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Indian languages American Indian culture American Indian art for sale
Stars are also used as a clan symbol in some Native American cultures. Tribes with Star Clans include the Ottawa tribe (whose Star Clan is named Anang.)
Native American Star Gods and Spirits
Fisher Star (Anishinabe)
Morning Star (
The Sky Beings (Blackfoot)
Sohu Kachina (Hopi)
Splinter-Foot Woman (Arapaho)
The Star-Boy (Blackfoot)

Native American Legends About Stars
Women Who Married Star Husbands The Girls Who Wished to Marry Stars The Adventures of Two Water Fairies Who Were Also Weasels:
Mi'kmaq and Chippewa Indian legends about women who married two stars.
Kamaisani:
South American Indian legend about a stingy woman who became a lone star.
How Fisher Went to the Sky Land:
Ojibwe legend about the Big Dipper.
They That Chase After The Bear (A Star Story) Chasing the Bear:
Fox legend about the origin of the constellations.
Waupee and the Star Maiden White Hawk The Star Maidens and the Corona Borealis:
Shawnee legends about a man who married a star.
The Seven Wise Men:
Lenape myth about the origin of the Pleiades.
Splinter Foot Girl:
Arapaho Indian legend about a mythical girl and her family who escape to the sky and become stars.
Falling-Star:
Cheyenne story about a woman who married the Morning Star and gave birth to a star hero.
The Girl Who Married A Dog:
Cheyenne legend about the mother of the Pleiades.
The Quillwork Girl and her Seven Brothers:
Cheyenne myth about the origin of the Big Dipper constellation.
The Hunting of the Great Bear:
Cayuga legend about four hunters, a dog, and a bear who turned into stars.
Coyote Regulates Life After Death:
Caddo legend about the stars and the afterlife.
The Lazy Boys Who Became The Pleiades:
Caddo star myth about the origin of the Pleiades.
Evening-Star and Orphan-Star:
Caddo legend about an abandoned boy becoming a star.
The Girl Who Had Power To Call The Buffalo:
Caddo legend about a star girl who had buffalo power.

Recommended Books of Star Stories from Native American Myth and Legend
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
They Dance in the Sky: Native American Star Myths: Stars of the First People: Native American Constellation and Star Myths:
Two excellent collections of traditional star legends from a variety of tribes.
Coyote and the Sky: How the Sun, Moon, and Stars Began:
Charming children's book by a Pueblo author illustrating a traditional legend about the origin of the stars.
How The Stars Fell Into The Sky:
A lovely picture book illustrating the Navajo version of the myth about the creation of the stars.
Coyote In Love With A Star:
Excellent modern retelling of a classic Prairie Indian folktale, told by a Potawatomi author.
How Spirit Dog Made The Milky Way The Story of the Milky Way:
Picture books based on a Cherokee legend about a dog that spilled the stars.
Coyote Places the Stars:
Children's book depicting a Wasco Indian legend about the origin of constellations.
Keepers of the Night: Native American Stories and Nocturnal Activities for Children:
Excellent collection of Native legends about the night sky, with teaching activities for classroom use.

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Back to Native American legends

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Native American Indian Star Legends from the Myths of Many Tribes

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Indian languages American Indian culture American Indian art for sale Stars are also used as a clan symbol in some Native American cultures. Tribes with Star Clans include the Ottawa tribe (whose Star Clan is named Anang.)

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Read 4 myths about the stars from different tribes and try to identify which map of the sky matches each myth.

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Star watching has occupied humans from the earliest times. Our ancestors studied the night sky and saw shapes and patterns among the stars. They often made up stories to explain what they saw. The same star constellation was seen very differently by people from different countries, or even different parts of the same country. When looking at the constellation Capricornus, for example, the ancient Aztecs saw Cipactli, the Whale. In India, Makaram, an antelope, was seen in the same constellation. The Assyrians thought the constellation looked more like a goat-fish while the ancient Greeks thought it appeared to be a gate for the the Gods to pass through. Below you will find a collection of constellation myths from different cultures as well as pictures of the star patterns which inspired them. Read the myths, then match each with the star picture you think it describes. Once you have finished, check to see which culture(s) saw the same constellations as you do.

1. A Shawnee Indian Myth
A group of young sisters happily danced in a circle in the sky. They were seen from Earth by a brave and magical hunter named White Hawk who wished to have one of them for his wife. White Hawk disguised himself as a field mouse, went to the heavens, and crept close to the dancing sisters. He decided on the youngest one whom he grabbed and took away. White Hawk was very kind to the young girl and she quickly fell in love with him. Though she was happy with her husband, the youngest sister still wished to dance in the sky with her sisters. White Hawk gave her a magical white hawk's feather that allowed her to travel in a silver basket between Earth and the sky. Viewers from Earth always see a gap in the star circle. This is the place reserved for the youngest sister; it can be filled only when she travels to the sky to join the dance.

2. A Greek Myth Cassiopeia, a queen of ancient Ethiopia, was a very beautiful woman. Unfortunately, she was also very vain and spent much of her time bragging about her beauty. She even boasted that she was far more beautiful than the maidens who attended Poseidon, the god of the sea, in his underwater kingdom. When Poseidon's maidens learned of this, they were very angry indeed. The maidens demanded that Poseidon punish Cassiopeia for daring to compare herself to them. Poseidon agreed that Cassiopeia should be punished. He placed her in the heavens to be scorned, not honored. Cassiopeia swings every half night around the North Star. She is seated in a chair, but the chair is placed upside down. Cassiopeia must hang on with both hands to keep from falling out. Her sky position is most humiliating for one who was so proud of her beauty.

3. A Woodland Indian Myth Late in the spring, a bear awakened from its long winter sleep and wandered out of its hillside den in search of food. Soon three hunters spotted the bear and began to chase it. Just like the bear, the hunters were hungry after the long, cold winter. The first hunter carried a bow and arrow with which he hoped to kill the bear. The second hunter carried a big pot in which he hoped to cook the bear. The third hunter came behind the others. He was collecting wood for the huge fire which would be needed to cook such a large meal. All summer the hunters chased the bear through the sky. In the fall, the bear started to get weak and the first hunter was able to shoot it with an arrow. The arrow killed the bear and it fell over on its back. The hunters ate the bear and left its skeleton behind. As fall turned to winter, the weather became colder and colder. The bear's skeleton was still visible in the sky, but the life spirit of the bear had entered a new body -- the body of another sleeping bear. All through the long, cold winter the bear slept. When spring came again, the bear awakened and went out in search of food. Once again it was hunted and killed. Its life spirit entered the body of yet another sleeping bear in the den. And so it happens every year.

4. An East Indian Myth
Long ago in India there were five princes who left their kingdom to search for the kingdom of heaven. They took food and drink for their journey, and Prince Yudistira brought his dog, Svana. Yudistira was the eldest. His brothers were Sahadeva the all-wise, who was learned beyond all men; Nakula the all-handsome, famed for his grace and beauty; Arjuna the all-powerful, who had never been defeated in any contest of arms; and Bhima the all-joyful, known for his good humor and love of pleasure. After many days' journey, the brothers came to a fair where music was playing and people were feasting and dancing. Bhima the all-joyful said to his brothers, "I will rest here today and be happy and seek the kingdom of heaven tomorrow." Yudistira, his brothers, and the dog Svana went on without him. Several days later, the travelers arrived at a large plain where a great army was drawn up in ranks facing the enemy. When Arjuna the all-powerful saw this, he said to his brothers, "I will fight for my country today and seek the kingdom of heaven tomorrow". Yudistira, his brothers, and the dog Svana continued without him. Many days and nights passed. The travelers came to a magnificent palace surrounded by a garden full of flowers and fountains. In this garden, a beautiful princess was walking with her attendants. When she saw Nakula the all-handsome, she was seized with love and longing. Nakula too was struck with love. He said to his brothers, "I will stay with the princess today and seek the kingdom of heaven tomorrow." Nakula went into the garden and Yudistira, his brother Sahadeva, and the dog Svana continued without him. Many weary days and nights later, the travelers came to a great temple where the holy men lived. Sahadeva the all-wise desired to join them in prayer and study. He told his brother Yudistira, " I will stay here today and seek the kingdom of heaven tomorrow." Sahadeva went into the temple and Yudistira and Svana continued without him. At last Yudistira reached Mount Meru, the doorway to heaven. Indra, the Lord of Past and Present, appeared before him and invited him to ascend. Yudistira bowed low and replied, "Very willingly I will do so if I may bring my dog, Svana." "That may not be," said Indra. "There is no place in heaven for dogs. Leave him and enter into eternal happiness."
"I cannot do that," said Yudistira. "I do not wish for any happiness for which I must leave so dear a companion."

"You traveled on without your four brothers," said Indra. "Why will you not ascend to heaven without your dog?"

"My lord," replied Yudistira, "my brothers left me to follow the desires of their hearts. Svana has given his heart to me. Rather than renounce him, I must renounce heaven."

"You have spoken well," said Indra. "Come in, and bring your dog with you." So Yudistira and Svana ascended into paradise. In recognition of their devotion to one another Indra set in the sky the constellation of the Great Dog whose star Sirius is the brightest of them all.

Instructions
In the following pictures you will find the constellation that inspired each of the previous myths. Look at the star groups carefully. Beside each picture, you will find a space in which to enter the number of the myth which you feel describes the constellation. After you have made your choice, press the button to see how your imagination compares with those of stargazers from other cultures.
Pictures of: Ursa Major, Cassiopeia, Canis Major, and Corona Borealis

The StarChild site is a service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Alan Smale (Director), within the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA/GSFC.

StarChild Authors: The StarChild Team
StarChild Graphics & Music: Acknowledgments
StarChild Project Leader: Dr. Laura A. Whitlock
Curator:J.D. Myers
Responsible NASA Official: Phil Newman

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Star watching has occupied humans from the earliest times. Our ancestors studied the night sky and saw shapes and patterns among the stars. They often made up stories to explain what they saw. The same star constellation was seen very differently by people from different countries, or even different parts of the same country.

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The map shows day and night on Earth and the positions of the Sun (subsolar point) and the Moon (sublunar point) right now.

= The Sun's position directly overhead (zenith) in relation to an observer.

= The Moon's position at its zenith in relation to an observer (Moon phase is not shown).

= Civil Twilight (lightest shade)

= Nautical Twilight

= Astronomical Twilight

= Night, no twilight (darkest shade)

Position of the Sun: Subsolar Point

On Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 17:54:00 UTC the Sun is at its zenith at

The ground speed is currently 433.71 meters/second, 1561.3 kilometres/hour, 970.2 miles/hour or 843.1 nautical miles/hour (knots). The table below shows position of the the Sun compared to the time and date above:

Position of the Moon: Sublunar Point

On Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 17:54:00 UTC the Moon is at its zenith at

The ground speed is currently 428.27 meters/second, 1541.8 kilometres/hour, 958.0 miles/hour or 832.5 nautical miles/hour (knots). The table below shows position of the the Moon compared to the time and date above:

Locations With the Sun Near Its Zenith

The following table shows 10 locations with Sun near zenith position in the sky.

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The Day and Night World Map shows the Sun's current position and where it is night and day throughout the world at that point of time.

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Teacher resource on how sun dial works

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In this Mystery, students will learn why our ancestors divided the day into hours and how clocks measure the Sun's apparent movement. Students will make a shadow clock (sundial).

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Lots More Information - For more moon information and information on related topics, check out these links.

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At the end you will come to the page of various other topics of interest!

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From anyplace on Earth, the clearest thing in the night sky is usually the moon, Earth's only natural satellite and the nearest celestial object (240,250 miles or 384,400 km away). Ancient cultures revered the moon. It represented gods and goddesses in various mythologies -- the ancient Greeks called it "Artemis" and "Selene," while the Romans referred to it as "Luna."

When early astronomers looked at the moon, they saw dark spots that they believed were seas ( maria) and lighter regions that they believed was land ( terrae). Aristotle's view, which was the accepted theory at the time, was that the moon was a perfect sphere and that the Earth was the center of the universe. When Galileo looked at the moon with a telescope, he saw a different image -- a rugged terrain of mountains and craters. He saw how its appearance changed during the month and how the mountains cast shadows that allowed him to calculate their height. Galileo concluded that the moon was much like Earth in that it had mountains, valleys and plains. His observations ultimately contributed to the rejection of Aristotle's ideas and the Earth-centered universe model.

Because the moon is so close to the Earth relative to other celestial objects, it's the only one to which humans have traveled and set foot upon. In the 1960s, the United States and Russia were involved in a massive "space race" to land men on the moon. Both countries sent unmanned probes to orbit the moon, photograph it and land on the surface. In July 1969, American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon. During six lunar landing missions from 1969 to 1972, a total of 12 American astronauts explored the lunar surface. They made observations, took photographs, set up scientific instruments and brought back 842 pounds (382 kilograms) of moon rocks and dust samples. What did we learn about the moon from these historic journeys?

Let's take a closer look at the moon. We'll examine its surface features and learn about its geology, internal structure, phases, formation and influence on the Earth.

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From anyplace on Earth, the clearest thing in the night sky is usually the moon, Earth's only natural satellite and the nearest celestial object (240,250 miles or 384,400 km away). Ancient cultures revered the moon. It represented gods and goddesses in various mythologies -- the ancient Greeks called it "Artemis" and "Selene," while the Romans referred to it as "Luna."

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Watch now the craft gets to Mars and lands.

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Fabulous hook for science...leaves you wanting more like a movie trailer!

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This is a 4:13 minute HD dramatic video choreographed to powerful music, which introduces the viewer to our spectacular Solar System. It is designed as a motivational "trailer" to be shown in classrooms by Earth Science, Physical Science and Astronomy teachers in middle school, high school and college as a visual Introduction to the awesome features of our sun, planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids and comets.

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Great videos and information about major objects in the solar system

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Great videos and information about major objects in the solar system

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Our solar system is located in the Milky Way, one of many galaxies in the Universe. All the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction along elliptical, or oval, paths and within a similar plane, called the ecliptic plane. The planets in the inner solar system are close together and mostly composed of rock.