Stars
Learning Targets
- Students will understand how stars are observed and categorized.
Success Criteria
- I know what a constellation is.
- I know how stars are categorized.
- I can identify several different types of stars.
Questions to Ponder
- Do the stars always stay in the same place each night?
- Are the positions of the stars affected by the Earth's rotation or revolution?
- What are constellations?
The Big Dipper
The Big Dipper is an asterism in the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear). One of the most familiar star shapes in the northern sky, it is a useful navigation tool.
Asterisms are prominent groups of stars that form patterns but are smaller than, or even part of, a constellation. They are usually easy to find because the stars are close to one another and about the same brightness.
Polaris or the North Star is a star in the night sky that is always in the North. The entire field of stars in the night sky seem to rotate around Polaris.
To locate Polaris, all you have to do is to find the Big Dipper pointer stars Dubhe and Merak. These two stars outline the outer part of the Big Dipper’s bowl. Simply draw a line from Merak through Dubhe, and go about five times the Merak/Dubhe distance to Polaris.
Harriet Tubman used the North Star to aid in helping slaves reach the North.
Constellations
- Since the earliest times, people have looked for patterns in the stars. These patterns are called constellations. Different cultures gave different names to the constellations.
- Visit the site to the right to find out more about the constellations.
As you read...
- answer the following questions...
- Why did ancient cultures feel the need to invent stories about the stars?
- Which constellation is your favorite? Why?
Your Own Constellation
- Observe the following image of the night sky.
- Choose several stars and create your own constellation.
- Draw a diagram of your constellation.
- Come up with a name for your constellation.
- Invent a story to explain the significance of your constellation.
Types of Stars
- Are all stars alike? Discover what makes one star different from another.
- Click the link and take notes about the different stars. Include diagrams of each of the star types.
