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 Learning Intention
• We are learning about constellations.

Success Criteria
• I can explain what a constellation is, where they are located, how I can see
one, examples of constellations and why constellations exist.
 What Are Constellations?
Constellations are special groups of stars. They make a specific shape and
each has their own name.
 What Are Constellations?
Constellations work like a dot-to-dot puzzle. The stars are connected with
invisible lines to create a picture. The pictures look like animals, humans or
objects. Sometimes the picture they make can be hard to see!

Even though the stars in a constellation look close to each other, they may actually
be quite a distance away.
 How Many Constellations Are There?
Many cultures from all over the world have their own constellations.
Currently, there are 88 official constellations.

Do you know any

constellations?
 What Are Some Examples of Constellations?
Some of the most famous constellations include:

Crux
Orion
Ursa
Ursa (Southern
(The
Minor
Major Cross)
Hunter)
(Smaller
(LargerBear)
Bear)

There is also a constellation for each star sign. Can you name a star sign?
 What Are Constellations?
Constellations can be observed in the sky at night. However, the
constellations you see change depending on the time of the year. 
This is because the Earth is constantly moving around the Sun. 
 What Are Constellations?

Your location also changes the

constellations you see. 

For example, people living in the Northern

Hemisphere may see different
constellations than people living in the
Southern Hemisphere.
 What Are Constellations?

Constellations have had many uses over the

years. In ancient times, constellations were
used as a calendar so people knew when to
plant and harvest crops. 

Constellations were also used for navigation.

For example, explorers would use the North
Star in Ursa Minor to travel across the sea.
They also used special instruments (like this
sextant) to measure distance with stars.

Even today, astronauts are trained to use

constellations to navigate in space in case their
spacecraft’s navigation system fails.