ESS Unit 8.2.1 Exploration Questions

What is a group of stars that forms a pattern called?

• Galaxy

• Solar system

• Nebula

• Constellation

Which constellation contains the pattern known as the Big Dipper?

• Orion

• Ursa Major

• Cassiopeia

• Draco

Why do the constellations visible in the early evening change with the seasons?

• The stars move to different places in space.

• Earth's orbit changes which stars are visible at night.

• The sun gets brighter in some seasons.

• The moon blocks some stars in certain seasons.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What causes stars to appear to move across the night sky each night?

• Earth's rotation

• The stars' own movement

• The sun's gravity

• Clouds moving in the sky

If you are at the North Pole, how do the stars appear to move?

• They rise and set like the sun.

• They move in a straight line across the sky.

• They rotate around a point directly above your head.

• They do not move at all.

Why are some stars visible all year from certain locations on Earth?

• Because Earth's orbit is a perfect circle

• Because those stars are always on the same side of Earth as the sun

• Because of your location's distance from the equator

• Because the stars are closer to Earth

What determines which stars you can see on a given night?

• The direction opposite the sun

• The phase of the moon

• The temperature outside

• The amount of rainfall

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

How does the night sky in the Southern Hemisphere compare to the Northern Hemisphere?

• They are exactly the same.

• They have some of the same stars, but the patterns are different.

• The Southern Hemisphere has no visible stars.

• The Northern Hemisphere has no visible stars.

What is true about the Big Dipper's position in the night sky?

• It is always in the same place every night.

• It changes position due to Earth's movement.

• It can only be seen in the summer.

• It is not a real group of stars.

If you travel from Florida to Brazil, what will you notice about the stars?

• The sky will look exactly the same.

• You will see some of the same stars, but the patterns will be different.

• You will not see any stars at all.

• The stars will be much brighter.