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Quiz about Mythtaking the Constellations
Quiz about Mythtaking the Constellations

Myth-taking the Constellations Quiz

Many people love to look up at the night sky to see the stars and trace the constellations that they form. Trace your way through this quiz about the stories behind some of these star formations.

A multiple-choice quiz by Caseena. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
Caseena
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
324,769
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
434
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
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Question 1 of 10
1. Jason and the Argonauts sought the Golden Fleece of a ram. What constellation represents this ram? Hint


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Question 2 of 10
2. During one of Heracles's labors, Hera sent a creature to distract him. Heracles stepped on this animal, killing it. For its efforts, Hera placed it in the sky. What is this creature? Hint


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Question 3 of 10
3. One constellation depicts a rather unusual sacrifice that a woman made for the safe return of her husband from war. Which one of the following represents the hair that Queen Berenice cut off? Hint


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Question 4 of 10
4. Apollo sent a crow to fetch water in a vase. Rather than coming back with water, the crow Corvus returned with a creature in its claws; disappointed, Apollo put the crow, the cup, and the creature into the sky. What mythological creature did Corvus bring back instead of water? Hint


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Question 5 of 10
5. Many myths are associated with Scorpio. In one story, the scorpion was sent to kill the hunter who pursued the Pleaides nymphs. The scorpion succeeded, and the hunter and the scorpion were placed in the sky as far apart as possible so that there would be no more trouble between them. Which hunter does Scorpio still chase across the sky? Hint


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Question 6 of 10
6. In one famous story, Perseus saved Andromeda, daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, from being eaten by Cetus. He did this by turning Cetus to stone with the severed head of the Gorgon Medusa. When Perseus beheaded Medusa, a winged mythological creature came out of the blood. What creature sprang forth? Hint


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Question 7 of 10
7. According to one myth, Aphrodite and Eros transformed into animals and jumped into a river to escape from a monster. So that they wouldn't lose each other, they tied their tails together. What constellation represents these two? Hint


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Question 8 of 10
8. In one myth, this constellation represents the god who brought civilization from the sea to the land. In another, it portrays a god who tried to transform underwater. The half of him under the water changed into a fish, but the half above remained a goat. Who is it? Hint


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Question 9 of 10
9. Castor and Pollux were twins--one was mortal, the other immortal. When Castor died, Pollux asked Zeus to make his twin immortal. To honor this request, Zeus placed the two of them in the sky together. What constellation did they become? Hint


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Question 10 of 10
10. This constellation depicts, according to different ancient civilizations, the goddess of fertility, the goddess of justice, and a virgin. In books, she is sometimes shown holding Libra, the scales, in her hand. Who is she? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Jason and the Argonauts sought the Golden Fleece of a ram. What constellation represents this ram?

Answer: Aries

 The four constellations that comprise Argo, the ship, are nearby. Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac. Grus is a crane, Capricorn is the sea goat, and Vulpecula is a fox.
2. During one of Heracles's labors, Hera sent a creature to distract him. Heracles stepped on this animal, killing it. For its efforts, Hera placed it in the sky. What is this creature?

Answer: Cancer (the crab)

 Because it failed in its mission to distract Heracles, Cancer was given no bright stars. Cancer contains a star cluster called the Beehive, which resembles a beehive and a swarm of bees.
3. One constellation depicts a rather unusual sacrifice that a woman made for the safe return of her husband from war. Which one of the following represents the hair that Queen Berenice cut off?

Answer: Coma Berenices

 Queen Berenice of Egypt gave up her hair, which was placed in the sky. Lyra is a lyre, Canes Venatici is a pair of dogs, and Ursa Major, which contains the Big Dipper, is a bear.
4. Apollo sent a crow to fetch water in a vase. Rather than coming back with water, the crow Corvus returned with a creature in its claws; disappointed, Apollo put the crow, the cup, and the creature into the sky. What mythological creature did Corvus bring back instead of water?

Answer: Hydra

 Hydra, the sea serpent, is the largest constellation. Hydra does not depict the hydra that Heracles killed during one of his labors. Leo is a lion, Delphinus is a dolphin, and Heracles is a mythic hero.
5. Many myths are associated with Scorpio. In one story, the scorpion was sent to kill the hunter who pursued the Pleaides nymphs. The scorpion succeeded, and the hunter and the scorpion were placed in the sky as far apart as possible so that there would be no more trouble between them. Which hunter does Scorpio still chase across the sky?

Answer: Orion

 In ancient times, what is now Libra formed Scorpio's claws. In the sky, Orion is seen next to his two dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor, while fighting the bull Taurus. Japanese tales view Orion as a drum or a kimono sleeve instead of a hunter. Bootes is a herdsman, Cepheus is a king, and Columba is a dove.
6. In one famous story, Perseus saved Andromeda, daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, from being eaten by Cetus. He did this by turning Cetus to stone with the severed head of the Gorgon Medusa. When Perseus beheaded Medusa, a winged mythological creature came out of the blood. What creature sprang forth?

Answer: Pegasus (the horse)

 Pegasus shares a star with Andromeda. Andromeda even looks like it could be Pegasus's back legs. According to myth, Pegasus opened up a spring that continually feeds inspiration to poets. Perseus, Andromeda, Cetus, Cepheus, and Cassiopeia are also constellations.
7. According to one myth, Aphrodite and Eros transformed into animals and jumped into a river to escape from a monster. So that they wouldn't lose each other, they tied their tails together. What constellation represents these two?

Answer: Pisces

 They turned themselves into fish. Pisces is located in an area of the sky that contains other water constellations, including Aquarius, Capricorn, Cetus, and Piscis Austrinus. Although the Sun used to rise in Aries during the vernal equinox three thousand years ago, precession of the Earth's axis has caused the vernal equinox to come in Pisces. Lacerta is a lizard, Corona Borealis is the northern crown, and Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda depict the head and tail of a snake--Serpens is the only constellation that is divided into two pieces.
8. In one myth, this constellation represents the god who brought civilization from the sea to the land. In another, it portrays a god who tried to transform underwater. The half of him under the water changed into a fish, but the half above remained a goat. Who is it?

Answer: Capricorn

 The tropic of Capricorn was named after this constellation because it marked the southernmost point that the Sun reached on the winter solstice. However, due to the shifting of the Earth's axis, the Sun now reaches its southernmost point in Sagittarius. Draco depicts a dragon, Auriga represents a charioteer, and Sagittarius is the archer.
9. Castor and Pollux were twins--one was mortal, the other immortal. When Castor died, Pollux asked Zeus to make his twin immortal. To honor this request, Zeus placed the two of them in the sky together. What constellation did they become?

Answer: Gemini

 These two joined Jason and the Argonauts in the journey for the Golden Fleece. In most myths, they were actually half-brothers instead of twins, sharing a mortal mother. Pollux's father was Zeus and Castor's was a mortal king. Libra represents the scales, Ophiuchus is the physician, and Eridanus depicts a river.
10. This constellation depicts, according to different ancient civilizations, the goddess of fertility, the goddess of justice, and a virgin. In books, she is sometimes shown holding Libra, the scales, in her hand. Who is she?

Answer: Virgo

 Virgo is the second largest constellation in area. The brightest star, Spica, is supposed to represent wheat or corn. Cassiopeia is a queen and the mother of Andromeda, Lepus is a rabbit, and Crater is the vase that Apollo sent with Corvus to fetch water.
Source: Author Caseena

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LadyCaitriona before going online.
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Referenced Topics
People   Humanities   Animals   Something in Common   Mythology Mixture   People With Comminalities   Fish   Mythology: Something in Common   Rivers   Lizards   Japanese Language   Rabbit   Poets   The Sun   Zeus   Lions   Egypt   Goat  

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