{"id":305951,"date":"2024-06-04T06:00:20","date_gmt":"2024-06-04T06:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/uk\/?p=305951"},"modified":"2024-06-03T13:03:45","modified_gmt":"2024-06-03T13:03:45","slug":"learn-about-cool-constellations-with-the-lego-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/nz\/discover\/science\/space\/learn-about-cool-constellations-with-the-lego-group\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn about cool constellations with The LEGO\u00ae\u00a0Group!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is a constellation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you tried to draw lines between the stars<\/strong> like a dot-to-dot puzzle <\/strong>they might form objects<\/strong>, animals<\/strong> or people<\/strong>. Some of these star patterns are called constellations<\/strong>. They help astronomers <\/strong>divide the night sky into sections, so we know what\u2019s what in the vastness of space<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things you see in the sky can vary depending on the time of year <\/strong>and where in the world<\/strong> you are. Cool, right?<\/p>\n\n\n

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Some famous constellations\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

THE PLOUGH (AKA THE BIG DIPPER)<\/h3>\n\n\n
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This is an awesome starter place for aspiring stargazers! It\u2019s called The Plough<\/strong> because Ancient Greeks<\/strong> thought it looked like an old-fashioned plough <\/strong>with a handle and blade<\/strong>. It\u2019s also known as The Saucepan<\/strong>, which makes more sense to modern eyes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stargazer tip: <\/strong>Look for seven stars<\/strong> that make a saucepan shape <\/strong>in the sky.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

URSA MAJOR<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Known as The Great Bear <\/strong>because it resembles, well, a bear<\/strong>, Ursa Major <\/strong>is the third-largest constellation<\/strong>. It can be seen all year round from the UK<\/strong> and has lots of smaller star patterns<\/strong> within it, including The Plough<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stargazer tip: <\/strong>Once you\u2019ve found The Plough<\/strong>, you\u2019ll have located the bear\u2019s \u2018hindquarters<\/strong>\u2019 (its bum<\/strong>)!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

CYGNUS<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Positioned along the Milky Way<\/strong>, Cygnus<\/strong> is a big standout in the summer sky<\/strong> \u2013 appearing like a swan <\/strong>flapping its wings mid-flight. Pronounced \u201cSIG-NUHS,\u201d ‘Cygnus’ is the Latin name<\/strong> for swan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stargazer tip: <\/strong>Look for three bright stars<\/strong> in a triangle shape<\/strong>! The dimmest<\/strong> of these stars is at the end<\/strong> of the swan\u2019s tail<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

PEGASUS<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Named after the winged horse in Greek mythology<\/strong>, Pegasus<\/strong> is famous for hosting the first found exoplanet<\/strong> \u2013 a planet that orbits a star other than our sun. Epic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stargazer tip: <\/strong>Look for the \u2018Great Square of Pegasus<\/strong>\u2019 \u2013 a distorted square that forms the body of the winged horse<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Top tips for stargazers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n