Astronomy-- The Sky Around Us

In a dark place on a clear night, you can see around 6000-8000 stars in the sky with your eyes. In Hong Kong, you may see some star only as street lights minimize their brightness.

Acient people grouped star together into constllations and form stories in order to remember stars easily. Each constellations has its own myth.

In 1928, the boundaries of 88 Constellations in the sky were confirmed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). A star normally belongs to a constellation forever unless it moves away or dies.

Among this 88 constellations, 12 of them are most popular. They are Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn.

Aquarius-- Water Carrier

Pisces --Fishes

Aries-- The Ram

Taurus-- The Bull

The myth of Taurus

In Greek mythology, Taurus was Zeus himself. He disguised himself as a white bull in order to attract Europa, Princess of Phoenicia's attention. She climbed on his back. the bull swam away with her. They lived together and had 3 sons. In the myth, the lower part of the bull was sunk in the sea.

Gemini -- The Twins

The myth of Gemini

In Greek mythology, Gemini represented the twins, Castor and Pollux. They born from the egg their mother Leda laid. They grew up and they saved a ship in a storm. They then became 'the amulet of voyager'.

Cancer -- The Crab

Leo -- The lion

The myth of Leo

In Greek mythology, Leo was the ferocious lion that Hercules, the son of Zeus, slew in the first of his labors.

Virgo -- The virgin

Libra --The scales

Scorpio -- The Scorpion

Sagittarius -- An Archer

The myth of Sagittarius

In Greek mythology, Sagittarius is not only an archer but also an centaur, half-human and half-horse. Sometimes Sagittarius is identifed as Chiron, the wisest centaur.

Capricorn(us) -- The Sea Goat