Constellations and Zodiac Signs - Class VIII

• Constellations and zodiac signs are explored
• The presentation was created by Sharan Bindroo, Asiya Khan, and Jahnavi Verma from Class VIII C.

Constellations Defined

• A constellation is a group of stars forming an image.
• Constellations depict stories from hundreds of years ago.
• Constellations are groups of stars visible in a particular area of the night sky.
• Stories originated with poets, farmers, and astronomers over the last 6,000 years.

Constellation Facts

• There are 88 total constellations.
• Some constellations move throughout the year.
• Mars is located between one of the constellations.
• Every constellation has a story about its origin and meaning.
• Constellations are named after Greek and Babylonian rulers from the 15th century CE.
• Viewers on the equator can see all constellations in a year.
• Viewers on the North Pole can only see part of the sky.
• Constellation stories often depict hunters, warriors, queens, kings, birds, bears, horses, and other figures.
• Some constellations are not visible all the time because they are up in the sky during the day.

History of Constellations

• There are 88 officially recognized constellations with a long history.
• Forty-eight constellations are considered ancient, originating from the Greeks, Babylonians, and earlier people.
• Charting of the sky's southernmost parts occurred after the 15th century due to discoveries and navigation.
• Modern astronomers discovered another 48 constellations.
• Modern constellations were invented to fill large gaps in the sky with dim stars.

Constellation Case Studies

• Draco the dragon is one of the constellations that resembles its name.
• Draco was said to guard the golden apple tree in the Hesperides garden.
• Grus, the Crane, was often referred to as flamingo.
• The ancient Egyptians used the Crane as a symbol of the astronomer because of it high flight.
• Leo is the Nemean Lion, killed by Hercules.
• Legend says that the Leo, the lion, had impenetrable hide.
• Hercules strangled the ferocious beast to death, to the relief of the local people.
• Ursa Major contains the Big Dipper and small dipper.
• Ursa Major is also known as the Great Bear and is in the northern hemisphere.
• Ursa Major contains seven Messier objects, including a double start, a planetary nebula, an irregular galaxy, and four spiral galaxies.
• Indus is a constellation in the southern hemisphere.
• Indus was observed by Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman.
• The constellation was mapped by Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius.
• Indus was first depicted in Johann Bayer's "Uranometria" in 1603.
• The name "Indus" means "the Indian".
• Indus is illustrated as a man holding arrows without a bow, implying hunting.
• It's unclear if Indus refers to a native of the East Indies or the Americas.
• Hydra is known as the Sea Serpent.
• Hydra is visible in the southern hemisphere.
• Hydra is best seen between January and May.
• It represents a giant water snake, the largest constellation in the sky.
• Hydra was a giant beast with a dog's body and 100 snake-like heads.

Zodiacs

• Zodiac is a coordinate system of twelve "signs".
• The zodiac is based on twelve constellations, used in astronomy and astrology.
• Aries is from March 22 - April 20.
  • Aries are known to be curious, energetic, enthusiastic, and extremely action-oriented.
  • Aries positive traits include adventurous, courageous, versatile, lively, positive, and passionate.
  • Aries negative traits include, arrogant, stubborn, impulsive, Indiscipline, Confrontational and have a tendency to leave projects mid-way.
• Taurus is from April 20 - May 20.
  • Taurus are known to be reliable, practical, ambitious, sensual, have a good eye for beauty, have good finances and are efficient financial managers.
  • Taurus positive traits include generous, dependable, down to earth, patient, independent and persistent.
  • Taurus negative traits include stubborn, self-indulgent, lazy, materialistic, possessive, and frugal.
• Gemini is from May 21 - June 21.
  • Gemini are known to be clever, intellectual, tense, and restless.
  • Gemini positive traits include adaptable, versatile, enthusiastic, eloquent, witty, and intellectual.
  • Gemini negative traits include inconsistent, superficial, indecisive, lack of focus, and nervous.
• Cancer is from June 22 - July 23
  • Cancer Individuals are known to be complex, fundamentally conservative, home-loving people, who love to be in familiar surroundings and nurture their relationships.
  • Cancer positive traits include imaginative, intuitive, loyal, loving, emotional and protective.
  • Cancer negative traits include Moody, pessimistic, clingy, overemotional, suspicious and being a born nagger.
• Leo is from July 24 - August 23
  • Leos are known to be warm, action-oriented, driven by the desire to be loved and admired, and have an air royalty about them. Leo's love to be in the limelight and love to make a career in the performing arts.
  • Leo positive traits include kind and big-hearted, energetic, optimistic, straightforward and loyal.
  • Leo negative traits include egoistic, possessive, dominating, impatient and arrogant.
• Virgo is from August 24- September 22.
  • Virgos are know to be quiet and undemonstrative, introverted, have waters that run deep, wise, witty, well spoken, have a good understanding of human nature and affectively help people solve their problems.
    • Virgo positive traits include meticulous, intelligent, practical, analytical, reliable and modest.
  • Virgo negative traits include overcritical, fussy, fastidious, harsh, conservative and judgmental.
• Libra is from September 23 - October 22
  • Libra's are know to be Kind and gentle, they are lovers of beauty, harmony and peace and attractive people who rarely say no to anyone.
  • Libra's positive traits include tactful, romantic, charming, just, diplomatic and balanced.
  • Libra's negative traits include superficial, detached, unreliable, laid-back, Indecisive and Self-indulgent.
• Scorpio is from October 23 - November 22
  • Scorpios are known to be mysterious, strong willed, grab the limelight, accomplish their goals and possess a magnetic charm.
  • Scorpio Positive traits include determined, fearless, poised, loyal, ambitious, and intuitive.
  • Scorpio negative traits include jealous, secretive, resentful and controlling.
• Sagittarius is from November 23 - December 20
  • Sagittarius are known to be mysterious, strong willed, grab the limelight, accomplish their goals, possess a magnetic charm and can not be ignored.
  • Sagittarius positive traits include determined, fearless, poised, loyal, ambitious, and intuitive.
  • Sagittarius negative traits include jealous, secretive, resentful and controlling.
• Capricorn is from December 22 - January 20
  • Capricorns have a sign of stability, calmness and maturity, are sensitive, sensible Secure in their own space, don't take mindless decisions, and take well-calculated risks to get what they want.
  • Capricorns positive traits include practical, ambitious, prudent, disciplined, patient and cautious.
• Capricorns Negative traits include pessimistic, stubborn, shy, self-centered, detached and moody.
• Aquarius is from January 21 - February 19
  • Aquarius are known to be Strong, attractive, think abstract, practical with a willingness and capacity to accept people. - Aquarius positive traits include friendly, humanitarian, intelligent, inventive, independent and loyal. - Aquarius include Unpredictable, inconsistent, detached, stubborn, Aloof, and Extremist
• Pisces is from February 20 - March 20
  • Pisces includes Generous, emotional souls, quite popular in their social circles genuine friend, values human relations the most and puts the people he loves above everything else.
  • Pisces positive traits include imaginative, kind, compassionate, intuitive, sensitive and selfless.
  • Pisces negative traits include escapist, idealistic, weak-willed, Over-sensitive, pessimistic and lazy.

Individuals and their Zodiac Signs

• Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Abdul Sattah Edhi, Jim Carey, Elvis Presley, and Mr. Bean's character are Capricorns.
• Engr. Abul Kalam, Imran Khan and Walt Disney are Sagittarius'.
• Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and Akon are Aries.
• Nelson Mandela, Tom Cruise, Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, and Princess Diana are Cancer zodiac sign.
• Mother Teresa and Michael Jackson are Virgo zodiac sign.
• Queen Elizabeth, William Shakespeare, Mark Zuckerberg and David Beckham are Taurus Zodiac signs.
• Leonardo Da Vinci and Sylvester Stallone are Zodiac Aries.
• Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs and Aamir Khan are Pisces.
• Bill Gates and PELE are Scorpios.
• Leonardo DiCaprio is a Libra.
• Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp are Geminis
• Barack Obama and Roger Federer are Leos.
• Abraham Lincoln and Cristiano Ronaldo are Aquarius