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Why did ancient cultures make up stories to explain constellations and their movements in the sky?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
My wild guess would be that they probably made these stories up because it helps others get a better understanding of constellations and it also shows that there is background information behind each constellation. With every story that was told about a constellation it keeps people interested and wanting to know more about where constellations came from or what constellations are. Constellations- A group of stars that make distinctive patterns in the sky.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThere were two main reasons.
One was to tell the time. On the short time-scale, the motion of the sun gave the time of day while there were stars or constellations whose positions gave the time at night.
On a longer time-scale, knowledge of the motion of the sun and moon allowed predictions of eclipses as well as spring tides. This was particularly important to many of the ancient civilisations which were often located on sea shores (or river deltas).
The second main reason was that astronomy also provided a navigation tool for early explorers and traders - whether travelling across seas, featureless deserts or unknown regions.
Finally, the ancients did not distinguish between astronomy (a science) and Astrology (a belief). Some "wise" men could discern gods' thinking and counsel their rulers accordingly. Whether or not you accept the scientific validity of that, these men (women were excluded from this elite) made meticulous observations and records which would have been of enormous help to the astronomers.
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