41 6] Recognizing the Stars 



Doctor Zodiac. Their parents generally had a vague notion that 

 the zodiac was concerned with the heavenly bodies, though many 

 were unable to say just what it was. 



The zodiac is an imaginary wide zone in the sky, within which 

 the sun, moon, and planets move. In addition, twelve constellations 

 are considered part of the zodiac, although their boundaries may 

 extend beyond it, and other constellations have at least a few of 

 their stars within it. 



The Signs of the Zodiac: The twelve zodiacal constellations are 

 divided into six northern signs and six southern signs. Here they 

 are, with their Latin names and English translations: 



Northern signs for spring: Aries (the ram), Taurus (the bull) , 

 Gemini (the twins); northern signs for summer: Cancer (the 

 crab) , Leo (the lion) , Virgo (the virgin) ; southern signs for fall: 

 Libra (the balance) , Scorpio (the scorpion), Sagittarius (the 

 archer); southern signs for winter: Capricornus (the goat) , Aqua- 

 rius (the water-bearer) , and Pisces (the fishes) . 



The astronomers of ancient times divided the zodiac into twelve 

 equal parts, and we know these sections as "the signs of the 

 zodiac," with the same names as the twelve constellations of the 

 zodiac. 



Discovering the Constellations 



Although our modern observatories have to be equipped with 

 all the latest refinements in the way of observing, recording, and 

 calculating, you can have the fun of looking for the constellations 

 without resorting to a telescope. 



At the start it is helpful to obtain sky maps or charts giving 

 the positions of the stars for the season in which you are in- 

 terested. You can avoid discouragement if you are aware that 

 even the ever-present constellations are not always in a good posi- 

 tion for study. (When they are near the horizon, some of their 

 stars are too faint for you to see.) 



A youngster will get the best results, and hence the most fun, 

 seeking constellations that are high in the sky. Help him recognize 



