Hello dear learners, This is the 3rd part of the star patterns lesson. If you missed part 1, click here. If you missed part 2, click here. 

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The Zodiac

Twelve constellations have been named as the Zodiac. 

• Aries
• Taurus
• Gemini
• Cancer
• Leo
• Virgo
• Libra
• Scorpius
• Saggitarius
• Capricorn
• Aquarius
• Pisces

                      

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The 12 signs of the Zodiac are indicated in 12 stamps in Sri Lanka. 

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Since a sphere has 360° and there are 12 constellations, the space in the sky for each constellation will be 30°.

When the sun is between a particular constellation and the earth, it is said that the sun is in that constellation. 

If you observe the night sky on a clear day, you will see six constellations. For each two hours, one constellation will rise up in the Eastern horizon while another will set down in the Western horizon.

Uses of constellations

• Used to find the direction.

eg: The constellation Ursa minor indicates the Northern direction while Southern cross indicates the South direction.

• The position of a particular planet can be stated.

eg:  By saying that “planet Mars is in the scorpius constellation” means, that the planet can be seen in the area of the sky, which belongs to the scorpius constellation.

•  The appearance of a comet can be predicted.

eg: In 1986 Halleys comet was seen in the area between scorpius and Sagittarius constellations.

•  Constellations help us to identify the direction in which you should observe to see the meteorite rains.

eg: Every year the meteorite shower ‘Leonids’ can be seen in the background of Leo constellation on the 15th November.

The horoscope is predicted according to the constellation which arises in the Eastern direction at the time of birth.

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That's it for now

Hope you learnt something

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