The constellation you see depends on your location
• Circumpolar constellations


  Appear to circle around the celestial poles
• The northern hemisphere rotates around Polaris
• The southern hemisphere rotates around the south celestial poles
• The number of circumpolar constellations you can see depends on your latitude
• Ursa Major


  Represents the nymph Callisto, Zeus' love interest, who was turned into a bear. It is one of the largest and most recognizable constellations in the sky, easily identified by the Big Dipper asterism
• Ursa Minor


  Represents Arcas, the son of Zeus and Callisto (Ursa Major), who got turned into a bear, and then into a constellation, along with his mother
• Cassiopeia


  The queen of Aethiopia, known for its W-shaped asterism. The most prominent star in the constellation is Shedar
• Cepheus


  The name of two kings in Aethiopia, grandfather and grandson. The better-known Cepheus is the grandson of the other Cepheus and a husband to the queen Cassiopeia
• Draco


  Identified with several different dragons. It is the 8th largest constellation of the Northern Sky and is notable for containing the star Thuban, which was the North Star around 4,000 years ago
• Carina


  One of the largest constellations, containing the second-brightest star in the night sky, Canopus, as well as two cross-shaped asterisms - the False Cross and the Diamond Cross
• Crux


  One of the smallest constellations, but with four bright stars
• Centaurus


  Associated with the legendary creature Chiron
• Triangulum Australe


  Depicts a surveyor's level and is one of the constellations that can be found on the flag of Brazil
• "Seasonal constellations"


  Usually refers to the constellations that are visible in the sky at around 9 pm in the evening or to constellations that are best observed during a particular season
• Capricornus


  The 12th largest constellation, 40th largest overall. Its brightest star is Deneb Algedi. It has meteor showers called Alpha, Sigma, Chi, and Tau Capricornids
• Aquarius


  The 2nd biggest constellation, 10th largest overall. Its brightest star is Sadalsuud. It has meteor showers called Eta, Iota, and March Aquariids
• Pisces


  The 4th biggest constellation, 14th largest overall. It is visible in the northern hemisphere between late summer and winter. Its brightest star is Kullat Nunu. It has one meteor shower called PISCIDS
• Aries


  The 11th biggest constellation, 39th largest overall. Its brightest star is Hamal. It has 5 meteor showers: May Arietids, Autumn, Delta, Epsilon, and Daytime
• Taurus


  The 6th biggest constellation, 17th largest overall. It is visible during autumn and winter time. Its brightest star is Aldebaran. It has meteor showers called Taurids and Beta Taurids
• Gemini


  The 8th biggest constellation, 30th largest overall. It is visible during winter to spring. Its brightest star is Pollux. It has meteor showers called Geminids and Rho Geminids
• Cancer


  The 9th biggest constellation, 31st largest overall. Its brightest star is Al Tarf. It has a meteor shower called Delta Cancrids
• Leo


  The 3rd biggest constellation, 12th largest overall. Its brightest star is Regulus. It has meteor showers called Leonids, Delta Leonid, Sigma Leonid, and Leo Minorids
• Virgo


  The largest constellation, 2nd largest overall. Its brightest star is Spica. It has meteor showers called Virginids and Mu Virginids
• Libra


  The 7th biggest zodiac constellation. Its brightest star is Zubeneschamali. It has a meteor shower called May Librids
• Scorpius


  The 10th biggest constellation, 33rd largest overall. Its brightest star is Antares. It has meteor showers called Alpha Scorpiids and Omega Scorpiids
• Sagittarius


  The 5th biggest constellation, 15th largest overall. Its brightest star is Kaus Australis