CHAPTER 3

Constellations

Constellations are groups of stars. The constellations you can see at night depend on your location on Earth and the time
of year. Constellations were named after objects, animals, and people long ago. Astronomers today still use constellations
to name stars and meteor showers.

In contemporary astrology, there are 88 constellations that are recognized by the International Astronomical Union. 42
depict animals, 29 depict inanimate objects and 17 depict humans or mythological characters.

The ancient Sumerians, Babylonians, and later, the Greeks established the majority of the northern constellations that are
officially recognized today. That is why many stars and constellations are connected to ancient myths and legends. For
example, the Lyre constellation represents the celestial harp created by Hermes and gifted to Orpheus by Apollo. When
Orpheus played love songs to his beloved bride Eurydice, both people and animals would become captivated. When
Eurydice died suddenly, Orpheus’ enchanting lyre music convinced the ruler of the underworld to release Eurydice under
the condition that Orpheus does not look back at her as she followed him out to the surface. Unable to endure the doubt
that she was not behind him, he glanced over his shoulder and witnessed Eurydice fade away back into Hades’ domain.
After Orpheus passed away, Zeus placed his lyre in the stars in honor of his beautiful music and forsaken love.

Egyptians and the Zodiac

The ancient Egyptians are believed to have developed the Zodiac system, which was later adopted by the Babylonians.

Early astrologers understood that it took 12 lunar cycles for the sun to return to its original position. They then identified
12 constellations that correlated with the progression of the seasons and named them after certain animals or people.
These became the Zodiac signs. The Zodiac signs are divided into four groups. Fire signs include Aries, Sagittarius, and Leo.
Water signs include Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Air signs include Libra, Aquarius, and Gemini. Earth signs include
Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo. Babylonian astrologers believed that the Sun, Moon, and five known planets (Jupiter, Mars,
Mercury, Saturn, and Venus) imbued distinct powers onto each Zodiac constellation.

Top 10 Constellations

The largest constellation is the Hydra, which takes up 3.2% of the Southern night sky. It is commonly depicted as a water
serpent. The best time to see Hydra is in January. The top 10 largest constellations are as follows:

1. Hydra – 3.2%
2. Ursa Major – 3.1%
3. Virgo – 3.1%
4. Cetus – 3%
5. Hercules – 3%
6. Eridanus – 2.8%
7. Pegasus – 2.7%
8. Centaurus – 2.6%
9. Draco – 2.6%
10. Aquarius – 2.4%

Latin Name English Name or Description Student

Andromeda Princess of Ethiopia abando

Antlia Air pump

Apus Bird of Paradise Abao

Aquarius Water bearer

Ara Altar

Aries Ram Arellano

Auriga Charioteer

Bootes Herdsman Barnachea

Caelum Graving tool

Camelopardalis Giraffe Brioso

Cancer Crab

Canes Venatici Hunting dogs Caballero

Canis Major Big dog

Canis Minor Little dog Cabreros

Capricornus Sea goat

Carina Keel of Argonauts' ship Calicdan

Cassiopeia Queen of Ethiopia

Centaurus Centaur Capina

Cepheus King of Ethiopia

Cetus Sea monster (whale) Corpuz

Chamaeleon Chameleon

Circinus Compasses Elegado

Columba Dove

Coma Esteves
Berenice's hair
Berenices

Corona
Southern crown
Australis

Corona Estillore
Northern crown
Borealis

Corvus Crow

Crater Cup Fabros

Crux Cross (southern)

Cygnus Swan Farnacio

Delphinus Porpoise

Dorado Swordfish Fernandez

Draco Dragon

Equuleus Little horse Ferrer

Fornax Furnace Fortuna

Gemini Twins

Grus Crane Lacaste

Hercules Hercules, son of Zeus

Horologium Clock Laroya

Hydra Sea serpent

Hydrus Water snake Macose

Indus Indian

Lacerta Lizard Manangan

Leo Lion

Leo Minor Little lion Manicao

Lepus Hare

Libra Balance Mengaracal

Lupus Wolf

Lynx Lynx Niedo

Lyra Lyre or harp

Mensa Table mountain Oclay

Microscopium Microscope

Monoceros Unicorn Osana

Musca Fly

Norma Carpenter's Level Raposas

Octans Octant

Ophiuchus Holder of serpent Florevie

Orion Orion, the hunter

Pavo Peacock Soriano

Pegasus Pegasus, the winged horse

Perseus Perseus, hero who saved Andromeda Valdez

Phoenix Phoenix

Pictor Easel CARVAJAL

Pisces Fishes

Piscis Austrinus Southern fish

Pyxis Compass on the Argonauts' ship

Reticulum Net

Sagitta Arrow

Sagittarius Archer

Scorpius Scorpion

Sculptor Sculptor's tools

Scutum Shield

Serpens Serpent

Sextans Sextant

Taurus Bull

Telescopium Telescope

Triangulum Triangle

Triangulum
Southern triangle
Australe

Tucana Toucan

Ursa Major Big bear

Ursa Minor Little bear

Vela Sail of the Argonauts' ship

Virgo Virgin

Volans Flying fish

Vulpecula Fox

Note:

Each student will present 2 constellations.

Give little background or trivia about it