Constellations/Asterisms

How many stars can you see without any artificial light?

3,000

How many constellations are there?

88

Constellation

A group of stars that form a pattern in the sky with a designated region of space.

Asterism

A pattern of stars that is too small to be a constellation.

Why do some constellations rise and set?

Like the sun, they rise and set due to the rotation of the Earth on its axis

What were patterns of stars used for in ancient times?

Navigation, knowing when to plant and harvest crops, preserving myths and legends.

Explain why constellations are not 2-D even though they appear to be flat in the sky

The projection effect. Some stars in a constellation are much closer to earth and some are much farther away. From our perspective, a constellation appears to be 2-D but in reality the stars vary in distance from Earth.

What are constellations used for today?

To serve as a way to organize the night sky and to be able to located different celestial bodies with ease.

Why is it difficult to see stars in suburban and urban areas?

light pollution, air pollution, clouds, landforms, buildings

Polaris

the current star to which the North Celestial Pole of Earth points; also called the "North Star". This star never rises or sets.