Astronomy Tools and Constellations

This navigational tool measure the height of the horizon to an object in space to help explorers plot their location. 

• astrolabe

• compass

• sextant

• telescope

When would an astronomer most likely use a telescope? 

• to view the types of clouds in the sky

• to study the characteristics of a planet in our solar system

• to measure the amount of sunlight Earth receives

• to view objects across the ocean

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Why do constellations appear to "move" throughout the year? 

• stars rotate in the sky

• Earth's rotation 

A student observed the constellation Orion at 9 o’clock at night. She looked again at 11 o’clock and noticed that Orion was in a different part of the sky. Why did it seem to move?

• Earth rotated and now faced a different part of the sky.

• Earth revolved to a different part of the sky.

• Orion revolved to a different part of Earth’s sky.

• Orion rotated and faced a different part of the sky.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

In the a diagram of Earth in its motion around the Sun. Points A and B represent different constellations. Which constellation will someone in the Northern hemisphere be able to see in the winter?

• A because it is in the night sky above the horizon.

• B because it is in the daytime sky above the horizon.

• A because it is in the night sky below the horizon.

• B because it is in the daytime sky below the horizon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The star called Polaris is also called the North Star. Navigators once used it to find directions at night because it does not seem to move. Most other stars and constellations move across the sky at night. Ursa Minor and Ursa Major seem to spin around Polaris during the night.

Why does Polaris not seem to move during the night?

• Because it is located directly above the North pole.

• Because it is fixed in the sky.

• Because Ursa Minor does not move.

• Because Ursa Major does not move.

The instrument in the image is called a sextant. It can measure the position of Polaris above the horizon as shown. Why is this important to navigation?

• It can be used to predict time.

• It can be used to determine direction.

• It can be used to determine latitude.

• It can be used to determine speed.

Which of the following is the best argument for the claim that telescopes are important for the study of astronomy?

• Telescopes help us predict the position of the moon and stars.

• Telescopes allow us to see objects in the sky that we cannot see without them.

• Telescopes help us find the latitude of a location.

• Telescopes help us predict the time of sunrise and sunset.

Which object in the image most represents a star?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.5-ESS1-1

NGSS.5-ESS1-2

Due to Earth's tilted axis and revolution around the Sun, Orion can best be seen during the _______ night sky.

• Spring

• Summer

• Winter

• Fall

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1