Constellations and Navigational Tools

Ursa Major is a constellation in the northern sky. Ursa Major also means “Great Bear”, and its

brightest stars form the Big Dipper. As the Earth rotates on its axis, the pattern of stars in the

constellation _________________.

• stays the same

• moves farther apart

• changes shape

Answer explanation

The constellations NEVER move even though they appear to.

Why is Perseus, a constellation see during Winter, not able to be seen in Summer?

• The Earth's tilt

• The Earth's rotation on its axis

• The position of the moon near the Earth

• The Earth's orbit around the Sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is this called?

• Star Chart

• Sextant

• Compass

• Telescope

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

In which season do we see Orion?

• Spring

• Summer

• Fall

• Winter

In which season can you most easily see Ursa Minor?

• Spring

• Summer

• Fall

• Winter

Orion appears to "move" across the sky due to the [CHOICE 1]of the Earth around the Sun coupled

with the [CHOICE 2]of the Earth on its own axis.

• Revolution(1),

  Rotation(2)

• Rotation(1), Revolution(2)

• Revolution(1), Tilt(2)

• Tilt(1), Revolution(2)

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

From November to April in Mississippi, Gemini is a bright constellation visible in the night sky. However, the constellation moves across the sky throughout the winter and is no longer visible by the end of summer.

Which statements correctly explain why Gemini appears to move throughout the seasons? CHOOSE 2

• The stars of Gemini move throughout the year.

• The stars of Gemini travel out of view in the summer months.

• The Earth's revolution around the Sun causes Gemini to appear to move.

• The Moon's orbit of Earth blocks the stars of Gemini from view.

• During the summer months, the stars making up Gemini are positioned behind the Sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What are the four cardinal points on a compass?

• What are cardinal points?

• North, South, East, West

• Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest

• North, Northeast, South, Southeast

What is a compass magnet attracted to?

• Earth's magnetic poles

• Polaris star

When navigating by land or sea, the most reliable and frequently used star is Polaris because of its closeness to the ____________.

• East coast

• South pole

• North celestial pole

• Equator