22-23 PES 1.5

PES 1.5: Investigating Size and Distance
Objective: KWBAT use models to visualize and make measurements about to explain when stars are in the sky and why stars appear to be different sizes in the sky.

1

When can you see stars other than the sun?

1

Which stars are visible (which stars can we see) during the day?

1

What information does Data Table 1 tell us about the distance of the sun compared to other stars?

Sentence starter: The distance of the earth to the sun is _________________ compared to the other stars.

1

What information does Data Table 1 tell us about the distance of the sun compared to other stars?

1

What information does Data Table 2 tell us about the size of the sun compared to other stars?

Investigating Stars in Daytime and Nighttime
In order to answer our investigation question, we’ll use the Patterns of Earth and Sky Simulation to investigate what might be different between nighttime, when we can see many stars, and daytime, when we can only see the sun.

Directions:
1. Open the Patterns of Earth and Sky Sim by on the website https://apps.learning.amplify.com/patternsofearthandsky/
2. Turn “Daytime Star Positions” to ON.
3. Look at the top right corner. Make sure the speed is in HOURS and press the PLAY button.
4. Take your hands OFF your Chromebook and observe the stars in SKY VIEW, both in daytime and nighttime.
5. Use your observations to answer the questions below.

1

Which stars do you see in the Skyview during the daytime?

1

Which stars do you see in the Skyview during the nighttime?

1

Is the sun the only star in Sky View during daytime?

Size and Distance Investigation
Remember, creating models can help scientists investigate their questions and better understand how things work. We will also use the strategy of visualizing with this model to see if that improves our understanding.

DIRECTIONS:
Watch the teacher created model video.
Use the information from the model to answer the questions below.

1

Based on the model, why do some stars appear to be smaller when we view them from Earth?

1

Is the sun larger than the other stars outside our solar system?

1

From Earth, why does the sun look so much larger than other stars?

Sentence Starter: The sun looks much larger than other stars because _________________

Exit Ticket
Directions: Answer the following question in complete sentences.

In the diagram, Hakim is standing on the top of a tall hill on a beautiful sunny day after school.

1

From Hakim’s position in the diagram, which sphere would appear to be larger (sphere A or sphere B)?

1

Why would this sphere appear larger to Hakim? Use evidence from the model you watched to explain your answer.

1

Hakim said that during the day, the only star in the sky is the Sun because that’s all he can see. Is Hakim correct or incorrect?

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PES 1.5: Investigating Size and Distance

When can you see stars other than the sun?

Which stars are visible (which stars can we see) during the day?

What information does Data Table 1 tell us about the distance of the sun compared to other stars?Sentence starter: The distance of the earth to the sun is _________________ compared to the other stars.

What information does Data Table 1 tell us about the distance of the sun compared to other stars?

What information does Data Table 2 tell us about the size of the sun compared to other stars?

Investigating Stars in Daytime and Nighttime

Which stars do you see in the Skyview during the daytime?

Which stars do you see in the Skyview during the nighttime?

Is the sun the only star in Sky View during daytime?

Size and Distance Investigation

Based on the model, why do some stars appear to be smaller when we view them from Earth?

Is the sun larger than the other stars outside our solar system?

From Earth, why does the sun look so much larger than other stars? Sentence Starter: The sun looks much larger than other stars because _________________

Exit Ticket

From Hakim’s position in the diagram, which sphere would appear to be larger (sphere A or sphere B)?

Why would this sphere appear larger to Hakim? Use evidence from the model you watched to explain your answer.

Hakim said that during the day, the only star in the sky is the Sun because that’s all he can see. Is Hakim correct or incorrect?

Explain Why? Sentence starter: Hakim is (correct or incorrect) because ___________________

What information does Data Table 1 tell us about the distance of the sun compared to other stars?

Sentence starter: The distance of the earth to the sun is _________________ compared to the other stars.

From Earth, why does the sun look so much larger than other stars?

Sentence Starter: The sun looks much larger than other stars because _________________

Explain Why?

Sentence starter: Hakim is (correct or incorrect) because ___________________