Science: Stars in the Night Sky Constellations Worksheet

Question 1

What is a constellation?

Accepted Answer

A constellation is a pattern of stars that people imagine makes a picture, shape, animal, or person in the night sky.

Question 2

Look at a group of bright stars that make the shape of a spoon. What could this star pattern help people remember?

Accepted Answer

The spoon shape could help people remember where that group of stars is in the sky because the pattern is easy to recognize.

Question 3

Are the stars in a constellation really connected by lines in space? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

No, the stars are not really connected by lines in space. People draw imaginary lines to help show the pattern.

Question 4

Why do many constellations look like pictures or shapes?

Accepted Answer

Many constellations look like pictures or shapes because people use their imagination to group stars into patterns.

Question 5

Circle the word that best describes stars: rocks, plants, or balls of hot gas. Then explain your choice.

Accepted Answer

Stars are balls of hot gas. They shine because they give off their own light.

Question 6

A student sees three stars in a straight line. What shape or object could the student imagine from this pattern?

Accepted Answer

The student could imagine a belt, a row, a line, or another object that has three points in a straight line.

Question 7

Why can it be hard to see stars and constellations in a city?

Accepted Answer

It can be hard to see stars in a city because bright city lights make the night sky look lighter. This is called light pollution.

Question 8

Name one safe thing you can do when observing stars at night.

Accepted Answer

One safe thing to do is observe stars with an adult. It is also safe to stay in a clear area away from roads.

Question 9

Look at the star map. Which star is the brightest, A, B, or C? Explain how you know.

Accepted Answer

Star B is the brightest because it is drawn larger and brighter than stars A and C on the star map.

Question 10

Some constellations can only be seen during certain seasons. Why might the night sky look different in winter than in summer?

Accepted Answer

The night sky can look different in winter than in summer because Earth moves around the Sun, so we face different parts of space at different times of the year.

Question 11

The Big Dipper is a famous star pattern. Is it a whole constellation or part of a larger constellation?

Accepted Answer

The Big Dipper is part of a larger constellation called Ursa Major. It is a smaller pattern within the larger star picture.

Question 12

Draw or describe a constellation you could make using five stars.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary. A good answer describes a clear pattern, such as five stars making a house, kite, letter, or animal shape.

Question 13

Why did people long ago tell stories about constellations?

Accepted Answer

People long ago told stories about constellations to remember star patterns and to explain what they imagined seeing in the sky.

Question 14

A compass can help you face north. How can knowing directions help when looking for a constellation?

Accepted Answer

Knowing directions can help you look in the correct part of the sky. Some constellations are easier to find when you know which way you are facing.

Question 15

Look at two star patterns. Pattern 1 has stars close together in a triangle. Pattern 2 has stars spread out in a long curve. Describe one difference between the two patterns.

Accepted Answer

One difference is that Pattern 1 makes a triangle with stars close together, while Pattern 2 makes a long curve with stars spread farther apart.

Science: Stars in the Night Sky Constellations

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