Constellations: Patterns in the Sky

What You'll Learn

Constellations are patterns of stars that ancient cultures used for navigation and storytelling. The Big Dipper, Orion, and the Southern Cross are well-known constellations.

Key Words

star
planet
asteroid

Materials Needed

tape
pencil
ruler
compass
black paper

Safety First

Adult supervision recommended.
Do not taste any materials.
Wear safety goggles when mixing liquids.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2 — Do

Time how long it takes for a shadow to move 10 cm. Use this to calculate how fast Earth is rotating.

Step 3 — Observe

Note any unexpected results and think about why they happened.

Step 4 — Record

Share your findings with the class or a partner and discuss what you learned.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is a light-year?