Our View of tHe SKY
1) Below is a comic strip of the Earth as seen from the South Pole. Each frame shows a snapshot of the
Earth as it rotates.
2) Draw a line that between the Sun and the alien for each of the comic frames. (one has been done as an
example for you)
3) Write a short sentence at the bottom of each of the comic frames, explaining where the Sun appears in
the sky from the alien’s point of view. (one has been done as an example for you)
The Sun looks like it is to the side of the alien.
The Sun looks like it is a_ _ _ _ the alien’s h_ _ _.
The Sun looks like it is to the _______ of the alien.
Interactive: The Way the Sun looks in the Sky
1) Google “NAAP ASTRONOMY LAB MOTIONS OF THE SUN”
2) Open up the interactive, and click the settings as shown (the date should be today’s date)
Hit the button that says ‘Start Animation’ so you can see the path of the Sun when a person is standing in
here in New Zealand .
a) Which direction does the Sun appear to rise from?_________________
b) Which direction does the Sun appear to set in? ________________
c) Does the Sun pass closer to North or South during midday? ________________
3) Move the line on the map so that it crosses the equator, then hit ‘Start Animation’
What has changed about the Sun’s path in the sky?
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4) Move the line on the map so that it near the Earth’s north pole, then hit ‘Start Animation’
What has changed about the Sun’s path in the sky?
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5) Describe how the Sun’s daily path in the Northern hemisphere differs from the Sun’s daily path in the
Southern Hemisphere.
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6) Explain why not all locations on Earth will be able to see the Sun rise and set each day. You should use a
diagram to aid your answer.
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Interactive: The way the Stars look in the sky
1) Google “NAAP ASTRONOMY LABS THE ROTATING SKY”
2) Open up the interactive, and click the settings as shown
Click the button that says ‘add star randomly’ a few times, then click ‘start animation’
Stars are very far away in space and move in random directions from each other over thousands of years.
However, it is not possible for us to witness this with our eyes during our life times.
a) What do you think is causing the stars to appear to move in the way this animation is showing?
b) Under “star patterns,” add the Southern Cross.
Describe how the Southern Cross moves in our sky over the course of an evening.
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c) Under “star patterns,” add Orion.
Describe how Orion moves in our sky over the course of an evening.
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d) Under “star patterns,” add the Big Dipper
Describe how the Big Dipper moves in our sky over the course of an evening.
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e) Different locations on Earth are able to see different stars as the Earth rotates. Decide which part of
Earth may be able to see the Big Dipper all evening long.
f)
Think back to how the Sun appeared to move according to different locations on the Earth. Why would
you say that some rise and set while others are visible all evening? As a hint, consider where stars are
relative to Earth, and think about which part of the Earth we are standing on. You may draw a diagram
to aid your answer.
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