La Lune et Le Coq

A moon and a rooster struggle to get what they want.

I have always been fascinated in Astronomy and the sky as a child. I thought for this animation about using constellations as physical objects to be tossed at what is much like an alarm clock. Originally I researched what actual constellation pieces, such as Orion’s Belt or Aquarius’ pot, could be tossed at the sun. However, I when I stumbled upon the “Big Dipper” as a hurled object, mostly because people associate it with a cooking pot or ladle, it actually turns out to be the bottom of the bigger constellation, Ursa Major, a large bear. More curious, I then discovered through more research that many constellations have changed their shapes or have been “phased out” by scientists due to various reasons over the century.

Star charts will always change it seems. So I thought, “What is a constellation anyway?” By definition, it has evolved from recognizing celestial patterns to the more modern sky area mapping. But what does it mean to you? Is the Big Dipper a kitchen tool or a bear’s bottom? Is Pluto still a planet in your eyes? Though the main story is focused on the relationship between the moon, rooster and sun, this short animation subtly explores my thoughts on constellations by starting out with the Big Dipper and leading viewers into modern day objects that could be potentially discovered in the night sky.