Quarter 4 (Module 4) – Integrated Science 9 –

Constellations

Student’s Name _________________________

Contact No. _________________________

Overview

Long before the invention of the telescope, early civilizations

invented star patterns and named them after animals, objects, heroes,
gods, and beasts from stories and myths. Many of these myths were
probably created to explain changes in the sky due to seasons, etc.
The ancient Greeks named many constellations. Constellations are
defined as a group of stars which form a particular pattern and are
named and identified by their traditional mythological figures.

In this module, you will be able to explore the constellations. This will
help you understand how did these constellations were named and
how the position of constellations changes. Furthermore, this module
will show the importance of these constellations today.

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Constellations

Learning Objectives

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Describe what is a constellation;

2. Identify the constellations seen at different times of the year;
3. Describe how the position of constellations changes and;
4. Enumerate the importance of constellations to people in the ancient
times.

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Lecture/Discussion

Constellations

The patterns of stars seen in the sky are usually called constellations.
Astronomers use the term constellation to refer to an area of the sky. The star
patterns that have been discovered but have not been officially identified as
constellation are called asterism. Asterism refers to the distinctive pattern
formed by a group of stars which belongs to one or more constellations.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) divides the sky into 88
official constellations with exact boundaries, so that every place in the sky
belongs within a constellation. Most of the constellations in the Northern
Hemisphere are based on the constellations invented by the ancient Greeks,
while most in the Southern Hemisphere are based on names given to them by
seventeenth century European explorers.

Constellations Cassiopeia, Ursa Minor and Ursa Major

How does the constellations change positions?

The stars appear to change positions in the sky throughout the year as
Earth revolves around the sun. The position of the constellations varies
throughout the year because the Earth travels about 960 km in its elliptical

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orbit around the sun. This means that the sun changes its position in relation
to the background stars by 1 degree each day.

Constellations cannot be seen all in one night. Some of the

constellations can be seen only during certain seasons. The part of the sky
visible at night at a particular place gradually changes as the season changes.
The observers at different latitudes see different constellations. Example an
observer at the equator can view all the constellations during a year, but the
observer at North or South Pole can see only the stars in a single hemisphere
of constellations.

Constellations seen per Season

1. Winter constellations
The constellations that are best observed in the evening night sky
from late December to late March in the northern hemisphere and from
late June to late September in the southern hemisphere.
 Most prominent constellations:
-Auriga, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Carina, Eridanus, Gemini, Monoceros,
Orion and Taurus.

2. Summer constellations
The constellations that are best seen in the evening night sky
from late June to late September in the northern hemisphere and from
late December to late March in the southern hemisphere.
 Most prominent constellations:
-Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor in the northern
hemisphere; Carina, Centaurus and Crux in the southern and the
Summer Triangle –Aquila, Cygnus and Lyra.

3. Spring constellations
The constellations that are best seen in the evening night sky
from late March to late June in the northern hemisphere and from late
September to late December in the southern hemisphere.
 Most prominent constellations:
-Ursa Major, Bootes, Leo, Cancer, Virgo and Hydra.

4. Autumn constellations
Best observed in the night sky from late September to late December in
the northern hemisphere and from late March to late June in the
southern hemisphere.
 Most prominent constellations:

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-Zodiac constellations of Aquarius, Aries and Pisces, and the Perseus
family: Andromeda, Perseus, Cassiopeia, Pegasus, Triangulum, Cetus
and Cepheus Cassiopeia’s W, the Great Square of Pegasus and
Lacerta’s zig-zag shape make it easy to find them.

How Early People Used the Constellations

 The story, using the stars, shared the secret of the Universe’s journey
from its primitive void of nothingness to its big bang existence by
detailing a genealogy of elements, goddesses, gods and mythical
creatures.
 In Ancient times, constellations were used to create and track the
calendar so they knew when to plant crops and harvest them.
 Constellations were also used for navigation and to help sailors travel
across oceans.
 Ancient natives of North America lined up circles of stones with the Sun
and stars to chart the rising Sun and the beginning of summers.
 Astrolabes. "Star-finders" or astrolabes were created by Arab
astronomers to solve complicated astronomy problems. One side of an
astrolabe contained a detailed star map.

Learning Activity 1.

Directions: Unscrambled the letters to create a word. There is a hint to

answer each item. Write your answers on the table provided below.

1. LLETOTOSINNAC - The 88 group of stars that make an officially recognized

shape.
2. UNS - Name of the only star in the Solar System.
3. ETSRAMIS- Star patterns that are not officially identified as constellations.
4. RAST - A massive ball of plasma that emits light throughout the universe.
5. NINVATOGAI- Sailors were guided by constellations during their travels.
6. WEYOLL - The color of the sun.
7. NRMRTOEOSAS - People who study stars and outer space.
8. ALPISRO - It is also known as the North Star.
9. OSESANS- Constellations change in position during this time.
10. NRPTTAES- These are formed by the stars in the sky.

1. 6.

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2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.

Learning Activity 2.

True or False. Write the word TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if
the answer is incorrect. Write your answers on the space provided before the
number.

_________1. During the ancient times, stars served as a guide to the sailors.
_________2. The position of the constellations varies because the Earth orbits
around the sun.
_________3. Constellations refers to a group of stars that forms a particular
angle.
_________4. Constellation Draco is most prominent during summer season.
_________5. The 78 constellations are divided into two groups relative to their
positions.
_________6. Constellations are bigger than galaxies.
_________7. Ursa Major is both seen during summer and spring season.
_________8. Cassiopeia is part of the Ursa Major constellation.
_________9. Constellations were used as calendar when to sow crops in the
earlier times.
_________10. When you are at the equator you can see all the constellations all
throughout the year.

Learning Activity 3.
INSTRUCTION: Draw the pattern formed by the given constellation.

1. Ursa Major 2. Aquila

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3. Orion 4. Pegasus

Suggested Reading and Video Links:

https://youtu.be/QXeEAQtC75g

https://youtu.be/--MGQNhVs3s

Assessment

Write the letter of the correct answer.

_____1. How many are the known constellations?

a. 89 b. 90 c. 88 d. 78

_____2. Which statement best describes a constellation?

a. A constellation is a star.
b. A constellation is a group of stars that forms a particular shape in the
sky.
c. A constellation determines the future of a person.
d. A constellation is a group of stars that forms an angle in the sky.

_____3. Which of the following is the largest constellation?

a. Big Dipper
b. Canis Major
c. Draco
d. Hydra

_____4. Which constellation is prominently seen in the sky during summer?

a. Hercules
b. Orion
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c. Pegasus
d. Virgo

_____5. Which of the following is NOT an application of constellation in the

ancient times
a. For navigation
b. Serves as a calendar
c. Fortune teller
d. Great stories were told

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_____6. Why can we see different parts of the sky at different times of the
year?
a. Due to the rotation of the earth.
b. Due to the tilt of the earth’s axis.
c. Due to the revolution of the earth.
d. Due to the revolution of the moon.

_____7. How were constellations originally named and identified?

a. By their location from Earth’s horizon.
b. In groups of very distant, bright or old stars.
c. As people or animals they may have resembled.
d. Mathematically, with numbers and coordinates.

_____8. Which constellation is prominently seen in the sky during winter?

a. Hercules
b. Orion
c. Pegasus
d. Virgo

_____9. Which one refers to the pattern formed by a group of stars which
belongs to one or more constellations?
a. Asterism
b. Aneurysm
c. Astemerism
d. Astromers

____10. During what season is the Summer Triangle seen.

a. Winter
b. Spring
c. Summer
d. Autumn

References

Department of Education Learners Manual Science for Grade 9. First Edition.

2015.
Department of Education Alternative Delivery Mode Modules for Science 9.
First Edition. 2020

Online Websites
https://star-name-registry.org

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http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/about-us/117-the-universe/stars-and-star-
clusters/constellations/375-what-are-constellations-used-for-intermediate
https://sciencing.com/did-people-use-stars-planets-8675019.html

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