1 Major Star Constellations
Major Star
There are 88 major star constellations found
in our skies. Not all of them can be
seen all the time. If you want to find
Constellation some of these constellations make
sure you pick a clear night and
are away from the bright lights
Fact Cards found in cities. It can take your
eyes up to 20 minutes to adjust
to the dim light from the night sky.
Make sure to bring a compass and
some binoculars or a telescope with you.
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2 Major Star Constellations 3 Major Star Constellations
Ursa Major
Ursa Major is also known as the Great Ursa Minor
Bear. It contains a smaller set of Ursa Minor is also known as the
seven stars which are known as Little Bear. Polaris, or the North
‘The Plough’ or ‘The Big Dipper’. Star, is located within Ursa Minor.
The Plough points towards Polaris, The two stars at the other end
which is also known as the North of Ursa Minor are known as the
Star. The North Star shows you Guardians of the Pole.
which way is North, like a compass
would and can help people to navigate
if they are lost.
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4 Major Star Constellations 5 Major Star Constellations
Cepheus
Draco The constellation of Cepheus is named
The name of this constellation is after the king of Ancient Aethiopia
Latin for dragon. It wraps around from Greek mythology. Cepheus
Ursa Minor. The head of the looks similar to the outline you
dragon is a pattern of four stars might draw for a house, a square
which are called The Lozenge. with a triangle on top.
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6 Major Star Constellations 7 Major Star Constellations
Orion
Cassiopeia Orion was a mighty giant and hunter from Greek mythology who
This constellation is named after claimed he could slay any creature on Earth. The constellation of
the wife of King Cepheus from Orion contains a smaller set of three stars in a line which make up
Greek mythology. It is shaped Orion’s Belt. Below Orion’s Belt, you might find a star that looks
like a ‘W’. It sits near the fuzzy. This is called a stellar nebula. It is where
constellation Cepheus in the sky hundreds of young stars and planets outside our
and as it moves during the year, it solar system are forming. If you follow the line
circles the North Star. of Orion’s Belt to the left, you will find Sirius,
also known as the Dog Star. This star is part of
another constellation called Canis Major and it
is the brightest star in the night sky.
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8 Major Star Constellations 9 Major Star Constellations
Gemini
Gemini is Latin for twins. This
Leo constellation is associated with
Leo is known as a lion in many the twins from Greek mythology,
cultures. If you follow what Castor and Pollux. These are also
looked like a backwards question the names of the two brightest
mark in the constellation, this is stars in this constellation and
the head of the lion. appear to be the heads of the
twins. This constellation looks like
two stick people holding hands. It is
one of the constellations of the zodiac,
which we know as star signs.
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10 Major Star Constellations 11 Major Star Constellations
Cygnus
Lyra Cygnus is named after the Latin
Lyra means the Harp. One of the word for swan. There is a smaller
stars in this constellation is called set of stars in this constellation
Vega. This is one of the brightest known as the Northern Cross as
stars in the night sky. It became it looks like a cross in the sky. The
the first star, other than the Sun, rest of the constellation look like
that was photographed. the wings of a swan when they are
spread out, as if the swan is flying.
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12 Major Star Constellations 13 Major Star Constellations
Pegasus
Pegasus was known as the winged horse in
The Northern Sky
Greek mythology. Pegasus is easily spotted
by the four stars creating the Great When looking North, Ursa Major,
Square of Pegasus. The number of stars Ursa Minor, Draco, Cepheus and
you can see within this square shows Cassiopeia can be seen all year round.
how clear and dark your night sky
is. If you can see between four and Lyra and Cygnus can be seen from
thirteen stars, your sky is good, clear April to June and Pegasus can be
and dark. If you can see more than seen from July to September.
thirteen stars then it indicates excellent
skies. Pegasus appears to be attached to
another constellation called Andromeda.
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14 Major Star Constellations
The Southern Sky
When looking South, Gemini and
Orion can be seen from January to
March.
Leo and Ursa Major can be seen from
April to June.
Cygnus and Lyra can be seen from
July to September.
Pegasus and Cassiopeia can be seen
from October to December.
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