Constellation and Bright Star Identification Activity

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to be able to identify 10 of the following constellations. You are also responsible for any bright stars in those constellations. (There is a trade-off, here. On the one hand, not doing the one with bright stars means less to learn. But those constellations are harder to find!) You will show Aditya or I (probably me) these guys at some night session.

You are also responsible for show me the meridian, the ecliptic and the celestial equator, as well as the "pointer stars" in the big dipper. (Note that if you do Ursa Major, you have that already taken care of!)

After you're done, choose 3 constellations to do a short write-up on. For each, tell me what is interesting about that constellation (interesting stars, objects found within the constellation, etc) as well as the story behind that constellation. Note that you needn't choose the Greco-Roman stories! Chinese, Native American, Celtic, Mayan, etc. are all more than acceptable. (Encouraged even!)

Enjoy!