When we arrange the stars into constellations it helps us to map the sky
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The Unchanging Sky
The unvarying aspect of the relationships of the
stars' positions may have suggested to the ancients something that was analogous to
their beliefs about the universe. It is not surprising that they chose to express
their beliefs metaphorically, believing that groups of stars, constellations, and
moving planets were associated with their deeply held stories of the creation,
sustenance, and destruction of the universe. Human beings, even now, use metaphor
to express deeply held beliefs, in the
poetry
and
art of societies.
In more modern times some of the ancient designations for star arrangements have remained, giving us a flavor
of what the world felt like when the sky was "closer". The names, positions and
groupings of stars help us to give order to the sky in our minds.
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
The
Summer 2010 issue of The Earth Scientist, available in our
online store, includes articles on rivers and snow, classroom planetariums, satellites and oceanography, hands-on astronomy, and global warming.
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Our 2010 Summer issue of The Earth Scientist includes six articles dealing with various aspects of Earth Science. An article from NOAA details how lake effect snow can, under the right conditions, actually occur on the narrow Mississippi River.
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Andromeda is a "V" shaped constellation best viewed in the fall if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. Andromeda lies close to the north pole, so only a few in the Southern Hemisphere can see this strangely
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Aquarius is a member of the Zodiac, a group of constellations that the Sun travels through each year. It is best viewed in the fall in the southern sky, although much of the northern hemisphere can see
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Cancer, the Crab, is a member of the Zodiac, a group of constellations that the Sun travels through each year. Cancer is best seen during the month of March, but is visible from December through June.
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Canis Major is known as the Great Dog. In Greek myth, it is said that this constellation, along with Canis Minor, are Orion's hunting dogs. Canis Major was one of the most important constellations in
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The constellation Capricornus represents the figure of either a goat or a sea-goat in the sky. Capricornus is also a member of the Zodiac, a special group of constellations that the Sun travels through
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The constellation Cetus represents the Sea Monster. It is one of the largest constellations known. In classical civilizations, the figure was the giant sea monster that almost ate Andromeda. King Cepheus
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The unvarying aspect of the relationships of the stars' positions may have suggested to the ancients something that was analogous to their beliefs about the universe. It is not surprising that they chose
...more
