Last modified: November 11, 2022
The Sky at Night
**In your Google Classroom, Science, you have been given five constellation assignments. The information you need to complete those assignments are below.
Quick links to view (not complete) the assignments:
- 1. (View Only, Constellation Assignment)
- 2a. (View Only, Create a Constellation Myth)
- 2b. (View only, Create a Constellation Drawing)
- 3. (View Only, Constellation and the Seasons)
- 4. (View Only, Constellation “Think” Questions)
Final assignment, Create “Constellation Cards”
Go outside some clear evening. Bring along a blanket. Spread out the blanket and lie down. Look at all the stars you can see. Quite a beautiful sight, isn’t it!
Stars spread out across the sky. But, did you know that there are patterns to be seen? We call these patterns “constellations.”
You are going to learn about constellations. And, when you have finished this WebQuest, you will know all about constellations. And, you will never look at the stars in quite the same way!
What is a Constellation?
When we talk about constellations, do you know what they are? Your first assignment is to find a definition of constellations. This website will give you that definition. What are constellations?
Where Did Constellations Come From?
Knowing what a constellation is is great! How did they get there? Visit this site for a history of constellations. Where did constellations come from?
Navigating With the Stars
Did you know that there was a time when ancient sailors had to know the stars to help them get to their destination? When you’re in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight, you had to have something help you get where you’re going to. The sailors used the stars to help them travel. Your assignment is to learn; identify constellations, stars, planets and learn how to navigate at night. When you’re done, continue with the WebQuest. Click on the icon below to learn about navigation.
Once constellations were created, there was a problem. How did they get there? Myths were developed that explained how the constellations go into the sky. You have been assigned a constellation. Complete the Constellation Assignment in Google Drive.
(View Only, Constellation Assignment)
Below is an example of what your drawing of the constellation should look like. Include the stars, the lines connecting them, and the outline of what they represent.
Use this website to get the basic information about your constellation:
- Andromeda
- Aquila
- Aquarius
- Aries
- Cancer
- Canis Major
- Cassiopeia
- Cassiopeia – The Elk Skin
- Corvus
- Delphinus
- Delphinus – The Slingshot Stars
- Draco
- Gemini
- Hercules (Heracles)
- Hydra
- Leo
- Lepus
- Lyra
- Orion1
- Orion2 – The Hand
- Orion – The Wolf and Crane
- Pegasus
- Perseus
- Pisces
- Sagittarius
- Scorpius
- Ursa Major1
- Ursa Major2
- Ursa Major3
- Ursa Major4
- Sagittarius
- Hydra
- Ursa Major5
- Delphinus
- Ursa Minor – The Rattlesnake
- Cancer
- Ursa Major4
Now that you understand how the constellations got into the sky, and the myths that explain how they got there, you have the second part of your assignment.
Your assignment is to Create a Constellation and Myth. Your constellation has to represent something that is familiar to people today.
To do this assignment, you will need to follow the instructions in the beginning slides. After you create your constellation, write your myth that explains how your constellation got into the sky.
Constellations and the Seasons
If you go outside different times of the year, you will see different constellations. Why? Complete this worksheet and you’ll have the answer!
Use www.kiddle.co to search for the answers to the questions in this assignment.
Different Constellations, Different Times
If you could see the constellations when the Sun was in the sky, what would it look like? Here’s a movie that shows the Sun’s path through the constellations during the year.
You are now ready to complete the Constellation “Think” Questions portion of the worksheet.
Look at these websites to see what constellations are visible during which season:
- Spring Constellations
- Summer Constellations
- Autumn Constellations
- Winter Constellation
Finally …
There are two important groups of constellations, the twelve constellations in the Zodiac and Circumpolar Constellations. The circumpolar constellations are seen all year long. These are important constellations because you can find planets here!
Your final assignment is to make “Constellation Cards” for each Circumpolar constellation and each constellation in the Zodiac. Your teacher will provide you with blank index cards.
For the Circumpolar Constellations, On the front, you will draw a picture of what the constellation looks like. On the top of the card, you will write “Circumpolar Constellation.” On the bottom, you will write the name of the constellation (both Latin name and English name).
For the Zodiac, you will draw a picture of what the constellation looks like. On the top of the card, you will write which season you can see the constellation. On the bottom, you will write the name of the constellation (both Latin name and English name).
On the back, you will write facts about your constellation. Information you will want to include can be (but is not limited to) the following: brightest stars, constellation myth, deep sky objects found in the constellation, etc. Here are examples of what the cards may look like:
Here are some websites that can help you:
- North Circumpolar Constellations
- Locating the Circumpolar Constellations
- Hawaiian Astronomical Society – Deep Sky Index
- AAAA’s Constellation Home Page
Finished!
Congratulations. You’ve just completed this WebQuest. You are now a constellation guru! Way to go.
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