Constellations

10/10/2020 6:14:00 PM
Image: space.com

Do you know?

  • There are 88 modern constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
  • The list of modern constellations was adopted by the IAU in 1922.

Let's learn more about them!

FACT: The modern constellations have different origins. Most of them are roughly based on the 48 ancient constellations cataloged by the Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy.

Different constellations. Image: space.com

Listen and choose the correct answer to each of the following questions.

  • Which is called a "constellation"?
  • According to the audio, which constellation includes seven stars?

Which is called a "constellation"?

  • a group of clouds
  • a group of shapes
  • a group of stars

According to the audio, which constellation includes seven stars?

  • The Litte Dipper
  • The Big Dipper
  • Orion

Complete the text you are listening to by dragging the correct word to each blank.

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 “.” 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 , 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 group of stars is Orion. Orion was a Greek from long ago. He wore a belt with different tools hanging from it. If you look , 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.

Read and answer the following questions.

Three constellations. Image: giftofcuriosity.com

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.

Source: Daily Warm-ups Reading Grade 4

According to the passage, who was Orion?
  • He was the leader.
  • He was the king.
  • He was a scientist studying constellations.
  • He was a hunter.

Based on the information in the passage, how can you find the North Star?

  • look for the Ursa Major
  • look for Orion’s Belt
  • look for the Little Dipper’s handle
  • look for the constellations towards the north

Why is the constellation named the Ursa Major?

  • Because it is not as small as Ursa Minor.
  • Because it looks like a bear.
  • Because it is one of the tools on Orion’s belt.
  • Because it is a constellation.
What is this passage mainly about?
  • the shape of some constellations
  • the discovery of the Great Bear constellation
  • the position of the North Star and the Orion constellation
  • the formation of constellations and some remarkable ones

Put the right word in each blank. The sentences are from the text.

  1. A group of stars is called a “”.
  2. Another group of stars is Orion.
  3. If you look , you can see Orion’s Belt.
  4. Orion was a Greek from long ago.
  5. Three stars form the , and four stars form the dipper.

Put the right word in each blank. These are new sentences for words in the text. 

  1. The Little Bear is still used by navigators at sea.
  2. She turned the and slowly opened the door.
  3. Cristiano Ronaldo is a football player all over the world.
  4. The followed the tracks of the deer for hours.
  5. He looked again more at the marks.