8 Stories in the Sky

In modern times, astronomers count 88 constellations, but many of these constellations go back to ancient times. ere were many groups of people from long ago who told mythological stories about these shapes in the sky.

Recommended Reading

Once Upon a Starry Night, by Jacqueline Mitton and Christina Balit

A Walk rough the Heavens: A Guide to Stars and Constellations and their Legends (4th edition), by Milton D. Heifetz and Will Tirion, p.57- 58, stories of Bootes and Canis Major (not for students in the southern hemisphere)

A Walk rough the Southern Sky: A Guide to Stars and Constellations and their Legends (2nd edition), by Milton D. Heifetz and Will Tirion, p.79- 82, stories of Carina and Centarus (not for students in the northern hemisphere) ACTIVITY Build a Planisphere

Follow the instructions on the following page to learn to make and use a planisphere: experienceastronomy.com/planisphere

LESSON 8 Lesson 8: Job 38:31-32

Can |you |bind |the |chains |of |the P|leiades |or |loose |the |cords |of O|rion? Can |you |lead |forth |the Mazzaroth |in |their |season, |or |can |you |guide |the B|ear |with |its |children? Lesson 8: Job 38:31-32 Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Lesson 8: Job 38:31-32 Question: How many constellations are there in the whole sky? Answer: 88

LESSON 8 Stories in the Sky Lesson 8 Quiz

1. How many constellations are in the sky? ______

2. What is the brightest star in the whole sky other than the sun? a) Sirius b) Canopus c) Alpha Centauri

3. In what constellation does Sirius belong? a) Alpha Centauri b) Canis Major c) Carina

4. What do we call the second brightest star? a) Alpha Centauri b) Arcturus c) Canopus

5. Canopus is in the constellation Carina. True False

6. If you live in the northern hemisphere, Canopus is easily seen high in the sky. True False

7. What do we call the third brightest star in the sky? a) Sirius b) Arcturus c) Alpha Centauri

8. In what constellation can we nd Alpha Centauri? a) Centaurus b) Carina c) Canis Major

9. Centaurus came from the word Centaur—a mythological half-man, half-dog creature. True False

10. e fourth brightest star in the sky is Arcturus. True False