Twinkle Stars

Is there more than one central idea of the article? How do you know?

• No; because the central idea is many people are learning to stargaze, and the other details support this by explaining how.

• No; because the central idea is winter is a great time to see bright stars, and the other details support this by explaining why.

• Yes; because the central idea that moisture in the air affects stars' brightness is elaborated on by the central idea that Sirius is brighter in winter than summer.

• Yes; because the central idea that changes in the atmosphere make stars appear brighter is elaborated on by the central idea that this is clearest near the horizon.

Which statement would be MOST important to include in a summary of the article?

• If someone has ever looked for the brightest stars in the night sky they have seen the Big Dipper.

• An astronomer is a scientist who has an understanding of stars by studying the planets and space.

• Most stargazers have favorite spots to set up a telescope and photograph the bright stars in the night sky.

• The Earth's tilt on its axis makes winter a good time for stargazing in the Northern Hemisphere.

How do pockets of hot and cold air in the Earth's atmosphere affect the appearance of stars?

• They cause the stars' location in the sky to tilt and spin, making them appear to dance.

• They cause the sky to look hazy or out of focus, making the stars appear dim and blurry.

• They cause stars' light to bend in the process of refraction, making them appear to twinkle.

• They cause the amount of moisture in the air to change, making stars appear crisp and clean.

According to the article, WHY should stargazers look for Orion if they want to see bright stars?

• because the stars in Orion show up more brightly in photographs than other constellations

• because the constellation is brighter and more famous than the Big Dipper or Little Dipper

• because some of the brightest stars in the winter sky are located within or near the constellation

• because Orion's Belt contains the largest number of stars in any constellation in the winter sky