Introduction to Constellations – little guidebook

 

Welcome to our guide to the fascinating world of constellations. Learn about the rich history and mythology surrounding these celestial¹ formations and discover the most famous and interesting constellations in the night sky.

 

 

⭐ The Mythology² of the Stars – the most popular ones ⭐

 

–  Orion

According to Greek mythology, Orion was a hunter who boasted that he could kill any animal. This angered the goddess Artemis, who sent a scorpion to kill him. After his death, Orion was placed in the stars for eternity.

 

–  Cassiopeia

In Greek myths, Cassiopeia was a vain queen who boasted about her daughter’s beauty. As  a punishment³, the gods placed her in the sky in the shape of the letter W. She is visible in the northern hemisphere during autumn and winter.

 

–  Ursa Major and Minor (Wielka i Mała Niedźwiedzica)

These two constellations are named after bears in Greek mythology. Ursa Major is said to represent the larger bear that Zeus transformed into the night sky to escape hunters, while Ursa Minor represents her son.

 

–  Pisces

In Greek myth, Pisces represents the fish that saved Aphrodite and her son Eros from the chaos of a giant sea monster. The fish were placed in the sky as a symbol of gratitude⁴ and became a constellation.

 

 

⭐ Discovering Constellations  ⭐

 

–  Using a telescope 

Find a clear area with minimal light pollution, point your telescope towards the sky, and use a star map to locate your desired constellation. If you’re not sure where to start, consider investing in a beginner’s telescope.

 

–  Using a star chart 

A star chart is a map of the night sky that can help you locate constellations. Simply match the pattern of the stars⁵ above with the corresponding constellation on the chart. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to navigate the sky with ease.

 

–  Using binoculars 

With the right set of binoculars and a clear sky, you can get a clear view of distant constellations. Look for binoculars with a magnification of at least 7x and  large objective lens⁶. Use a tripod⁷ or stabilizer for the best results.

 

 

⭐ The Zodiac: more than just horoscopes  ⭐

 

Each horoscope symbol represents a different zodiac sign and has its own unique meaning:

 

Aries ♈: the ram, representing leadership and initiative;

Taurus ♉: the bull, representing stability and sensuality;

Gemini ♊: the twins, representing versatility and communication;

Cancer ♋: the crab, representing emotional depth and intuition ;

Leo ♌: the lion, representing creativity and leadership;

Virgo ♍: the maiden, representing analytical thinking and attention to detail;

Libra ♎: the scales, representing balance and harmony;

Scorpio ♏: the scorpion, representing passion and transformation ;

Sagittarius ♐: the archer, representing exploration and adventure;

Capricorn ♑: the goat, representing discipline and ambition;

Aquarius ♒: the water bearer, representing innovation and individuality;

Pisces ♓: the fish, representing creativity and spirituality;

 

 

⭐ Stars vs. Planets: 🪐✨ What’s the Difference?  ⭐

 

If you’re new to stargazing, you may be wondering how to tell stars and planets apart. While both are visible in the night sky, there are several key differences to look out for.

 

 

–   Stars

Stars are large, gaseous bodies that emit light and heat. They twinkle in the sky and appear as small, bright dots to the naked eye. They are often part of constellations and can be located using star maps.

 

–   Planets

 

Planets⁸ are much smaller than stars and reflect the light of the sun. They have a steady, non-twinkling⁹ appearance and appear as larger, coloured dots in the sky. They are often visible with the naked eye and can be located using star charts.

 

 

⭐ Constellation Fun Facts  ⭐

 

–  The Big Dipper (Wielki Wóz) is only a part of a larger constellation 

The Big Dipper, one of the most recognizable¹⁰ constellations, is actually part of the larger Ursa Major constellation.

 

–  Scorpius is one of the oldest constellations 

Scorpius has been recognized as a constellation since ancient times, and was used by multiple cultures for navigation and storytelling.

 

–  We are part of the Milky Way galaxy 

The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy that contains our solar system, along with billions of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies¹¹.

 

 

⭐ Beyond the Naked Eye  ⭐

 

–  Telescope Filters 

Filters can help improve the image quality of constellations and other celestial objects when using a telescope. Look for filters that block out light pollution and enhance contrast.

 

–  Star Apps 

There are a variety of star-gazing apps available for smartphones that can help novices identify constellations and other celestial bodies. Some apps even let you view the sky in real-time using your camera.

 

–  Star Parties 

Many cities and towns hold star parties, where novices can gather to learn about constellations and other celestial objects from experts. These events often include telescopes and other equipment and are a great way to get started with stargazing¹².

 

Ready to explore the mysteries of the night sky?

 

 

VOCABULARY BANK:

 

¹celestial– niebiański

²mythology – mitologia

³punishment – kara

⁴gratitude – wdzięczność

⁵stars – gwiazdy

⁶lens – obiektyw / soczewka

⁷tripod – statyw

⁸planets – planety

⁹non-twinkling – niebliźniacze

¹⁰recognizable – rozpoznawalny

¹¹celestial bodies – ciała niebieskie

¹²stargazing – obserwacja gwiazd

 

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

 

2022/2023 © Dominika Lange, II rok, Bezpieczeństwo wewnętrzne, Akademia Nauk Stosowanych w Koninie