Constellations

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered about the stars? Did you know that these stars have been there since long before you were born? People have looked at the stars in the night sky for millions of years. Some of these stars seem to be in groups that form shapes. A group of stars is called a “constellation.” Names were given to these groups of stars.

The best known group of stars is the Big Dipper. It is a group of seven stars. Three stars form the handle, and four stars form the dipper. The Big Dipper is actually part of a bigger group of stars called the Great Bear, or Ursa Major. Some say that this big group of stars forms the shape of a bear.

Another well-known group of stars is Orion. Orion was a Greek hunter from long ago. He wore a belt with different tools hanging from it. If you look closely, you can see Orion’s Belt.

The Little Dipper is a group of stars that looks a bit like the Big Dipper. The North Star sits at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle.