Topic: Earth and Space Sciences - Earth’s Place in the Universe

Exploring Constellations

Grade Range: Middle School Lesson Time: 40 minutes

Key Terms Materials and Resources

Constellation

Helium

Hydrogen

Perspective

Star

Calculator

Exploring Constellations worksheet

Research materials (Internet and textbooks)

Suggested model materials (styrofoam balls,

pipe cleaners or wire)

Activity Overview

“Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are!” Have you ever thought about what a star is actually made

of? When you look at the stars at night, do you stop to think about what those beautiful constellations are made of?

Students will analyze two stars, the Sun and the North Star, and two constellations, Orion and the Big Dipper.

Students will build scale constellation models in order to investigate the relative distances of stars from the Earth.

Finally, students will imagine that they are aliens from another planet who view constellations from a different

perspective.

Essential Questions

1. What makes a star a star?

2. Are all stars the same?

3. Why are constellations not always in the same place in the sky?

Objectives

● Investigate the compositions of stars and constellations

● Analyze various constellations to determine relative distances of the stars from Earth

● Explore different perspectives of constellations

Introduction

Ask the students to explain what a star is made of. Students will share their ideas. Then tell the students to raise

their hands if they have gone stargazing before. Ask the students to name different constellations.

zSpace Activity

Activity Questions Provided in Studio

Answers may vary. Sample answers are provided below.

© 2017 zSpace, Inc. All Rights Reserved Exploring Constellations 1

Topic: Earth and Space Sciences - Earth’s Place in the Universe

1. “Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are!” Most likely, you have heard this popular lullaby

before. You have probably also gazed at the stars, searching for specific constellations. But have you really

thought about what the stars and constellations are made of? Let’s take a closer look at both.

2. A star is a ball of hot gases, mostly hydrogen and helium, that produces its own light. Believe it or not, the

Sun is a star. It is the center of our solar system and the main source of energy for all life on Earth. What kind

of energy do we get from this important star?

The Sun provides solar energy in the form of visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and infrared radiation. This

energy is reflected or absorbed, and then converted into heat, which warms the Earth.

3. Here is the North Star, also known as Polaris. Of course, this is not to scale. The diameter of the North Star is

actually 30 to 50 times larger than that of the Sun. The North Star is the brightest star close to the Earth’s

North Pole. Why do you think the North Star has often been used for navigation?

The North Star has been used for navigation because it helps people identify which direction is north.

4. A constellation is a group of stars that form a picture when you imagine lines connecting them together.

Typically, constellations are named after a common object, an animal, or a mythological character. Here is

the Big Dipper. This is the view that we see from Earth. Move the constellation to the side. Are the stars

arranged in a flat, 2D image of the Big Dipper? Why or why not?

No, the stars are not arranged in a flat, 2D image of the Big Dipper because they are all located at different

distances from the Earth.

5. The stars within a constellation are located at different distances from the Earth. The distance between the

stars and the Earth is measured in light years. Let’s view the Big Dipper from the side to see which stars are

the closest to and farthest from the Earth. Does the constellation still look like a big dipper from this side

view? Why or why not?

This constellation does not look like a big dipper from this side view because the stars are in different

placements than what we see from Earth.

6. Imagine you are an alien who observes the Big Dipper constellation from this side view every day. Connect

the stars with these lines to create a new image from this alien perspective. Rename the constellation and

take a photo of your new creation.

Answers will vary. Photo.

7. Here is the Orion constellation, including his body and belt. It was named after a hunter in Greek mythology.

This is the view that we see from Earth. Move the constellation to the side. Is it easy or hard to see Orion’s

body shape without the lines? Explain your answer.

It is hard to see Orion’s body shape without lines because the stars are at all different distances. Even if you

turn the constellation a little bit, the view of Orion’s body changes.

8. Now let’s view Orion from the side to see which stars are the closest to and farthest from Earth. Turn on the

Labels to see the name of each star in this constellation. Which star is the closest to Earth? Which star is the

farthest from Earth? Hint: To add Labels, click the right stylus button and choose Labels.

The star in Orion that is closest to Earth is Bellatrix. The farthest star from Earth is Alnitak.

9. Once again, imagine you are an alien who observes the Orion constellation from this side view every day.

Connect the stars with these lines to create a new image from this alien perspective. Rename the

constellation and take a photo of your new creation.

Answers will vary. Photo.

Closing

Constellation Models

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Topic: Earth and Space Sciences - Earth’s Place in the Universe

Research a constellation of your choice using the Internet and textbooks. Record the name of each star in the

constellation and its distance in light years from Earth on the Exploring Constellations worksheet. Then, build a scale

model of your chosen constellation using the provided materials. Use a calculator to help you determine and

represent the relative star distances to scale. Present your constellation model to the class, making sure to explain

the perspective seen from Earth.

New Alien Perspectives

Imagine you are an alien living on another planet. Switch constellation models with another student and view your

classmate’s constellation from another perspective—for example, turned 90 degrees to the left. Draw the new

perspective of this constellation on paper. Connect the dots to display a new object, animal, or mythological

character, and then give your classmate’s new constellation an appropriate name. Finally, share the new

constellation diagram with the class.

After listening to all presentations, students will share what they liked about each other’s constellation models or

new alien perspectives.

Questions for Discussion

1. Based on your observations and research, are constellations 2-dimensional, meaning that all of the stars

within the constellation are the same distance from Earth?

No, constellations are 3-dimensional. The stars within a constellation are at different distances from Earth.

2. Would constellations look the same for aliens in outer space?

No, aliens in outer space would see the constellations from a different perspective.

Extension Activity: Students could read stories about constellations, such as myths about how people believed

constellations were formed

Extension Activity: Students could research how stars are created

Extension Activity: Students could research what causes a shooting star

Differentiation

● Provide paper copies of diagrams for students to use as a reference

● Allow students to provide answers that are handwritten, typed, or verbal

● Give students a variety of presentation styles to choose from (using charts/graphs, PowerPoint, making 3D

presentations, creating videos/movies, making posters)

● Use text-to-speech if needed

● Enrichment: Students could change an additional variable in the activity and look for patterns

● Enrichment: Students could research similar topics and create presentations

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