Constellations

Hello my dear students. Your teacher is in the mood for teaching about Constellations as you have noticed through the first class. I hope you have as much fun doing this class as I had researching for it.

PART 1 – CONSTELLATIONS

1 – What’s a constellation? (4)

2 – How many constellations are officially recognized nowadays? (1)

3 – What’s an ‘asterism’ when we’re talking in terms of constellations? (6)

4 – Give an example of an asterism. (4)

5 – Most of constellations names are based upon which ancient culture? (1)

(16 Points)

PART 2 – CHINESE CONSTELLATIONS

1 – How did the Ancient Chinese divide the night sky? (6)

2 – Tell which are the Three Enclosures and where are they placed in the sky. (6)

3 – Explain the process of Chinese stars naming. (8)

4 – Choose three of the Twenty-Eight Mansions and write a short essay about them. (Maximum of 100 words per Mansion.) (45 – 15 per Mansion)

(65 Points)

PART 3 – FORMER CONSTELLATIONS

1 – What are former constellations? (4)

2 – Name three former constellations and if possible explain why there are no longer recognized. (15 – 5 per constellation)

(19 Points)

Total points possible: 100!

Remember to site your sources (websites used) and no copying and pasting!

Good Work!

PART 1:
1. A constellation has diffrent meanings for what topic you are reffering it to. In Astrology a constellation is a group of stars positioned in the heavens as to influence events (Especially at birth). In Astronomy a Constellation refers to one of the 88 sections on the sky and also a collection of stars grouped together in a way that they form a figure or design.

2. There are 88 recognized constellations visible from earth. 12 of those are a part of the zodiac.

3. An Asterism is a grouping of stars that are not a constellation but may be made out of stars from a single constellation or stars from two or more constellations.

4. The Big Dipper and The Littel Dipper are Asterims and are formed with stars from Ursas Major and Ursus Minor.

5. Most of the constellations were named by the ancient Greeks.

PART 2:
1. The Ancient Chinese divided the sky into four (4) diffrent quadrants. These quadrants were in turn divided into twenty-eight (28) smaller segments named "seishuku". The four quadrants represented the seasons and were given diffrent animal names each with it's own color. Suzaku the Red Bird, Seiryu the Blue Dragon, Genbu the Black Tortoise or Warrior, and Byakko the White Tiger.

2. The Three Enclosures are the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, The Supreme Palace Enclosure, and finally The Heavenly Market Enclosure. The Purple Forbidden Enclosure is placed in the middle and all the other stars are around it. The Supreme Palace Enclosure occupies a peice of the sky east and north of the first. The Heavenly Market Enclosure lies west and south to the first.

3. Every star is assigned to an Asterism systematically. Then a specific number is given to a certain star in each asterism. Example: Star name= Asterism name+number

4.

Part 3:
1. Former constellations are constellations that are not recgognized any longer by the International Astronomical Union. Many of these constellations have been around for a very long time and can be found in and throughout historical documents and stories. They can also be found on old star charts.

2. a.Sceptrum et Manus Iustitiae is a former constellation that stoped being recognized due to its long and unusual name. b. Argo Navis was a very large constellation seen in the southern sky. This constellation represented the ship known in greek mythology as the ship used ny Jason and the Argonuats. It was disbanded because it was believed to be too large and so was split into three smaller constellations. c. Quadrans Muralis was created in 1795 and does not exist today (or at least is not recognized) because it was merged with two other constelletions.

Sources:
www.answers.com
www.Wikipedia.com

PART 1 – CONSTELLATIONS

1 – A constellation is anyone of the 88 regions in which the sky is divided into.

2 – There are 88 recognized constellations.

3 – An asterism is a pattern of stars which is not an official constellation

4 – An example of an asterism is the Northern Cross.

5 – Most of constellations names are based upon ancient Greek culture.



PART 2 – CHINESE CONSTELLATIONS

1 – The Ancient Chinese divided the night sky into 31 regions. There are 28 mansions which our like our 12 zodiac signs.

2 – The Three Enclosures are the Supreme Palace Enclosure, the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, and the Heavenly Market Enclosure. The Three Enclosures are located in the northernmost area of the night sky.

its all i had time for but i guess its better than nothing...

www.wikipedia.com

Part 1
1. A constellation is a group of stars that seem to form a picture in the night sky.

http://www.coldwater.k12.mi.us/lms/planetarium/const-what.htm

2. There are 88 constellations officially recognized nowadays.

http://www.astro.uu.nl/~strous/AA/en/antwoorden/sterrenbeelden.html

3. An asterism is a star pattern that is not one of the 88 constellations Asterisms may belong to a single constellation or consist of stars belonging to different constellations, The Plough(Big Dipper) is an asterism in ursa major, while the summer Triangle is an asterism which include stars from several constellations (Cygnus Lyra and Aquila)

http://www.r-clarke.org.uk/glossary1.htm

4. The Plough is an asterism in Ursa Major

5. Most constellations are based upon the ancient culture of greek

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constellation

Part 2
1. The Chinese divided 1 sun-cycle to 12 sections and the hindus into 60

www.harvard.edu/ECT/Daymarks/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://hea-www.harvard.edu/ECT/Daymarks/

2. Purple Forbidden Enclosure, Supreme Palace Enclosure, Heavenly Market Enclosure
(Cant Find Where)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_enclosures

3.(Cant Find It Too)
4.(Cant Find So Too)

Part 3
1. Former Constellations are Constellations that are no longer officially Recognized

2.
a. Argo Navis- Due To its Large Size, It Was split to Three Constellations
b.Quadrans Muralis- There is an explanation but im tired(Sorry)
c. Polophylax- Cant Find One

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Former_constellations

Well done the three of you. Your grades are:

Ravenclaw

WizKid29 - 26
danamelissabn - 13

Hufflepuff

Hayley - 13


Report:

WizKid overall your answers were correct, it's a pitty you didn't do the question that worth most points or you could have got a really good mark!

Hayley what you did was most correct, it's really better do something than doing nothing, maybe next time you can do more. I'll be waiting.

danamelissabn, if you have doubts where to find information feel free to questioned me or pm, I'll point you out in a good direction. The andwers you actually did were most good. Keep working.

Part 1.
1. A group of stars that form an identifiable picture
2. 88 constellations have been officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union.
3. A group of stars that form an identifiable pattern but do not contain enough stars to be considered a constellation.
4. Most constellations today have a basis in Ancient Greek culture.

Part 2.
1. The Chinese divided the sky into five great regions, corresponding to the cardinal directions north, south, east, west, and middle. From these regions, 28 mansions were created.
2. The Three Enclosures of Chinese astronomy are the Purple Forbidden Enclosure in the northernmost regions of the sky, the Supreme Palace Enclosure to the east and north, and the Heavenly Market of the west and south. These enclosures are divisions of the sky in which major constellations can be found.
3. Ancient Chinese astrologers had a systematic way of naming stars. A star's name was a combination of the "asterism name" and the "number". Each star was assigned to an asterism that related to this name combination, and the number was related to the position in the sky rather than the magnitude. Some stars were named after mythological characters.
4. 1). Heart (Xin): The 5th Mansion, located within the Azure Dragon of the East Quadrant. This particular mansion is preceded over by the moon and has a strong association with the fox. This asterism is composed of three individual stars and partially makes up the Greek constellation, Scorpio. As the moon passes through this mansion, it is considered a poor time to build and a poor day for law officials as most cases resulted in an imprisonment or selling of property. It was also considered extremely unfortunate for a wedding contract to take place as the children would be affected negatively.
2). Willow (Liu): The 24th Mansion, located within the Vermillion Bird of the South Quadrant. This mansion is strongly associated with the deer as its guardian animal and as such is influenced by the earth element. This mansion is also ruled by Saturn and was worshipped during the summer solstice as the symbol for immortality. Containing 8 stars, this mansion is correlated to the Greek Hydra. When the moon passes through the constellation ill fortunate and discord are extremely prevalent. It is encouraged that nothing take place on this day and that funeral ceremonies can be disastrous.
3). Turtle Beak (Zi): The 20th Mansion, within the White Tiger of the West Quadrant. This mansion is ruled by the fire element, overseen by the planet Mars, and is closely associated with the monkey guardian. There are three stars within the asterism, and those three stars are also located within the Greek constellation, Orion. Using this mansion, a prediction would include things that would be considered warnings. This symbol is very much a cautionary one and considered frightful, particularly during Yin years in which a death is likely to occur.

Part 3
1. Former constellations are constellations that are not recognized by the International Astronomical Union.
2. 1). Argo Navis: Found in Ptolemy's original 48 constellations. Is no longer recognized due to its being split into 3 separate constellations: Carina, Puppis, Vela.
2). Quadrans Muralis: The constellation was initially created in 1797 by a French astronomer, but was renamed and reduced in size due to proximity to other constellations in 1801.
3). Tigris: This is an ancient constellation, first recorded around 1612. It was forgotten in Johann Bode's astronomical atlases and was forgotten by later astronomers.

Sources:
http://elderthink.com/spirituality/astrology/chinese_astrology/azure-dragon/heart_azure_dragon.php
http://elderthink.com/spirituality/astrology/chinese_astrology/vermilion-bird/willow_vermilion_bird.php
http://elderthink.com/spirituality/astrology/chinese_astrology/white-tiger/turtle_beak_white_tiger.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_constellations#Three_Enclosures
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constellation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Former_constellations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrans_Muralis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Tigris_(constellation)
http://idp.bl.uk/4DCGI/education/astronomy/sky.html
http://www.chinasage.info/stars.htm

amortentia773 - 94 HP
AlabastorCrowley - 78 HP

PART 1 – CONSTELLATIONS

1 – What’s a constellation?
A constellation is a group of stars that forms a significant pattern or image.

2 – How many constellations are officially recognized nowadays?
The International Astronomical Union currently recognizes 88 constellations.

3 – What’s an ‘asterism’ when we’re talking in terms of constellations?
A cluster of stars that is notable but does not form a constellation; sometimes found within a constellation.

4 – Give an example of an asterism.
The Pleiades within the Taurus constellation.

5 – Most of constellations names are based upon which ancient culture?
Greek

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constellation
https://stardate.org/nightsky/constellations

PART 2 – CHINESE CONSTELLATIONS

1 – How did the Ancient Chinese divide the night sky?
The Ancient Chinese divided the sky into 4 ecliptic regions made up of 28 Mansions.

2 – Tell which are the Three Enclosures and where are they placed in the sky.
The Three Enclosures are the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, the Supreme Palace Enclosure, and the Heavenly Market Enclosure.

3 – Explain the process of Chinese stars naming.
Stars were named in relation to how where they sat to the North Star, The Emperor Star. The Enclosure in which the star sat also distinguished the name apart from other stars.

4 – Choose three of the Twenty-Eight Mansions and write a short essay about them.
1). The Heart Mansion is part of the Azure Dragon of the East and represents its heart. It is composed of three individual stars and makes up the European constellation, Scorpius.
2). The Willow Mansion is within the Vermillion Bird of the South Region and is found its southern areas. This Mansion is large, consisting of 8 individual stars and can be found in the European constellation, Hydra.
3). The Dipper is a northern Mansion within the Black Tortoise of the North. It is made of 6 stars and looks very similar to the Big Dipper. The shape is said to represent the temple in the sky. It is found within the constellation, Sagittarius.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-Eight_Mansions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_constellations
http://www.chinasage.info/stars.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_(Chinese_constellation)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_(Chinese_constellation)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipper_(Chinese_constellation)

PART 3 – FORMER CONSTELLATIONS

1 – What are former constellations?
Constellations that were at one time considered by the IAU, but have since been declassified.

2 – Name three former constellations and if possible explain why there are no longer recognized.
1). Argo Navis - It was in Ptolemy's list of 48 constellations, but has now been split into 3 separate constellations.
2). Quadrans Muralis - Has been since been split into the Bootes and Draco constellations
3). Cerberus - The constellation was originally seen as 3-headed snake that Hercules was holding, but is now simply part of the constellation.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Former_constellations