Before Q+A Livestream

Watch Motions of the Solar System

• Watch the Motions of the Solar System planetarium show on Edpuzzle. (Click the title to go to video)

  • At pauses in the recording, write or draw your observations, ideas, and questions on a piece of paper or document.

You may preview all of the prompts embedded throughout the show by downloading your preferred file type: PDF, Word doc, or Google Doc.

• • To continue the planetarium show, click the "Continue" button.

Create and Collect Questions

1. Discuss with your class your observations, ideas, and questions.

2. As a class, narrow down the questions to the top 3 questions to submit.

After Q+A Livestream

Choose an activity below and spend 10-30 minutes on it. Then, share your results with your class or family.

Option A: Explore the night sky on your own with https://stellarium-web.org/

(Date and time are located in the bottom right-hand corner. Click on the date and time to move time forward or backwards)

• What direction does the Sun rise on the 1st of every month of 2021?

  • Create a table with your findings.

• What time will the Moon be setting on February 17, 2021?

• Can you find where in the night sky Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are at 8pm on February 17, 2021?

  • If you can not find a planet, what time will the planet rise in the East?

Option B: Creative Writing

• Observe the star patterns of the night sky either outside or in these images:

• Pick one portion of the night sky: North, South, East or West

• Connect the stars, like connect the dots.

• Use your imagination to create figures and shapes in the sky.

• Create a story about those figures and shapes. (For example: Are they friends? Are they on an adventure? Is there a great battle in the sky?)

Option C: Observe the Moon (10 mins for 3-4 nights/week)

• Each night or day go outside at the same time and look for the Moon.

• Copy or Print the Moon Observation Worksheet

  • Draw the Moon you observe.

  • Write down the time and date.

  • Describe what you notice about the Moon.

• After a couple of days, discuss with your family or class:

  • Where did you see the Moon each night? Was it in the same or different place?

  • How did the Moon’s appearance change over the days/nights?

  • What part of the sky did you observe the Moon?

(This activity has been adapted from JPL-NASA Observing the Moon Activity)