Lesson CCXXVIII

Aldebaran and the Pleiades

Leading thought—The Pleiades seem to be a little misty group of six stars, but instead there are in it three thousand stars. Half way between the Pleiades and Orion’s belt is Aldebaran, an ageing ruddy star.

Method—Draw the diagram (p. 895) on the blackboard showing Orion, Aldebaran and the Pleiades, and the lines B, C, D. Give an outline of the observations to be made by the pupils, and let them work out the answers when they have opportunity. Each pupil should prepare a chart of these constellations.

Observations—1. Imagine a line drawn from Rigel to Betelgeuse and then another line just as long extending to the west of the latter at a little less than a right angle, and it will end in a bright, rosy star, not so red as Betelgeuse.

2. What is the name of this star? Write it on your chart.

3. Can you see the figure V formed by Aldebaran and four fainter stars? Sketch the V and show where in it Aldebaran belongs. This V-shaped constellation is called the Hyades.

4. Imagine a line drawn from Orion’s belt to Aldebaran and extend it to not quite an equal length beyond it, and it will end near a “fuzzy little bunch” of stars which are called the Pleiades. Place the Pleiades on your chart.

5. How many stars can you see in the Pleiades?

6. Why are they called the seven sisters?

7. How many stars in the Pleiades which are named, and how many does photography show that there really are in the group?

8. How far apart from each other are the nearest neighbors of the Pleiades?

9. What do the astronomers think about the Pleiades and why do they think this?