The Zodiac

Zodiac, imaginary belt in the celestial sphere, extending about 8° on either side of the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun among the stars. The width of the zodiac was determined originally so as to include the orbits of the Sun and Moon and of the five planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) that were known to the people of ancient times.

The zodiac is divided into 12 sections of 30° each, which are called the signs of the zodiac. Starting with the vernal equinox and then proceeding eastward along the ecliptic, each of the divisions is named for the constellation situated within its limits in the 2nd century BC.

The names of the zodiacal signs are Aries, the Ram; Taurus, the Bull; Gemini, the Twins; Cancer, the Crab; Leo, the Lion; Virgo, the Virgin; Libra, the Balance; Scorpio, the Scorpion; Sagittarius, the Archer; Capricorn, the Goat; Aquarius, the Water Bearer; and Pisces, the Fishes

Scorpius

Legend has it that a scorpion killed the great hunter Orion by stinging him. The Gods then granted Orion’s dying wish that he never be in the sky at the same time as the scorpion. This is why, if you believe such things, that Orion is the dominant winter constellation while Scorpius the Scorpion dominates the summer nights. Scorpius is a Zodiac constellation, with those born between Oct. 22 and Nov. 21 falling under this astrological sign.

How to find the scorpius constellation:  

 

1.- Venture outside and look to the southwest horizon late on a summer’s evening. This is the optimum time to view Scorpius. Scorpius lies in the Milky Way, the part of our galaxy thick with stars. You will need to be able to get a clear look at the horizon to see all of Scorpius.

2.-Focus your attention on the reddish star Antares. This is the heart of Scorpius. It will be above the horizon and extremely obvious. Antares is what is called a red giant star and is many times larger than our own sun. Antares dominates this area of the sky, with no other stars nearly as luminous anywhere close to it. It is 500 light years from Earth and shines with a steady red hue. Antares means “rival of Mars,” which is a reference to how red it appears in comparison to the red planet.

3.- Glance to the right of Antares to see the head of Scorpius. Five stars make up the head. The constellation Libra is beyond these stars and once was included as the “scorpion’s claws.” The top of Scorpius is like a small curve of stars, with the curve coming back toward Antares.

4.- Look to the southwest of Antares for the rest of the scorpion’s body. The whole of Scorpius has the appearance of a fish hook or a wavy letter “J.” From Antares and down, the stars complete this shape, culminating in the tail of the scorpion. There is a small triangle of stars that form the stinger.

5.-Use binoculars to see the many notable objects in Scorpius. There are several globular clusters, or groups of stars, many light years away held together by gravity. Train your binoculars to the northwest of Antares and you will see a myriad of stars that the naked eye does not see. This part of the Milky Way is rich in stars.

Aries

Is the first sign of the greek zodiac .  Features a line of three stars.2000 years ago, the Spring Equinox occured when the Sun was in this constellation. , marking the beginning of spring.

Aries - Latin for "the Ram"

Aries , the golden ram

The history of the Golden Ram begins when Athamas, king of Orchomenus, had left his wife, to marry Ino, who was a daughter of  the king of Thebes.

In order to secure that her own son would inherit the kingdom, Ino planned the destruction of Athamas'son, Phrixus and his daughter Helle.  Messengers were sent to the Delphic Oracle for guidance. Ino then bribed the returning messengers to change the oracle: Phrixus must be sacrificad. But just as he raised the knife over his son, a golden winged ram appeared, taking Phrixus and Helle on his back and carry them away.

While they were crossing Europe from Asia, Helle fell into the water and die. Phrixus came safely to the country of Colchis on the Black Sea. The people,were kind to Phrixus and their king, Aetes let him marry one of his daughters. In gratitude to god Zeus for having being saved, Phrixus sacrificed the ram and gave his golden fleece as a present, to king Aetes.

How to find Aries in the night sky

Aries, a constellation in the northern hemisphere, is best visible in the winter and autumn skies.

Aries looks nothing like a ram. However, it is possible to identify Aries using some of its neighboring constellations as guides. Aries have one semi-bright star called Hamal. If you can find it, you have basically identified Aries. Hamal is west of of Pegasus and northeast of Taurus. When you spot Hamal, look to the southeast close by for the next star of Aries. After that, look downward from the second star and you will have seen all there is to see of this Aries constellation.

Taurus

Taurus - this constellation takes its name from the Greek Tauros, meaning the Bull.

Taurus, the bull

The constellation Taurus may also allude to the Greek story of Europa and the Bull. Europa was daughter of King Agenor. One fine spring day, Princess Europa went to the seashore to gather flowers. Zeus, who had fallen in love with Europa, seized the opportunity.

Zeus transformed himself into a magnificent white bull and Europa noticed the wonderful white beast, and his misterious eyes.

Europa wove wreathes of flowers for the beast, and wrapped them around his horns. She led him around the meadow, and he was as docile as a lamb. Then, as he trotted down to the seashore, she jumped onto his shoulders. Suddenly, to her surprise and fright, he plunged into the sea and carried the princess to Crete.

As they reached the Cretan shore, Zeus then turned into an eagle and ravaged Europa. She bore three sons, the first of which was Minos.

Minos is said to have introduced the bull cult to the Cretans. He had Daedalus build a labyrinth in the depths of his palace at Knossus, which became the home of the Minotaur Seven young men and seven maidens were ritually sacrificed to the Minotaur until Theseus killed it.

How to find Taurus in the night sky

During the winter months, the Constellation Taurus is located in the night sky of the northern hemisphere.. Taurus is one of the easiest constellations in the sky to identify. Is northeast of Orion the Hunter and appears to actually be charging Orion. It is easily recognized by its V shape. The brightest star found in Taurus is Aldebaran, which forms the eye of the bull when traced in profile, with the Hyades cluster of stars forming the line along the edge of the face. On the western side of the constellation, Beta Tauri and Zeta, two separate star systems both bright and easily visible with the naked eye, form the two horns of the bull.

Gemini

The Summer Solstice occurs when the Sun is in Gemini (21 to 22 June). A prominant constellation above Orion.

Gemini - "Gemini" is the Latin translation of the Greek Didymoi, "the Twins." 

Gemini, the Twins

Pollux and Castor were twin brothers. They were the twin sons of a mortal woman Leda –they had different fathers. Pollux was a son of the chief Olympian god Zeus, and was immortal. Castor, however, was the son of a mortal man, and so he could die.

Their love and devotion for one another was legendary, and they never separated from one another.
The story goes that one day in battle, Castor (the mortal brother) was about to die. So Pollux asked his father, Zeus, for the permission to die along side of Castor. It was Pollux's great desire that the brothers might remain united even in death.Instead of allowing Pollux to die, Zeus decided that the two brothers would now share in the immortality of Pollux and remain together forever.

How to find Gemini in the night sky

The Twins are best seen during the winter and spring in the Northern Hemisphere.If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, look for Gemini in the summer. 

Gemini is very easy to find because is one of the few constellations that actually looks like the figure it represents. Just look for the two bright stars that are almost side by side called Castor and Pollux.They represent the heads of the twins.Gemini is right between Cancer and Taurus.
Remember that Gemini is more than these two stars. Depending on your point of view, you can perceive Gemini as two somewhat straight lines connected at the top. The rest of the stars in Gemini flow down in two lines towards the hunter Orion.

Cancer

Is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for crab and it is commonly represented as such. Its symbol is  (Unicode ♋). Cancer is small and its stars are faint. It lies between Gemini to the west and Leo to the east, Lynx to the north and Canis Minor and Hydra to the south.


Mythology
Cancer the giant crab, plays a minor role in the Twelve Labors of Hercules. While Hercules was busy fighting the multi-headed monster, Lernaean Hydra, the goddess Hera, who hated her step-son Hercules, sent the Crab to distract him. Cancer tried to kill Hercules, but Hercules kicked Cancer so hard that the crab was sent into the sky.
By other accounts, Cancer grabbed onto the hero's toe with its claws, but barely breaking the rhythm of his great battle with Hydra, Hercules crushed the crab with his foot. Hera, grateful for the little crustacean's heroic but pitiful effort, gave it a place in the sky; but none of its stars were bright because the crab had failed to accomplish its given task. Some scholars have suggested that Cancer was a late add-on to the myth of Hercules to make the Twelve Labors correspond to the twelve signs of the Zodiac.

How to find Cancer in the night sky

Cancer (the Crab)- This is the single hardest constellation to find in the night sky. It requires a completely dark sky. The constellation itself looks like an upside-down "Y". The best way to find Cancer is to find Taurus and Gemini, draw a line through them and continue on to the left until you come to a big empty spot in the sky (it won't take long). The big empty spot is Cancer!

Leo

 Is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for lion. Its symbol is  ( ♌). Leo lies between dim Cancer to the west and Virgo to the east.


Mithology
The Persians called Leo Ser or Shir; the Turks, Artan; the Syrians, Aryo; the Jewish, Arye; the Indians, Simha, all meaning "lion". In Babylonian astronomy the constellation was called UR.GU.LA - the 'Great Lion'; the bright star, Regulus, that stands at the Lion's breast also had distinctly regal associations as it was known as the King Star.

In Greek mythology, Leo was identified as the Nemean Lion which was killed by Hercules during one of his twelve labours, and subsequently put into the sky.

The Roman poet Ovid called it Herculeus Leo and Violentus Leo. Bacchi Sidus (star of Bacchus) was another of its titles, the god Bacchus always being identified with this animal. However, Manilius called it Jovis et Junonis Sidus (Star of Jupiter and Juno).

Early Hindu astronomers knew it as Asleha and as Sinha, the Tamil Simham.

How to find Leo in the night sky
Leo (the Lion)- Using the same method you just used to find Cancer, keep tracing that line until you hit a backward question mark followed by a triangle. This is the stately Leo. The bright star at the end of Leo's tail is Denebola, which means "the tail". If you cannot find Taurus and Gemini, use the Big Dipper to help you find Leo. Use the two pointer stars that help you find the Little Dipper, only this time trace them away from the North Star. These two stars will lead you to the triangle part of Leo.