Outcome 2: Constellations
How many stars make up Orion's belt?
3
How many times the distance between the pointer stars is it to Polaris?
5 times
How many constellations are there?
88
If you were looking at the Orion constellation at 8pm, at 7pm where would the constellation have been?
A bit to the left because the Earth rotates counter clockwise.
If you were looking at the Orion constellation at 8pm, at 9pm where would the constellation have been?
A bit to the right because the Earth rotates counter clockwise
Why does Polaris not seem to move in the night sky?
Because it is directly above the North Pole. It is the pivot point of a spinning sphere.
Why different constellations visible only during certain seasons?
Because of the Earth's orbit around the sun.
In what position is the Big Dipper at midnight in the Fall?
Below Polaris with the Dipper facing up.
Which star is visible on the left shoulder of the constellation Orion?
Betelgeuse - A red super giant
If you had a time lapse of the circumpolar constellations, what shape you see?
Circular shape rotating around Polaris
What are circumpolar constellations?
Constellations that can be seen year round and rotate once every 24 hours around Polaris.
Which direction does the earth rotate?
Counter-clockwise
Fall position of the Big Dipper at midnight
Directly below the North Star with the dipper facing up
Where does the word "constellation" come from?
From "con" meaning "together / with" and "stellar" which means "star". So constellation means "stars together"
In the past, what were constellations used for?
Navigation (North Pole), a calendar knowing when to plant and harvest, religion (primarily Greek and Roman Gods)
Does the Southern Hemisphere use the North Star?
No, they use the Southern Cross to locate the South Pole.
What are the two stars called at the tip of the Big Dipper's bowl?
Pointer stars.
If the Little Dipper is pointing down at 9pm, in what position would it be at 3am?
Pointing to the right because the Earth rotates counter clockwise.
What star is visible on the right foot of Orion?
Rigel - A blue super giant
We no longer use Polaris for navigation. What do we use now?
Satellites - man made stars
What is the brightest star in the night sky?
Sirius in the constellation Canis Major
Which constellations are not usually associated with myths and why?
Southern constellations because the European explorers, not the Greeks, named them.
In which constellation would you find the North Star?
The Little Dipper (Ursa Minor)
What is visible just below Orion's belt also known as Orion's sword?
The Orion Nebulae. A nursery for about 700 new stars.
Why do the constellations appear to move in the night sky?
The rotation of the Earth on its axis.
What are constellations used for today?
To locate specific stars, galaxies and nebulae.
What are the 4 major circumpolar constellations?
Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Draco
Are there stars in the sky during the day?
Yes, but we can't see them because the light from the sun is too bright.
Betelgeuse is an old star about to supernova. Will we be able to see it when it does?
Yes, we will even be able to see it during the day and it will be brighter than the full moon at night.