Download Constellations Across the Seasons Astronomy in Navigation and

Constellations Across the Seasons
Astronomy in Navigation and Exploration
Grade Level:
Content Area:
Core Area:
Grade Four
Earth Science
Stars and the Solar System
Lesson Overview:
Stars that are beyond the solar system can be seen in the night sky in patterns
called constellations. Constellations can be used for navigation and appear to
move together across the sky because of Earth’s rotation.
Students should evaluate informational texts, observations, and data collected
about the constellations’ apparent motion and then use this information to
understand the phenomena and support their explanations. This could
include but is not limited to students creating an observation journal
describing where the North Star is and then it’s relation to the major
constellations listed. Students can then use this to support their
understanding and explanation of apparent motion phenomena.
Students should construct explanations using scientific evidence and models
and data communicated in graphs, tables, and diagrams about telescopes,
astrolabes, compasses, and sextants and how they aid in the navigation and
exploration of space. This could include, but is not limited to students
researching the tools and technology and connect their findings to support
how they are important to the navigation and exploration in astronomy.
2005 Standards Correlation:
Grade Four
Astronomy
Standard 4-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties, movements, and
locations of objects in the solar system. (Earth Science)
4-3.5 Explain how the rotation of Earth results in day and night.
4-3.8 Recognize the purpose of telescopes.
2014 Standards Correlation:
Grade Four
Earth Science: Stars and the Solar System
Standard 4.E.3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the locations, movements, and
patterns of stars and objects in the solar system.
Conceptual Understanding: 4.E.3A. Astronomy is the study of objects in our solar system and
beyond. A solar system includes a sun, (star), and all other objects that orbit that sun. Planets in our
night sky change positions and are not always visible from Earth as they orbit our Sun. Stars that are
beyond the solar system can be seen in the night sky in patterns called constellations. Constellations can
be used for navigation and appear to move together across the sky because of Earth’s rotation.
Copyright © 2015 by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina
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4.E.3A.2 Obtain and communicate information to describe how constellations (including Ursa Major,
Ursa Minor, and Orion) appear to move from Earth’s perspective throughout the seasons.
4.E.3A.3 Construct scientific arguments to support claims about the importance of astronomy in
navigation and exploration (including the use of telescopes, astrolabes, compasses, and sextants).
Required Materials:
Materials:
North Star Clock activity sheets
Telescopes: Galileo, Refractor, Reflector, Schmidt–Cassegrain
Astrolabe
Sextant
Material to create astrolabe / sextant
Compasses
Planetarium – DuPont Planetarium, protable planetarium, computer software (Stellarium)
John Masefield quote http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/242552
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
Star Trek - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eXB1Yj05Fw
Make a Star Finder http://www-tc.pbs.org/soptv/400years/files/resources/Making_Using_Family_Star_Finder.pdf
Make a Star Clock - http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/make-a-star-clock/
Make an Astrolabe - http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/AtHomeAstronomy/activity_07.html
Using an Astrolabe - http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/AtHomeAstronomy/activity_08.html
YouTube Video – making astrolabe above https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYRpNOIKRzY
Procedures:
1. Open with quote and video
a. Use John Masefield quote and Star Trek video
b. Describe ways that the North Star may be used for navigation and calendars.
2. Show star and planet motion using a planetarium
a. Locate and identify stars that are grouped in patterns in the night sky.
a. Identify ways people have historically grouped stars in the night sky.
b. Discuss occultations.
c. Discover why Polaris is the North Star; show diurnal motion and visit different latitudes
d. Locate planets, show how they move and compare with stars
e. Play Solar System program: discuss planet order, rates of revolution, orbit eccentricity
3. Create a North Star clock
a. Describe ways that the North Star may be used for navigation and calendars.
4. Have students use different types of telescopes. Explore the differences and discuss
advantages of each.
5. Describe ways that familiar groups of stars may be used for navigation and calendars.
6. Have the students create an astrolabe/sextant and use objects in the room to take
measurements
7. Demonstrate the “Latitude by Polaris” paper plate activity; provide directions or show
streaming video: http://analyzer.depaul.edu/paperplate/Video/clips/LatitudeByPolaris.mov
Copyright © 2015 by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina
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Activities: 7Es, Science and Engineering Practices, and Cross Cutting Concepts
7E
Elicit
Explore
Procedures
• “I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea
and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;”
John Masefield
• How would you steer a tall ship with a star?
• Show star motion using a planetarium
• Locate and identify stars that are grouped in
patterns in the night sky.
• Identify ways people have historically grouped stars
in the night sky.
• Create a North Star clock
Explain
•
Engage
•
•
Elaborate
•
•
Demonstrate what is visible at sunset, sunrise and
midnight.
Discuss occultations.
Describe ways that familiar groups of stars may be
used for navigation and calendars.
Have students use different types of telescopes.
Explore the differences and discuss advantages of
each.
Relate the seasonal change in the appearance of the
night sky to Earth’s position.
Evaluate
•
•
Observation journal for constellation locations
Quality and usability of constructed projects
Extend
•
Model the position of the Sun in the universe, the
shapes and composition of galaxies, and the
measurement unit needed to identify star and galaxy
locations.
Construct explanations for how gravity and motion
affect the formation and shapes of galaxies
(including the MilkyWay Galaxy).
•
Copyright © 2015 by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina
SEPs
Ask questions
CrossCut
Patterns
Analyze and
interpret data
Patterns;
Cause &
Effect;
Plan and
conduct
investigations;
Analyze and
interpret data
Patterns;
Systems &
Models;
Scale,
proportion,
and
quantity
Patterns;
Systems &
Models
Develop and
use models;
Construct
explanations
and design
solutions
Engage in
scientific
argument
from evidence
Obtain,
evaluate, and
communicate
information
Construct
explanations
and design
solutions; Use
mathematical,
computational
thinking
Structure
and
Function
Patterns;
Cause &
Effect
Energy &
Matter;
Structure &
Function
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