How to Learn the Constellations Online

Learn the constellations of the night sky and have great conversations while camping.

Constellations can play an important role in navigation and they make an interesting conversation topic while camping. Each constellation tells a story, from Orion's belt to the great bear, and each pattern of stars has a mythology behind it. This makes for great storytelling around the campfire, or as a way to pass the time while stargazing.

Instructions

1. Go to StarDate.org (see Resources). This site has 88 different constellations that appear in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and provides you with the location and shape of the constellation along with the story that goes along with it. In addition, the site has formal lessons, classroom activities and guides for teachers.

2. Download Astroviewer (see Resources). This site offers a free night sky map that you can install on your computer. Once installed you can use it to display the night sky for any time of the night and from any position on the planet. This program will help you to learn the names of the constellations, the planets and the stars.

3. Use Astronomy (see Resources). This site provides you with online audio and video tours of the constellations as well as downloadable wallpaper designed to help you learn names and locations. There are articles about the constellations and how their positions change throughout the seasons.

References

• StarDate:Teachers
• Astronomy: Constellations
• AstroViewer: Constellation Software

Resources

• StarDate: Teachers
• AstroViewer: Constellation Software
• Astronomy: Constellations