Starry, Starry Night

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.  As you learn about constellations, you will be given assignments to do. These will help you learn all about constellations.

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. Read the website and answer question #1 on your Constellation WebQuest Worksheet.

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. Read the website and answer question #2 on your Constellation WebQuest Worksheet.

Where did constellations come from?

Hold on! Have you answered questions #1 & #2? If you haven't, you need to stop here and answer those two questions before you answer question #3!

Constellations and Their Stars

Your next assignment is to complete the Constellation WebQuest Worksheet, questions #3 thru #8 (only click if you don't already have a copy of the worksheet).   You will want to use The Constellations and Their Stars website to get the information you need to complete questions #3 & #8. Read your menu options carefully. They will take you to the part of the page you will need to use to get your information. How can you get to the website? Click here or click on the Big Dipper to get to the website.

Your next assignments is to tell the story of how some constellations were placed in the sky (questions #4 - #7) (in your own words). For this part of the assignment, you will need to go to the Constellation Mythology webpage. How can you get to the website? Click here or click on Pegasus to get to the website.

The final part of your assignment is to complete question #8. You have been given some constellations. You need to provide the following information: the abbreviation for the constellation, the name of the brightest star in the constellation, and when the constellation is best seen. How can you get to the website? Click here or click on Boötes to get to the website.

Whoa, Nellie! Have you answered questions #3 thru #5? If you haven't, you need to stop here and answer those two questions before you answer question #6!

Constellations by Seasons

If you go outside different times of the year, you will see different constellations.  Why?  Because the Earth revolves around the Sun. Use these four star charts to help you answer questions #9 - #12.

Wait! Have you answered questions #1 thru #10? If you haven't, you need to stop here and complete those questions before you move on to Navigating With the Stars.

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 how you can navigate at night. The North Star (Polaris) is a very important star. Using a protractor, complete the the Latitude and the North Star portiopn ot the Constellation WebQuest Worksheet. (To finish the first table, you will need to look at the Key Latitudes list. Click here or click on the list below to get to the list.)

Stars as Calendars and Clocks

You should know that, in the past, the stars helped farmers know when to plant and harvest. Don't believe me? Read this article at Space.com.

Have you ever wondered how people knew what time of day it was without a clock or wristwatch? How did people know when to plant crops or gather food for the cold seasons if they did not have a calendar like we do today? How did we get to the accurate time we have today? Find out about other cultures over the past 6,000 years! Study Egypt, the Aztec Indians', or Chinese timekeeping just by clicking below. (Don't forget to answer the questions!)

Finished!

Congratulations.  You’ve just completed this WebQuest.  Pat yourself on the back! You've learned something new!