Watching the stars from Wellington

Watching the stars from Wellington

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about how the stars appear in different parts of the sky.

Question 1Change answer

star maps of the night sky    

These star maps show the positions of several stars and constellations as seen from Wellington at two different times of the year.

 
Explain why the stars appear in different parts of the night sky, depending on the time of year they are observed.
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Communicating in science, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
astronomical systems, night sky, stars, Earth's rotation
Description of task: 
Students are provided with two star maps as seen from Wellington at two different times of the year. Students are asked to explain why the stars on the map appear in different parts of the sky depending on the time of the year.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss how the patterns of stars in the night sky change as the Earth orbits around the Sun.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
 

Y11 (04/1998)
  • Earth orbits the Sun.
  • Viewing point of the observer changes and stars appear to have moved.
 2 correct – difficult

1 correct – easy

 

Teaching and learning: 
Background
Before this assessment, encourage students to view the night sky to develop a sense of how the star patterns change.