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On a really dark night, you can see between 1000 and 1500 stars. Trying to tell which is which is hard. The constellations help us by breaking the sky into more manageable bits.

1. What is the basis for our view of constellations (who thought to organize the sky this way, how did this relate to their culture and myths, and when did this all develop)?
2. How many constellations are there?
3. Did other cultures see patterns in the night sky? Give examples.
4. What are some of the explanations, purposes, similarities, and differences between these views and the constellations we know?
5. Are the stars in a constellation all the same distance from us?  Explain.
6. Are constellations permanent? Explain your reasoning.
7. What are the different ways stars are named and defined?
8. Given astronomy’s modern advances, are constellations still useful?
9. How do we use constellations today?  What will the sky look like in 20 years?
10. What is one idea of modern astronomy you think will be thought of differently in the future?