INVESTIGATION - an attempt to find out about something
DATA - observations or measurements recorded in an investigation
In today’s investigation you will collect data about the distance from Earth to different stars, like the sun and also the stars in the constellation Pegasus!
Constellations
In today’s investigation you will collect data about the distance from Earth to different stars, like the sun and also the stars in the constellation Pegasus!
Pegasus
When people look at Pegasus (PEG-uh-sus), they usually notice four stars that make a large square shape. This is called the Great Square of Pegasus. Pegasus is named after a famous animal from Greek mythology, a magical flying horse. In North America, we see Pegasus in the fall, in September it is high in the sky.
Names of the four stars in the great square of Pegasus:
Alpheratz (AL-fer-rats)
Beta Pegasi (BAY-tuh PEG-a-see)
Algenib (al-JEN-nib)
Markab (MAR-kab)
PES Simulation
Directions: Finding Distances of Stars from Earth:
Login to the Sim, Patterns of Earth and Sky by clicking on the website https://apps.learning.amplify.com/patternsofearthandsky/
Login to your Amplify account.
Once in the Sim…
Turn constellations ON at the top of the Sim.
In System View - click and drag your Earth so it is between Pegasus and the Sun.
In System View - Click on the word “Pegasus.” This will highlight it in yellow.
Click on NOON for your time. In Sky View - click on the Sun and record the distance to the sun.
Click on MIDNIGHT.
Click the stars in the four corners of Pegasus and record their distance in the table.
Answer the discussion question below.
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Reflecting on Where Stars Are
Directions: Below is a section of “How Big is Big? How Far is Far?” Read it to answer the next two questions.
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Use the data table below to answer this question.
Criteria For Success (CFS)
Read the labels for each column
Read the numbers
Use the data to answer the questions
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💚 In our investigation, we’ll be measuring distance in light-years. From our last lesson, what is a light year?
A) A light year counts how much time it takes for light to travel somewhere.
B) A light year is a measurement of distance that is equal to how far light travels in a year.
C) A light year measures how fast light can travel in a year.
Question 2
2.
How many light years is ALPHERATZ from Earth?
Question 3
3.
How many light years is BETA PEGASI from Earth?
Question 4
4.
How many light years is ALGENIB from Earth?
Question 5
5.
How many light years is MARKAB from Earth?
Question 6
6.
💚 Check For Understanding
Are the four stars in Pegasus different distances away from Earth or the same distance away from Earth?
Question 7
7.
Question 8
8.
💚 CFU: Are all stars the same distance away from Earth?
Question 9
9.
💚 According to the text, where are the stars in space?
The stars are ____
Question 10
10.
According to this diagram, are the stars the same distance or different distance from Earth.
The stars are ______ distance from Earth.
Question 11
11.
💚 Check For Understanding
Which star or stars are inside the solar system?
Question 12
12.
💚 Which star or stars are outside the solar system?
Question 13
13.
💚 Check For Understanding
Explain the difference between the sun and other stars. Which is closer?
Question 14
14.
How does the data table supports your answer.
On the data table, it shows the _______,
Which means _________.
The other stars are _______
Question 15
15.
What direction are the stars in space?
Criteria For Success:
Include the direction of the stars
Include the distance of the stars
Question 16
16.
💚 The picture above shows the stars in the constellation the Big Dipper.
Are the stars in the Big Dipper closer or farther from Earth than the Sun? How do you know?
Question 17
17.
💚 Your friend says that all the stars in the Big Dipper are probably the same distance away from Earth because they all look like tiny spots of light.
Do you agree or disagree with your friend?
Support your response with evidence from the SIM or from the Great Square of Pegasus class model.
Which answer is evidence that best supports (shows or proves) your answer.
A) The stars look the same distance from Earth
B) The data from the sim shows the stars are the same distance from Earth
C) The stars look the different distances from Earth
D) The data from the sim shows the stars are the different distances from Earth
