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Astronomy Year / Week 08 / Friday
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Week 08 · Orion the Hunter

Friday

The Swan and the Harp
// A winter giant and a summer triangle
⏱ about 15 min

Friday: The Swan and the Harp

Raven traces a cross of stars. "What do you notice? It looks like a flying bird!"

"Or a big cross," Rocket says.

Nova flaps her wings. "Hint: it is both! A swan and a cross."

Cygnus the Swan

Cygnus is the Swan.

People also call it the Northern Cross.

Deneb sits at the Swan's tail.

Lyra the Harp

Lyra is a small star group, the Harp.

Vega is its brightest star.

Vega is one of the easiest stars to find.

SWAN AND HARP
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
What is another name for Cygnus?
Which star sits at the Swan's tail?
PICK TONIGHT'S TARGET
  • Tap a card.
  • Then tap its spot.
1First
2Next
3Then
4Last

A river of stars

On a dark summer night, look at the Swan.

A faint band of light runs through Cygnus and Aquila.

That band is part of the Milky Way.

You will learn more about it in week 11.

SWAN AND HARP PRACTICE
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
What is Lyra?
What is Vega's star group?
Is Vega easy or hard to find?
The faint band through Cygnus is part of what?
Swan factTrue or false?
Cygnus is also called the Northern Cross.?
Deneb is at the Swan's head.?
Vega is in Lyra.?
Orion is a summer star group.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEKnowing the summer groups helps when Orion is not up.
Try it
With dots on paper, make a cross.
Make the long line the Swan's neck and tail.
Make the short line its wings.
Put Deneb at the tail.
Draw Cygnus as a swan. Put Deneb at the tail.

Your plan is ready! Tomorrow night: Orion or the Summer Triangle.

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