2.2 To discuss the concept constellations and investigating the

Natural sciences

The earth and beyond

The stars

Educator section

Memorandum

Follow the directions in the module:

Question 2 : Yes. West. No

Question 3: Conclusion: Every night the stars appear above the beacon four minutes earlier - the movement is westward.

Leaner section

Content

Activity: to discuss the concept constellations and investigating the movement of the stars [lo 1.2, lo 2.3]

IN ANCIENT TIMES ASTRONOMERS GROUPED BRIGHT STARS THAT APPEARED TO FORM SOME KIND OF PATTERN. THESE IDENTIFIABLE PATTERNS ARE CALLED CONSTELLATIONS AND ARE NAMED AFTER PEOPLE, GODS AND ANIMALS. EACH CONSTELLATION BEARS A LATIN NAME. THE ORBIT OF THE EARTH AROUND THE SUN HAS THE EFFECT THAT SOME CONSTELLATIONS COME INTO VIEW, DISAPPEAR FROM OUR VIEW AT CERTAIN TIMES AND APPEAR AGAIN LATER DURING THE YEAR.

• Maps of the heavens that indicate the positions of the stars have been drawn for the Northern as well as the Southern Hemisphere. But there is no fixed way to draw the constellations and different "star charts" may show them differently.

THE CONSTELLATIONS OF THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

THE MOVEMENT OF THE STARS AND THE CONSTELLATIONS

• When you go out to look at constellations for the first time, it may seem impossible to detect any of them among the dense array of stars in the heavens. But once you have located a constellation, you will be able to find it easily when you try again.
• What makes it difficult to identify a constellation is the constant movement of the stars. They keep their positions with regard to each other, but they rise every evening and travel through the sky during the night.
• Some stars remain visible right through the night, but others disappear and new stars take their place. The movement is extremely slow and you will not notice it while you are simply looking up at the sky.

AN EXPERIMENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE STARS DO MOVE

1. Select a bright star or constellation and stand at an appropriate spot so that the star/constellation is directly above some fixed beacon (e.g. a tree or the roof of a house).

2. Note down what the time is and return to the EXACT spot one hour later.

Can you see whether the star/constellation has moved?_________________________

If so, in which direction (west, north, east or south)? ___________________________

Has the position of the star/constellation shifted with regard to other stars?

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3. Study the position of your star/constellation over a number of consecutive evenings and record the precise time when it reaches your chosen beacon.

Write your deduction here:

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Assessment

Learning Outcome 1: The learner will be able to act confidently on curiosity about natural phenomena, and to investigate relationships and solve problems in scientific, technological and environmental contexts.

Assessment Standard 1.2: We know this when the learner conducts investigations and collects data.

Learning Outcome 2: The learner will know and be able to interpret and apply scientific, technological and environmental knowledge.

Assessment Standard 2.3: We know this when the learner categorises information.