Constellations from Orion to the Great Bear are taught to most of us at school.
But scientists think Harry Potter’s glasses and Usain Bolt might be more memorable for modern children.
In a bid to get youngsters interested in the night sky, a team from the University of Birmingham have turned away from groups of stars named from Greek and Roman mythology.
These are the star-filled constellations which feature household names like Usain Bolt, Tim Peake and Sir David Attenborough
Instead of difficult Latin names like Canis Major and Ursa Minor, they have now drawn up new constellations called Paddington, Bolt and Potter.. Pictured: Sir David Attenborough
The new star shapes are hoped to give astronomy a boost Pictured: Serena Williams
Instead of difficult Latin names like Canis Major and Ursa Minor, they have now drawn up new constellations called Paddington, Bolt and Potter.
It turns out that if you look hard enough, and use some of the stars from existing constellations, you can see Harry Potter’s glasses, Paddington’s wellington boots and the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, pulling his famous ‘lightning bolt’ pose.
The new star shapes are hoped to give astronomy a boost, as almost three-quarters of children admit they have never looked up at the night sky to find a star constellation, with more than a quarter unable to recognise a single one.
Emma Willett, the physics student who led the University of Birmingham research team, said: ‘The constellations we use at the moment have complicated Latin names and often don’t really look like the things they are named for.
Three-quarters of children admit they have never looked up at the night sky to find a star. Pictured: Usain Bolt
The new constellation is called Sir Mo Farah after the athlete’s famous M sign
‘Cassiopeia, which is supposed to look like an ancient Queen sitting on her throne, is really more like a zigzag.
‘We wanted to create modern versions to help people of all ages develop their interest in space and astronomy and inspire the next generation of astronomers to take an interest in the field.’
The designs, which will be unveiled at the Big Bang Fair for young people in Birmingham in March, include the ‘Attenborough’ which is most visible in April when looking north-north east and appears in the shape of a whale.
Just as popular as Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet programme this winter has been the film Paddington 2, so the constellation ‘Paddington’ is in the shape of the bear’s boots, including the star Bellatrix used for celestial navigation.
The ‘Serena’ firms the shape of a tennis racket which might be held by tennis player Serena Williams and includes the former North Star, Thuban.
Inspiration is at the heart of The Big Bang Fair, where young visitors, their teachers and parents have the chance to get hands-on with engaging STEM activities
Instead of difficult Latin names like Canis Major and Ursa Minor, they have now drawn up new constellations called Paddington (pictured), Bolt and Potter
Researchers also found the ‘Mobot’, named after the signature move of British Olympic runner Mo Farah and the ‘Peake’ in the shape of a spacecraft for astronaut Tim Peake.
The constellations taken from the worlds of sport, entertainment, science and politics are also hoped to be part of British Science Week next year.
A survey of 1,000 children aged seven to 19 found 29 per cent would not be able to recognise a single of the classical constellations, which include Ursa Major, or the ‘Greater Bear’, and Canis Major, the ‘Greater Dog’.
Beth Elgood, director of communications at Engineering UK, which organises The Big Bang Fair, said: ‘Stargazing is a great way to spark young people’s interest in the universe and inspire them to find out more.
‘Inspiration is at the heart of The Big Bang Fair, where young visitors, their teachers and parents have the chance to get hands-on with engaging STEM activities, workshops and shows and discover where science and maths could take them in the future.’
The constellations taken from the worlds of sport, entertainment, science and politics are also hoped to be part of British Science Week next year. Pictured: Potter
Beth Elgood, director of communications at Engineering UK, which organises The Big Bang Fair, said: ‘Stargazing is a great way to spark young people’s interest Pictured: Tim Peake