Name:
Period:
Date:
Due:
Star Wheel Lab
Stars and constellations seem to move across the sky depending on the time of year as well
as the time of night. This movement is because of the rotation of
the Earth on its axis as well as its rotation around the sun. In
order to track star movements astronomers and astrologers created
star charts. In this lab you will create your own constellation
finder to determine the location of some of the major
constellations in the mid latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere for
any day of the year and at any specific time of night.
Procedure:
Constructing your constellation finder
1. Cut along the black outer circle of the Star Wheel and along
the solid lines on the Star Wheel Holder.
2. Cut out and remove the interior oval shape on the Star Wheel
Holder.
3. Fold the Star Wheel holder along the dashed lines.
4. Glue the inside tabs together on the Star Wheel Holder to create a pocket.
5. Place the Star Wheel in the Star Wheel Holder with the constellations facing outward.
Using your star wheel:
1. Turn your Star Wheel in the Star Wheel Holder lining up the desired date and time.
2. To use it outside—follow the instructions on the back of your Star Wheel Holder.
Comprehension Questions:
Use your star Wheel to answer the following questions
1. Hold the wheel over your head so that North on the wheel is toward your back. While
facing South the constellations that appear near the center of the elliptical cutout
will appear directly overhead as you look into the sky. What constellations appear
overhead at 8:00pm on September 15th:
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2. The other edges of the ellipse represent the horizon. Constellations located here will
be found near the horizon as you look for them in the sky. What constellation is located
near the northern horizon at this same date and time?
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3. What constellations appear in the south near the horizon?
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4. A constellation will be at its zenith (highest point) when it is in line with an
imaginary line between North and South on your constellation finder. At what time would
Canis Major be nearest its zenith on October 10th?
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5. On what date would Aquila be at its zenith at 10:00pm?
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Be as descriptive as possible for Questions 6 & 7
6. Where would you look at 9:00pm on January 15th to find:
a. Orion?
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b. Virgo?
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c. Hydra?
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7. Where would you look at 9:00pm on September 12 to find:
a. Gemini?
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b. Cancer?
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c. Hercules?
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d. Vela?
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8. Name 3 constellations that you would expect to see in the southern horizon tonight at
9:00 pm:
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Fill in the following chart using your Star Wheel
Constellation
Libra
Location
Zenith
pavo
Pegasus
Bootes
Time
10:00 pm
8:00 pm
NW Horizon
Eastern Horizon
Date
Sept. 13th
Jan. 18th
2:00 Am