The Big Dipper Across the Seasons

What did students observe about the Big Dipper in July?

• It was low on the horizon shortly after sunset.

• It was high in the sky shortly after sunset.

• It was not visible at all.

• It appeared only in the morning.

Why does the position of constellations change with the seasons?

• Because Earth's orbit around the Sun changes which part of space we face at night.

• Because the stars themselves are moving.

• Because the constellations change shape.

• Because the Earth rotates on its axis.

What evidence did students use to determine the cause of the changing positions of constellations?

• Star maps from the past showing repeated seasonal patterns.

• Observations of the stars moving across the sky.

• Changes in the shapes of constellations.

• The appearance of new constellations each season.

How did the students conclude that Earth, not the stars, was moving?

• By comparing their observations with historical star maps.

• By observing the stars moving across the sky.

• By noticing changes in the shapes of constellations.

• By seeing new constellations appear each season.

What is the main reason Orion is not visible in the summer?

• Earth's position in its orbit around the Sun.

• Orion's position changes shape in the summer.

• Orion is too dim to be seen in the summer.

• The summer sky is too bright to see Orion.

Make a claim about why the Big Dipper appears higher in the sky in October than in July. Support your claim with one piece of evidence from the passage, and explain your reasoning.