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Teacher's Guide

Stars andGalaxies

Editors:Brian A. Jerome, Ph.D.Stephanie Zak Jerome

Assistant Editors:Anneliese BrownLouise Marrier

Graphics:Fred Thodal

Lyndsey CanfieldDean Ladago

1-800-453-8481Visual Learning CompanyStars and Galaxies

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Table of Contents2

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25

A Message from our Company

Viewing Clearances

Use and Copyright

National Standards Correlations

Student Learning Objectives

Assessment

Introducing the Program

Program Viewing Suggestions

Video Script

Answer Key to Student Assessments

Answer Key to Student Activities

Pre-Test

Post-Test

Video Review

Vocabulary

Writing Activity

Hubble’s Story

The Sky’s Images

Star Light, Star Bright


National Standards CorrelationsBenchmarks for Science Literacy(Project 2061 - AAAS)

National Science Education Standards(Content Standards: K-4, National Academy of Sciences, c. 1996)

Grades 3-5

Objects in the Sky• The sun provides the light and heat necessary to maintain the temperature of the earth.

Earth and Space Science - Content Standard DAs a result of their activities in grades K-4, all students should develop an understanding of:

The Physical SettingBy the end of the 5th grade, students should know that:

The Physical SettingBy the end of the 8th grade, students should know that:

The Universe (4A):

The Universe (4A)• Telescopes magnify the appearance of some distant objects in the sky, including the moon and the planets. The number of stars that can be seen through telescopes is dramatically greater than can be seen by the unaided eye. • Stars are like the sun, some being smaller and some larger, but so far away that they look like points of light.

• The sun is a medium-sized star located near the edge of a disk-shaped galaxy of stars, part of which can be seen as a glowing band of light that spans the sky on a very clear night. The universe contains many billions of galaxies, and each galaxy contains many billions of stars. To the naked eye, even the closest of these galaxies is no more than a dim, fuzzy spot. • The sun is many thousands of times closer to the earth than any other star. Light from the sun takes a few minutes to reach the earth, but light from the next nearest star takes a few years to arrive. The trip to that star would take the fastest rocket thousands of years. Some distant galaxies are so far away that their light takes several billion years to reach the earth. People on earth, therefore, see them as they were that long ago in the past.


Student Learning ObjectivesUpon viewing the video and completing the enclosed student activities, students will be able to do the following:

• Explain that our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.

• Understand that the Milky Way galaxy is huge and contains billions of stars.

• Defi ne universe as consisting of all the galaxies, matter, time, and energy in space.

• Explain that astronomy is the study of space.

• List some of the tools astronomers use to help them study space, including telescopes and spacecrafts.

• Explain that the sun is our nearest star and is the center of the solar system, around which the planets revolve.

• Understand that chemical reactions within stars give off large amounts of heat energy, as well as light energy.

• Defi ne a light-year as the amount of distance light travels in one year (about 9.5 trillion kilometers).

• Understand that large distances in space are measured in light-years.

• Understand that astronomers use star size, color, and brightness to help classify the wide variety of stars.

• Explain that the life cycle of a star includes birth, growing older, and death.

• Understand that stars possess different characteristics depending on their life cycle stage.

• Explain what constellations are, and provide an example of a common constellation.


The Post-Test can be utilized as an assessment tool following student completion of the program and student activities. The results of the Post-Test can be compared against the results of the Preliminary Test to assess student progress.

The Preliminary Test is an assessment tool designed to gain an understanding of students’ preexisting knowledge. It can also be used as a benchmark upon which to assess student progress based on the objectives stated on the previous pages.

Assessment

Preliminary Test (p. 14-15):

Video Review (p. 18):

Post-Test (p. 16-17):

The Video Review can be used as an assessment tool or as a student activity. There are two sections. The fi rst part contains questions displayed during the program. The second part consists of a fi ve-question video quiz to be answered at the end of the video.


Introducing the Program

Program Viewing SuggestionsThe student master “Video Review” (p. 18) is provided for distribution to students. You may choose to have your students complete this master while viewing the program or do so upon its conclusion.

The program is approximately 14 minutes in length and includes a fi ve-question video quiz. Answers are not provided to the Video Quiz in the video, but are included in this guide on page 12. You may choose to grade student quizzes as an assessment tool or to review the answers in class.

The video is content-rich with numerous vocabulary words. For this reason you may want to periodically stop the video to review and discuss new terminology and concepts.

Before showing the program to your students, ask them to name the nearest star to Earth. Write the word “sun” on the board. Explain to them that the sun is actually a star. Ask students why the sun is important to life on Earth. Also, ask them to identify some characteristics of the sun, our nearest star. Tell students the sun is a huge collection of burning gases and a gas-like substance called plasma. The sun gives off huge amounts of heat and light energy.

Next, ask students if they have ever looked up at the night sky and counted the number of stars they see. Ask them if all the stars look alike and to describe some of the differences they have observed between stars. Write their observations on the board. Explain to students that there are billions of stars in space, thousands of which scientists have studied. Tell students to pay close attention to the video to learn more about the fascinating features of stars and galaxies.


Video Script 1. Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered about what you see? 2. Space contains billions of stars,... 3. … including many different types of stars,... 4. … as well as many galaxies. 5. What are these things? 6. What are some of their characteristics? 7. And, how do people go about studying them? 8. During the next few minutes, we are going to try to answer these questions… 9. … and others as we explore the fascinating features of stars and galaxies.10. Graphic Transition – Galaxies11. If you have ever looked up at a star-lit sky and wondered just how far space goes,

you probably began to develop a sense of just how small Earth is in space.12. Venus, for example, our nearest planetary neighbor, is 40 million kilometers away.13. That’s not too far at all when you consider the star Proxima Centauri is 40 trillion

kilometers from Earth.14. Amazingly, in terms of distances in space, these objects are relatively close to us!15. As you probably know, our solar system is made up of Earth, seven other planets,

and other objects which orbit the sun.16. Our solar system consists of eight planets and other matter which orbit the sun.17. Our solar system, along with billions of other stars, gases, and dust, make up our

galaxy. A galaxy is bound together by gravity.18. You Decide! What is the name of our galaxy?19. We are part of the Milky Way galaxy.20. Our galaxy is huge and contains billions of stars.21. If you go outside on a very clear night, it is possible to see into our galaxy. The

band of white, milky haze is made up of stars and other matter in the Milky Way galaxy.

22. Galaxies come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.23. The universe consists of all the galaxies and all the matter, time, and energy in

space.24. Graphic Transition – Tools of Astronomy25. Due to the huge distances in space, it seems hard to imagine how scientists have

learned so much about the universe.26. Astronomy is the study of objects in space and astronomers are the scientists who

study space. Over the centuries, astronomers have devised many tools to help them better understand space and its objects.27. One of the earliest tools astronomers developed was the telescope, which made

objects in space appear closer and clearer.28. There are many different kinds of telescopes today which can detect various types

of light and energy given off by objects in space.29. For example, this is a large light telescope called a refraction telescope. It uses

lenses to gather and focus light received from objects in space.


Video Script30. Most powerful telescopes are housed in large buildings called observatories.31. Other telescopes have the capability of detecting various types of space-born energy.32. This is a radio telescope located in Puerto Rico. It gathers radio waves received

here on Earth from objects in space.33. In some cases, scientists have placed telescopes on satellites.34. The Hubble Telescope, for example, is a light telescope which is mounted on an Earth orbiting satellite.35. Because it is above Earth’s atmosphere, the images it makes are as much as seven

times more detailed than images generated from telescopes far below on Earth.36. These are just some of the many different tools astronomers use to better

understand space.37. Graphic Transition – What are Stars?38. You Decide! What is the star closest to Earth?39. That’s right, it is the sun. The sun is a star and it is the center of our solar system.40. The sun looks brighter and bigger than other stars because it is so much closer to

Earth than other stars.41. For example, see how bright and large this fl ashlight appears when it is held close-

up.42. But it appears smaller and fainter when it is farther away.43. Like other stars, the sun is a very hot ball of burning gases and a gas-like substance

called plasma.44. Chemical reactions within stars give off large amounts of heat energy, as well as light

energy.45. Much of what astronomers know about stars has been learned by studying the types

of light energy that they give off.46. Stars vary in size, in temperature, and in their distance from Earth.47. If you were to measure the distance that you ran in a race…48. … or the distance you bicycled, you would measure that in kilometers or maybe

miles.49. Astronomers often use units of kilometers to measure shorter distances in space, but

for objects located outside our solar system they use another unit called the light- year.50. Light travels at the amazing speed of 310,000 kilometers per second.51. In one year, light travels about 9.5 trillion kilometers!52. The closest star beyond our sun is the star Proxima Centauri, which is over 40 trillion

miles away – that’s a huge number.53. It is much easier to say the star is 4.3 light-years from Earth.54. The star Rigel, in the constellation Orion, is 910 light-years away. 55. This means that the light we are now seeing from that star left it 910 years ago!56. Graphic Transition – Characteristics of Stars57. For centuries, people identifi ed patterns in the night sky representing people, objects,

and animals.


Video Script58. You Observe! What does this constellation look like?59. This constellation, called Ursa Major, looks like a bear.60. And this constellation, called Orion, looks like a man hunting.61. As we previously mentioned, stars are made up of different gases and a gas-like

substance called plasma, which burn at incredibly high temperatures.62. You have probably felt the hot rays of the sun on your skin on a hot summer day. It

is hard to believe that this energy travels 150 million kilometers before it warms our skin!

63. Astronomers classify stars based on different physical characteristics. 64. When you glance at stars in the sky, they generally appear to be about the same

size.65. But, star size can vary greatly.66. Small stars, referred to as white dwarfs, can be quite small, only a few kilometers in

size.67. Whereas large stars, called giant stars or supergiant stars, could fi ll our entire solar

system as far out as Jupiter.68. Astronomers use star color to estimate star temperature.69. When objects on Earth get very hot, they appear red…70. …and when they get hotter, they appear white…71. …and when they get even hotter, they appear blue.72. Stars are similar, with the coolest ones being red and the hottest appearing slightly

blue.73. Star brightness varies as well. Brightness depends on a star’s size and its

temperature.74. This is just a quick and rather simplistic look at some of the basic features of stars.75. Graphic Transition – Life Cycles of Stars76. Stars are born, grow old, and they eventually die. This general process is referred to

as a star’s life cycle.77. Stars begin their lives as part of a collection of dust and gas called a nebula.78. This is an image of the famous Omega Nebula.79. Over time, gravity pulls the gas and dust together. As this collection of matter

contracts, it gets very dense. Eventually nuclear fusion begins and a star is born.80. A protostar is the earliest part of a star’s life.81. Depending on their mass, stars can live a few billion years to as long as 200 billion

years. 82. When a star nears the end of its life, it often expands to form a giant or even a

supergiant.83. Once a star runs out of fuel, it can take a variety of forms, including a white dwarf, a

neutron star, or a black hole.84. White dwarfs are old, small- to medium-sized stars which glow faintly.85. Neutron stars are giant or supergiant stars which have exploded in a massive,

sudden explosion called a supernova.


Video Script86. The remaining matter then forms a dense neutron star.87. When the most massive stars die, they collapse into black holes.88. While the interior of black holes cannot be seen, the interaction of matter outside

them can be detected.89. The gravitational forces within black holes are so strong nothing can escape, not

even light!90. Graphic Transition – Summing Up91. During the past few minutes, we have explored some of the fascinating characteristics of stars and galaxies. 92. We began by discussing the terms “galaxy” and “universe.”93. We took a quick look at some of the tools astronomers use to study objects in space.94. The basic characteristics of stars were investigated,...95. ...including the life cycle of stars.96. So the next time you look up at a clear night sky,...97. ...think about some of the things we discussed during the past few minutes.98. You just might think about stars and galaxies a little differently.Video Transition – Video Assessment1. ________ is the study of objects in space.2. Earth is located in the Milky Way _____________.3. Stars are hot spheres of burning ______ and plasma.4. Star color can be used to estimate ___________.5. A _______ occurs when a star explodes.


Answer Key to Student AssessmentsPre-Test (p. 14-15) Post-Test (p. 16-17)

Video Review (p. 18) Vocabulary (p. 19 )

1. a - the sun 2. d - galaxy 3. b - Milky Way 4. a - universe 5. c - astronomy 6. d - light energy 7. d - light-year 8. b - plasma 9. a - temperature10. c - nebula11. true12. false13. false14. false15. true16. Our solar system consists of eight planets and other matter orbiting the sun.17. The Milky Way galaxy is a huge collection of stars, solar systems, and other matter. Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.18. The sun appears brighter because it is so close to Earth.19. Constellations are patterns of stars that look like people, objects, and animals.20. Stars can differ from each other based on their size, temperature, and brightness.

1. We are part of the Milky Way galaxy.2. The sun is the closest star to Earth. 3. This constellation, called Ursa Major, looks like a bear.1. astronomy2. galaxy3. gases4. temperature5. supernova

1. Milky Way galaxy2. universe3. astronomy4. telescope5. sun

1. b - Milky Way 2. d - light energy 3. a - temperature 4. d - galaxy 5. d - light-year 6. a - the sun 7. b - plasma 8. c - astronomy 9. c - nebula10. a - universe11. false12. true13. true14. false15. false16. Stars can differ from each other based on their size, temperature, and brightness.17. The sun appears brighter because it is so close to Earth.18. Our solar system consists of eight planets and other matter orbiting the sun.19. The Milky Way galaxy is a huge collection of stars, solar systems, and other matter. Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.20. Constellations are patterns of stars that look like people, objects, and animals.

6. light-year7. star8. protostar9. supernova10. black hole


In Your Own Words (p. 20)

Writing Activity (p. 20)

Answer Key to Student Activities

The solar system in which we live consists of eight planets and other matter revolving around the sun. The solar system, along with billions of other stars and matter, make up the Milky Way galaxy. The sum of all the galaxies, matter, time, and energy in space makes up the universe. Astronomy is the Astronomy is the Astronomyscience that studies space. Chemical reactions within stars give off large amounts of heat and light energy. Much of what scientists know about stars comes from studying the types of light energy light energy lightthey give off. Distances in space are huge. A unit called the light-year is often light-year is often light-yearused to measure large distances in space. Astronomers classify stars based on characteristics such as size, temperature, and brightness. Stars have a life cyclethat involves the birth, growth, and death of a star. Most stars exist for billions of years.

1. A solar system consists of matter, such as planets, revolving around a star. A galaxy consists of many stars, as well as many solar systems.2. A star is a large collection of burning gases and gas-like material called plasma. Stars give off large amounts of heat and light energy.3. Stars differ in their size, color, and brightness.

Hubble’s Story (p. 21-22 )1. Galileo learned that the Milky Way galaxy consists of stars, planets, and other objects.2. Edwin Hubble discovered billions of other galaxies and that the universe was expanding.3. The atmosphere is a mixture of gas and dust that diffracts light, blurring images. It also absorbs infrared and ultraviolet light.4. The Hubble Telescope was launched in 1990. 5. Images are initially stored in the telescope and then transmitted to computers on Earth via a system of satellites.6. One discovery is that black holes exist at the center of most galaxies. A second discovery is that the universe is rapidly expanding.

Star Light, Star Bright (p. 25)1. The closer a star is to Earth the brighter it appears.2. When the light is barely illuminated, the fi lament is a faint red color. As the light becomes brighter, the fi lament changes from red to orange, to yellow, and fi nally to white.3. The difference in brightness between the two fl ashlights is more apparent at 1 meter than at 10 meters.

1.

2. 3.

4.

5.

7.8.

6.

10.

9.

The Sky’s Images (p. 23-24)

Part 1:1. Orion2. Gemini3. Cancer4. Leo5. Linx

6. Big Dipper7. Camelopardalis8. Little Dipper9. Bootes10. Draco

Part 2:Answers will vary.

d. locations

d. protostar

d. light energy

d. microbiology

d. Proxima Centauri

Pre-Test

4. The sum of all galaxies, matter, time, and energy is the:

5. The study of space and its objects is called:

1. The closest star to Earth is:

2. Our solar system, along with billions of other stars, gases, and dust, make up our:

3. Earth is part of which galaxy?

Circle the best answer for each of the following questions.

a. the sun b. Rigel c. Vega

a. universe

c. star cluster

c. Large Magellanic Cloud

d. Small Magellanic Cloud

a. biology b. ornithology

c. galaxy d. star system b. solar system

b. Milky Way

c. astronomy

a. universe

a. Andromeda

b. planetary system d. galaxy

6. Chemical reactions within stars give off large amounts of heat and:

a. life forces b. steam c. ash debris

10. Stars begin their lives as part of a collection of dust and gas called a:

d. hydrogen

d. light-year

7. The distance light travels in one year is called a:

8. Stars are made up of gases and a gas-like substance called:

9. Star color can be used to estimate star:

a. nitrogen

c. new year

a. temperature b. solar systems

c. radiation b. plasma

b. planetary unit

c. galaxies

a. leap year

a. supernova b. black hole c. nebula

Visual Learning Company

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14Stars and Galaxies

Name

Write a short answer for each of the following.

Pre-Test

16. What makes up our solar system?

17. What is the Milky Way galaxy?

18. Why does the sun look brighter than other stars?

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Write true or false next to each statement.

19. What are constellations?

20. How do stars differ from each other?

Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.

All galaxies are the same shape.

Telescopes have not helped scientists learn about objects in space.

All stars are the same size and have the same temperature.

Much of what astronomers know about stars has been learned from the light they give off.


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d. protostar

d. star system

d. Proxima Centauri

d. light-year

d. Small Magellanic Cloud

Post-Test

4. Our solar system, along with billions of other stars, gases, and dust, make up our:

5. The distance light travels in one year is called a:

1. Earth is part of which galaxy?

2. Chemical reactions within stars give off large amounts of heat and:

3. Star color can be used to estimate star:

Circle the best answer for each of the following questions.

a. Andromeda b. Milky Way c. Large Magellanic Cloud

a. universe

c. ash debris

c. galaxies d. locations

a. leap year b. planetary unit

c. star cluster d. galaxy b. planetary system

b. solar systems

c. new year

a. life forces

a. temperature

b. steam d. light energy

6. The closest star to Earth is:

a. the sun b. Rigel c. Vega

10. The sum of all galaxies, matter, time, and energy is the:

d. microbiology

d. hydrogen

7. Stars are made up of gases and a gas-like substance called:

8. The study of space and its objects is called:

9. Stars begin their lives as part of a collection of dust and gas called a:

a. biology

c. radiation

a. supernova b. black hole

c. astronomy b. ornithology

b. plasma

c. nebula

a. nitrogen

a. universe b. solar system c. galaxy


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Post-Test

Write a short answer for each of the following.

20. What are constellations?

18. What makes up our solar system?

17. Why does the sun look brighter than other stars?

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Write true or false next to each statement.

16. How do stars differ from each other?

19. What is the Milky Way galaxy?

Telescopes have not helped scientists learn about objects in space.

Much of what astronomers know about stars has been learned from the light they give off.

Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.

All galaxies have the same shape.

All stars are the same size and have the same temperature.


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Name

1. What is the name of our galaxy?

After you watch the video, test your knowledge with these questions.

While you watch the video, answer these questions:

2. What is the star closest to Earth?

3. What does this constellation look like?

Video Review

You Decide!

You Observe!

You Decide!

1. ___________________ is the study of objects in space.

2. Earth is located in the Milky Way ________________.

3. Stars are hot spheres of burning ___________ and plasma.

4. Star color can be used to estimate ___________________.

5. A ________________ occurs when a star explodes.


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VocabularyUse these words to fi ll in the blanks next to the sentences below.

1.

7.

2.

6.

8.

4.

5.

3.

9.

10.

Wo

rds

The galaxy in which Earth is located.

The sum of all the galaxies, matter, time, and energy in space.

The science involving the study of space.

A tool scientists use to study space.

Earth’s nearest star.

A unit used to measure large distances in space.

A collection of very hot burning gases and a gas-like substance called plasma.

The earliest part of a star’s life.

A massive, sudden explosion of certain types of stars.

The collapse of a massive star possessing an extremely powerful gravitational force, which does not allow matter or energy to escape.

universeMilky Way galaxy

astronomy telescope light-year

sun

starprotostar

supernovablack hole


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2. What is a star and what does it give off?

1. What is the difference between a solar system and a galaxy?

Use the correct word from above to complete the sentences in the following paragraph.

Writing Activity

In Your Own Words

3. What are some of the characteristics that make stars different from each other?

Wo

rds

Wo

rds

Wo

rds light-yearlight-year universe

temperature billions solar systemlife cyclelife cycle galaxygalaxyheat energyheat energy

light

The ____________________ in which we live consists of eight planets and other matter

revolving around the sun. The solar system, along with billions of other stars and matter,

make up the Milky Way _____________. The sum of all the galaxies, matter, time, and

energy in space makes up the ________________. _____________ is the science that

studies space. Chemical reactions within stars give off large amounts of _____________

and light energy. Much of what scientists know about stars comes from studying the types of

_______________ energy they give off. Distances in space are huge. A unit called

the ________________ is often used to measure large distances in space. Astronomers

classify stars based on characteristics such as size, ____________________, and

brightness. Stars have a _______________ that involves the birth, growth, and death of a

star. Most stars exist for ______________ of years.

Astronomy


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Hubble’s Story

Approximately 450 years ago, people thought Earth was the center of the universe. This was based on observations they were making with their own eyes, without the help of tools or instruments. However, this idea began to change in 1610, when Galileo invented the telescope. Scientists quickly learned about the other planets. Galileo realized that the Milky Way galaxy, which everyone thought was a cloud, actually contains stars, planets, and objects.

Telescopes have changed greatly since the simple one used by Galileo and his peers in the 17th century. They have grown in size and complexity. They have also been positioned on tops of mountains, away from city lights, resulting in better views of the night sky. One example is the 100-inch Hooker Telescope, located on Mt. Wilson near Los Angeles, CA, which Edwin Hubble peered through in 1924. At this time, astronomers thought the universe was only made up of the Milky Way galaxy, in which Earth is located. However, while looking through the Hooker Telescope, Hubble saw many other galaxies. He also noticed that the stars were moving away from each other, leading to the conclusion that the universe was expanding and changing.

Although there were many advances in telescopes, their view was still clouded by one thing – the atmosphere. The atmosphere is a thick mixture of gas and dust surrounding Earth. It diffracts light, blurring images. It also absorbs infrared and ultraviolet light, further limiting what astronomers can see. In 1923, a German scientist wrote an article that mentioned the possibility of a rocket propelling a telescope into Earth’s orbit. Twenty years later, an American astronomer wrote a paper on the benefi ts of positioning a telescope above Earth’s atmosphere. In 1969, NASA launched a program to design a Large Space Telescope. Its initial launch date was 1979, but because of budget issues and other delays, it took another 21 years to be ready for space. On April 24, 1990, the Space Shuttle Discovery propelled the Hubble Telescope into orbit around the Earth, enabling astronomers to see images never before seen.

The Hubble Telescope is made up of several large mirrors and cameras. It weighs 24,500 pounds and is 13.3 meters (43.5 feet) long – about the length of a school bus. It travels around Earth at 17,500 mph, taking pictures as it moves. It has already made more than 100,000 trips around Earth and has traveled more than 2.4 billion miles. In this time, it has taken almost 500,000 images. This data is initially stored on the telescope and then transferred to computers on Earth through a system of satellites.

Directions: Read the information below and answer the questions on the next page.


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Hubble’s StoryOne of the main reasons the Hubble Telescope was launched was to help measure the rate at which the universe is expanding, the observation fi rst made by Edwin Hubble 65 years earlier. It is because of this important observation that the telescope was named after Hubble. The Hubble has enabled us to learn that the universe is expanding rapidly. Images captured by Hubble have also helped scientists learn that black holes exist at the center of most galaxies.

One interesting fact about the Hubble Telescope is that it is the only telescope that is serviced by astronauts in space. Any repairs and advancements must be made during a service mission. Since 1990, four service missions have been conducted. The fi fth and fi nal service mission is scheduled for September 2008. Repairs done during this mission are expected to last until 2013, when the Hubble Telescope will be returned to Earth and replaced by the James Webb Space Telescope.

Questions:1. What important discovery did Galileo make using the telescope?

2. What did Edwin Hubble discover in 1924?

3. Why does the atmosphere blur the images seen by telescopes on Earth?

4. When was the Hubble Telescope launched into Earth’s orbit?

5. How do scientists on Earth see images taken by the Hubble Telescope?

6. Name an important discovery that has been made based on data gathered from the Hubble Telescope.


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The Sky’s Images

Background: Have you ever looked at the stars and thought you saw a particular shape or object? It’s likely that you did! Lions, scorpions, men, and women are examples of different shapes that have been identifi ed by stargazers for thousands of years. Most stars are grouped with other stars into formations called constellations. Grouping and naming the stars makes it easier for people to organize the millions of stars that can be seen from Earth. Even though the stars that make up a constellation appear to us to be close to one another, they are actually located light-years apart.

Many of the well-known constellations were named by Greek astronomers and are based on Greek mythology. For example, Orion is named after a mythical Greek warrior and is often referred to as “The Hunter.” Orion is located near Canis Major and Canis Minor. The story is that these are his hunting dogs, which are helping him track Taurus, the nearby constellation that looks like a bull.

There are 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), an organization made up of representatives from countries around the world. The IAU assigns designations to celestial bodies, such as stars and planets. Some groups of stars are not recognized as constellations by the IAU and are called asterisms, such as the easily-identifi able Big Dipper. In this activity, you will identify constellations on a sky chart and learn more about a constellation of your choosing.

Materials:pencilrulergeneral sky chart of the Northern Hemisphere

ActivityPart 1:1. Your teacher will provide you with a general sky chart of the Northern Hemisphere and explain to you how the sky chart works. 2. Several constellations and asterisms are listed on the following page. Use the chart to locate them in the image of the sky, also located on the next page. Reposition the sky chart to help you see the images and be sure to use your imagination!3. With a pencil and ruler connect the stars to form the constellations or asterisms. Part 2:1. Select one constellation or asterism in the chart on the following page to research. 2. Describe the history of the constellation or asterism. Also research its mythical meaning. 3. After completing your research, share your fi ndings. Help your classmates identify your constellation or asterism on the sky chart.


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The Sky’s Images

OrionGeminiCancerLeoLinx

Big DipperCamelopardalisLittle DipperBootesDraco

Constellations and Asterisms


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Star Light, Star BrightBackground: The night sky is fi lled with millions of stars, some of which appear brighter than others. Stars are composed of burning gases and a gas-like substance called plasma. Chemical reactions within stars give off large amounts of heat and light energy. Stars differ from one another in several ways. One difference is star size. White dwarves are small stars, which are generally only a few kilometers in size. Giant or supergiant stars are much larger. However, how big a star appears from Earth is largely determined by its distance to Earth. The sun is not the largest star in the sky, but from Earth it appears to be thousands of times larger than any other star we can see. This is because the sun is located much closer to Earth than other stars. Temperature is also another way stars differ from one another. Astronomers estimate the temperature of stars by observing their color. The coolest stars are red and the hottest stars appear blue. In this activity, you will observe how distance and temperature affect a star’s appearance.

Materials:2 fl ashlights of different size, one brighter than the otherlampclear lightbulb (without frosting on glass)dimmer switchelectrical outletwhite screen

Activity:Part 11. Your teacher will hold the fl ashlight one meter away from the screen. Notice the brightness of the fl ashlight on the screen.2. Your teacher will now hold the fl ashlight 10 meters away from the screen. Notice the brightness of the fl ashlight on the screen.3. Your teacher will repeat steps 1 and 2, holding the two fl ashlights at the same time. Compare the brightness of the two fl ashlights at both distances. Part 21. Plug the lamp, with the clear bulb, into an electrical outlet with a dimmer switch or into a dimmer switch that is connected to an outlet.2. Turn down the lights.3. Turn the light on so that it is just barely lit. Observe the color of the fi lament.4. Gradually turn the dimmer switch up and observe the color of the fi lament as it changes.

Questions:1. How does distance impact the brightness of a star as seen from Earth?2. How does the color of the fi lament change as the bulb becomes brighter?3. Is the difference in brightness between the two fl ashlights more noticeable at 1 meter or 10 meters?


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stars and galaxies guide - gvlibraries.org and... · 15. as you probably know, our solar system is...

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