Stars of Stars of the Norththe North

Press the <Enter> key to begin and Press the <Enter> key to begin and keep pressing it to proceed through keep pressing it to proceed through the presentation.the presentation.

Alabama daytime.

It’s hot.

No stars.

Actually, the stars are in the sky during the day…

…it’s just that only one of them can be seen during the day.

This one.

This isthe Sun.

The Sun is a star...

…that is so close to us that its light blocks out…

…all the other stars...

…all the other stars...

…which are much further away.

But as the sun starts to set...

But as the sun starts to set...

…and the

Moon...

…starts to come up...

…and slowly...

…slowly...

…the stars come out.

…the stars come out.

…the stars come out.

…the stars come out.

…the stars come out.

Let’s have a look at some of them.

Here’s a group of stars.

You can find these stars easily...

…just about any time of year.

Here’s how.

First, face North.

Now, look up into the sky.

Look for this distinctive shape.

It’s large...

…and it kind of looks like a dipper.

It might be turned any which way....

…depending on the time of day…

…but it’s still the same group of stars.

It might look like this...

…or it might look like this...

…or it might look like this...

…or it might look like this.

The yellow lines aren’t really there...

…we imagine the lines to see the shape.

These stars are known as the Big Dipper.

When you can see the Big Dipper…

…you can use

it to see everything else

in the sky!

Here’s something interesting.

First, find the Big Dipper...

Here it is.

Here it is.

Here it is.

Now look at these two stars.

Now look at these two stars.

These two stars have their own names....

…but together they are called the “pointers.”

Know why?

Because they point…

Because they point…

...to this star.

This is a very important....

…very special star.

Let’s zoom in on this star...

…and see what’s so special about it.

Now we’re “zoomed in” on that part of the sky.

Here’s that special star...

…that we found using the “pointers.”

This is just a small star.

It looks like all the others.

But it’s not.

This special star is called “Polaris.”

All the other stars in the sky slowly move…

…but not this one.

This one stays still...

…and all the other ones spin around it.

We’ve zoomed out again...

Here are the Pointers...

…and here’sPolaris.

Keep your eye on Polaris as we “speed up the clock.”

11 pm

12 am

1 am

2 am

3 am

Let’s see that one more time…

11 pm

12 am

1 am

2 am

3 am

3 am

All night long, Polaris stays put.

3 am

Know why?

3 am Here’s why.

You see, the Earth is in space.

You see, the Earth is in space.

And it’s spinning.

You see, the Earth is in space.

And it’s spinning.

You see, the Earth is in space.

And it’s spinning.

You see, the Earth is in space.

And it’s spinning.

You see, the Earth is in space.

And it’s spinning.

All the way around, once a day.

All the way around, once a day.

All the way around, once a day.

All the way around, once a day.

The Earth turns around its axis.

The Earth turns around its axis.

The Earth turns around its axis.

The Earth turns around its axis.

The axis remains in place...

The axis remains in place...

…and the Earth turns around it.

…and the Earth turns around it.

Also in space are the stars.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ..

Here they are.

Also in space are the stars.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ..

Since you are on the turning Earth...

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ..

Since you are on the turning Earth...

…the Earth seems still to you.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ..

And instead, the stars look like they’re turning.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ..

And instead, the stars look like they’re turning.

It’s really the Earth that’s moving, and not the stars.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ..

So, if you’re on the Earth...

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ..

So, if you’re on the Earth...

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ..

So, if you’re on the Earth...

…and you’re looking at the stars....

.

…it looks like the stars are moving.

…it looks like the stars are moving.

…it looks like the stars are moving.

…it looks like the stars are moving.

…it looks like the stars are moving.

…it looks like the stars are moving.

…it looks like the stars are moving.

Now, back to this star...

…the special one, Polaris…

…the one that doesn’t move.

Here’s the connection:

The Earth is in space...

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ..

…rotating, surrounded by stars.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Some of

them are above the Earth.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Some of

them are above the Earth.

Like these.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Polaris is directly over the Earth’s axis.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Polaris is directly over the Earth’s axis.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Polaris is directly over the Earth’s axis.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Polaris is directly over the Earth’s axis.

Polaris

If you stood directly on the Earth’s North Pole…

If you stood directly on the Earth’s North Pole…

…and looked straight up…

…and looked straight up…

…and looked straight up…

…you’d see Polaris directly over your head.

…you’d see Polaris directly over your head. Polaris

Since Polaris is directly above the Earth’s axis...

…it remains aboveyour head asthe Earth rotatesunder it.

…it remains aboveyour head asthe Earth rotatesunder it.

…it remains aboveyour head asthe Earth rotatesunder it.

…it remains aboveyour head asthe Earth rotatesunder it.

11 pm

That’s why Polaris seems to stay still...

11 pm

...while the other stars rotate around it.

12 am

Like this.

1 am

Like this.

2 am

Like this.

3 am

Like this.

Let’s go back to...

...the original group of stars.

Remember these?

Remember the Big Dipper?

This star.

Notice something...

...odd about it?

Let’s zoom in on this one.

Now we’re zoomed in on that star...

Now we’re zoomed in on that star...

...we see that it is really...

Now we’re zoomed in on that star...

...we see that it is really...

...two stars,

Now we’re zoomed in on that star...

...we see that it is really...

...two stars, very close to each other.

One big...

One big...

One big...

...this one.

And one small...

And one small...

And one small... ...this one.

The big one is called Mizar.

The big one is called Mizar.

Mizar

That’s pronounced like this: <MY-zar>.

Mizar

The small one is called Alcor.

The small one is called Alcor.

Alcor

That’s pronounced like this: <AL-kohr>.

Alcor

They’re usually thought of...

Alcor Mizar

...together.

Alcor Mizar

Like peas and carrots.

Alcor Mizar

Or Mutt and Jeff.

Alcor Mizar

Or Tom and Jerry.

Alcor Mizar

Alcor Mizar

Alcor Mizar

Mizar and Alcor.

We’re zoomed back out again.

Here’s Mizar and Alcor.

Here’s Mizar and Alcor.

Mizar and Alcor...

...are strange names.

They are names from another language.

A language called Arabic.

You see, thousands of years ago...

...in a different part of the world...

...there lived a group of people...

...called the Arabs.

The Arabs did not live in houses...

The Arabs did not live in houses...

The Arabs did not live in houses...

The Arabs did not live in houses...

...and where they lived...

...big trees didn’t grow.

...big trees didn’t grow.

...big trees didn’t grow.

...big trees didn’t grow.

...big trees didn’t grow.

...big trees didn’t grow.

...big trees didn’t grow.

They lived in a desert region...

...and herded animals to survive.

...and herded animals to survive.

...and herded animals to survive.

...and herded animals to survive.

They kept camels.

They kept camels.

They kept sheep.

They kept camels.

They kept sheep.

And they kept goats.

They were interested in the stars...They were interested in the stars...

...and they ...and they named a lot named a lot of them.of them.

The Arabs enjoyedThe Arabs enjoyedlooking at the nightlooking at the nightsky...sky...

The Arabs enjoyedThe Arabs enjoyedlooking at the nightlooking at the nightsky...sky...

...and watching the stars......and watching the stars...

They became veryThey became veryfamiliar with thefamiliar with thestars.stars.

They became veryThey became veryfamiliar with thefamiliar with thestars.stars.

Very Very familiar.familiar.

They knew about horses too.They knew about horses too.

Mizar and Alcor...Mizar and Alcor...

Mizar and Alcor...Mizar and Alcor...

...reminded ...reminded them of a them of a man sitting man sitting on top of a on top of a horse.horse.

So they called So they called these these two two the the "horse "horse and rider."and rider."

There's something There's something elseelse interesting... interesting...

There's something There's something elseelse interesting... interesting...

...about ...about Mizar Mizar and and Alcor.Alcor.

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

Have you ever Have you ever taken an eye taken an eye test...test...

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

Have you ever Have you ever taken an eye taken an eye test...test...

...maybe in ...maybe in a store or in the a store or in the doctor's office?doctor's office?

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

Usually, there's Usually, there's a chart on the a chart on the wall...wall...

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

Usually, there's Usually, there's a chart on the a chart on the wall...wall...

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

Usually, there's Usually, there's a chart on the a chart on the wall...wall...

...and a line ...and a line painted on painted on

the floor.the floor.

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

Usually, there's Usually, there's a chart on the a chart on the wall...wall...

...and a line ...and a line painted on painted on

the floor.the floor.

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

You stand You stand behind the behind the line...line...

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

You stand You stand behind the behind the line...line...

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

You stand You stand behind the behind the line...line...

...and you try to ...and you try to read the letters read the letters on the chart.on the chart.

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

You stand You stand behind the behind the line...line...

...and you try to ...and you try to read the letters read the letters on the chart.on the chart.

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

You stand You stand behind the behind the line...line...

...and you try to ...and you try to read the letters read the letters on the chart.on the chart.

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

You stand You stand behind the behind the line...line...

...and you try to ...and you try to read the letters read the letters on the chart.on the chart.

EEG R MG R MQ F N L T DQ F N L T DP E Z O L C F T D LP E Z O L C F T D L

You stand You stand behind the behind the line...line...

...and you try to ...and you try to read the letters read the letters on the chart.on the chart.

Now we're back at the Big Dipper.

Here's Mizar and Alcor.

Here's Mizar and Alcor.

In the days beforeeye-charts...

...being able to see little Alcor...

...being able to see little Alcor...

...was a test of normal vision.

If you could see Alcor...

If you could see Alcor...

...then you had normal eyesight.

If you couldn't...

If you couldn't...

If you couldn't...

If you couldn't...

It's Gone!

If you couldn't...

...then you needed glasses.

What We CoveredWhat We Covered

Next: Questions!Next: Questions!

What We CoveredWhat We Covered Finding the Big Dipper

Next: Questions!Next: Questions!

What We CoveredWhat We Covered Finding the Big Dipper Finding Polaris

Next: Questions!Next: Questions!

What We CoveredWhat We Covered Finding the Big Dipper Finding Polaris Why Polaris Doesn't Move

Next: Questions!Next: Questions!

What We CoveredWhat We Covered Finding the Big Dipper Finding Polaris Why Polaris Doesn't Move Mizar and Alcor

Next: Questions!Next: Questions!

Question 1Question 1

Question 1Question 11. What is the Big Dipper?

Question 1Question 11. What is the Big Dipper?

a. An imaginary pattern formed by a group of stars.

Question 1Question 11. What is the Big Dipper?

a. An imaginary pattern formed by a group of stars.

b. A set of real connections between a group of stars.

Question 1Question 11. What is the Big Dipper?

a. An imaginary pattern formed by a group of stars.

b. A set of real connections between a group of stars.

c. A star that looks like a horse and rider.

Question 2Question 2

Question 2Question 22. What is special about the star Polaris?

Question 2Question 22. What is special about the star Polaris?

a. It is the only star that moves.

Question 2Question 22. What is special about the star Polaris?

a. It is the only star that moves.

b. It stays put and the other stars seem to go around it.

Question 2Question 22. What is special about the star Polaris?

a. It is the only star that moves.

b. It stays put and the other stars seem to go around it.

c. It is part of the Big Dipper.

Question 3Question 3

Question 3Question 33. Why is Polaris a special star?

Question 3Question 33. Why is Polaris a special star?

a. Because it is in the Big Dipper.

Question 3Question 33. Why is Polaris a special star?

a. Because it is in the Big Dipper.

b. Because it is near Mizar.

Question 3Question 33. Why is Polaris a special star?

a. Because it is in the Big Dipper.

b. Because it is near Mizar.

c. Because it is directly above the Earth's North Pole.

Question 4Question 4

Question 4Question 44. Which stars looked like a horse and rider to the Arabs?

Question 4Question 44. Which stars looked like a horse and rider to the Arabs?

a. Polaris and Mizar.

Question 4Question 44. Which stars looked like a horse and rider to the Arabs?

a. Polaris and Mizar.

b. Mizar and Alcor.

Question 4Question 44. Which stars looked like a horse and rider to the Arabs?

a. Polaris and Mizar.

b. Mizar and Alcor.

c. The Big Dipper.

Question 5Question 5

Question 5Question 55. Which star served as a test of good vision in ancient times?

Question 5Question 55. Which star served as a test of good vision in ancient times?

a. Mizar.

Question 5Question 55. Which star served as a test of good vision in ancient times?

a. Mizar.

b. Polaris.

Question 5Question 55. Which star served as a test of good vision in ancient times?

a. Mizar.

b. Polaris.

c. Alcor.

Question 6Question 6

Question 6Question 66. In what direction can you find the Big Dipper?

Question 6Question 66. In what direction can you find the Big Dipper?

a. In the north.

Question 6Question 66. In what direction can you find the Big Dipper?

a. In the north.

b. Directly overhead.

Question 6Question 66. In what direction can you find the Big Dipper?

a. In the north.

b. Directly overhead.

c. In the east.

AnswersAnswers 1 a 2 b 1 a 2 b 3 c 4 b3 c 4 b 5 c 6 a5 c 6 a

The End Stars of the North