How to Create a Constellation

Constellations are groups of stars that have been given names based on creatures, deities or objects that their patterns resemble, such as Leo the Lion, the Big Dipper, or Orion the Hunter. Just as the ancient Greeks did, we can study the stars and their positions and create constellations of our own.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Typing Paper
• Pencil
• Tracing paper

1. Set out a blanket or chair outdoors and bring your typing paper, tracing paper, and pencil. Don't forget a nice hot cup of hot chocolate. Make yourself comfortable and then get to work.
2. Pick a block of the sky to work with. You can't map out the entire sky because there are more stars than anyone could ever possibly count. Draw the stars and their positions on your typing paper. Take your time so that you get them as close to exactly as they appear in the sky. Use your eraser if you mess up and put the star where you see it.
3. Cover your map of the stars with your tracing paper. Here comes the fun part. Make up your own constellations. To do this think of some animals, objects, or cartoon characters that you like. Can you find any group of stars that could make that pattern? Sometimes you can look at the stars and it will give you an idea. Sometimes you can come up with an idea and then find a group of stars to match.
4. Optional: Use your copy machine to copy your star map. Hand it to a friend with a piece of tracing paper and see what constellations they come up with based on the same set of stars given. Are the constellations similar or did your friend see totally different shapes in the sky?

Tips & Warnings

• This is a great project to do with some friends or a group of people. You can make a night of it and roast marshmallows over a camp fire.
• If you are a child, go outside with an adult or do the experiment in your fenced-in back yard. Make sure you are safe.