Patterns of Earth and Sky

Use the information and your knowledge of science to answer the question: Observers on Earth see different star constellations depending on the time of year. The arrows on the diagram point to the part of the sky that is visible overhead for observers on Earth at different times of the year. Select the constellation on the star diagram that will most likely be visible in April.

• Virgo

• Cancer

• Capricornus

• Aries

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

How does the rotation of the Earth affect the shadows cast on it?

• It causes the shadows to disappear

• It changes the length and direction of the shadows daily

• It has no effect on the shadows

• It causes the shadows to remain constant in length and direction

Why are certain stars only visible in the night sky during specific months?

• The stars move around in space

• The stars change their brightness

• The Earth's position changes in its orbit around the Sun

• The stars disappear during certain months

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Part A: What happens to shadows as the Sun rises higher in the sky?

• They lengthen

• They shorten

• They disappear

• They change color

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is the purpose of representing daily and seasonal observations in graphical displays?

• To create artistic representations of the Earth and Sky

• To reveal patterns and understand interactions between Earth, Sun, and stars

• To predict weather patterns

• To measure the distance between Earth and the Sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The student knows that she can only see other stars at night time when it's dark. Which statement best supports the claim that the student cannot see any other stars during the daytime, except the sun?

• During the daytime, the sun is so bright that she cannot see other stars in the sky.

• During the daytime, the stars are not in the sky just yet.

• During the daytime, the Earth is not facing any stars.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is this constellation called?

• Ursa Minor

• Canis Major

• Ursa Major

• Canis Minor

Which evidence from the figure best supports the answer to Part A?

• The constellations appear to move south to north.

• The stars appear to rotate around a fixed point in the northern sky.

• The constellations appear to move from west to east across the sky.

• Some stars appear to stay in the south, while others stay in the north.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which constellations would most likely be visible in December? Select the two correct answers.

• Ursa Minor

• Leo

• Pegasus

• Orion

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which of the following is evidence to support that Earth is Spinning? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY

• By observing the movement of the sun and other stars across the sky

• By dropping a rock from a height to see how it falls

• By measuring the force of gravity on Earth

• By studying the daily pattern of day and night