Northern Spring

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Northern Spring Constellations
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The Spring Sky
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Bootes
Bootes the herdsman rides through the sky
during the late spring and early summer. Modern
star gazers like us see this constellation as a
kite. The Romans called bootes the Herdsman of
the Septemtriones, that is, one of the seven oxen
represented by the seven stars of Big Dipper.
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Cancer

• Cancer is known as the crab. It is best seen
  during march. This constellation came from a
  Greek myth. In the story of Hercules and the
  Twelve Labors, the warrior had a great battle
  with the monster Hydra. The giant crab tried to
  help Hydra, but Heracles smashed it with his
  foot. Hera put the crab in the sky because it was
  so brave.

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Crater

• Crater is known as the cup. It is best seen
  between March and June. The stories about Crater
  come from Greek myth. It is said that Corvus, the
  crow, was sent by Apollo to get some spring
  water. He took the cup to fill, and came across a
  fig that wasn't quite ripe. He waited for it to
  turn ripe, which made him late on his return. He
  brought a serpent with him and told Apollo that
  it attacked him and that was why he was late.

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Hydra

• Hydra (the water snake) is the longest
  constellation in the sky and largest in terms of
  area. In Greek mythology, Hercules slew Hydra, a
  horrible serpent with many heads that grew back
  as soon as they were cut off. Killing the Hydra
  was one of Hercules' twelve labors, during which
  he also defeated Leo, the lion, and Draco, the
  dragon.

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Leo

• The constellation Leo is known as the lion.
  During the dry season in ancient Egypt, the lions
  of the desert came close to the valley of the
  Nile when the river flooded, which used to happen
  when the Sun was in Leo.

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Virgo

• Virgo is known as the Maiden. The constellation
  represents almost every famous and powerful
  female in mythology, including Athena, Artemis,
  Persephone and Demeter. She is usually carrying a
  grain of wheat and a staff.

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Quiz Question 1

• Which constellation do star gazers see as the
  kite?

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• Bootes

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Quiz Question 2

• Which constellation came from the story of
  Hercules and the Twelve Labors?

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• Cancer

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Quiz Question 3

• Which constellation says Corvus, the crow, was
  sent by Apollo to get some spring water. He took
  the cup to fill, and came across a fig that
  wasn't quite ripe?

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• Crater

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Quiz Question 4

• What constellation (in terms of area) is the
  longest in the sky?

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• Hydra