Engage: Use the Big Dipper to find the North Star, Arcturus, Cassiopeia. Find Summer Triangle, Milky Way.

Explore: Students make a sample observation of a two fist by two fist section of the sky that contains a bright star. Compare entries with a neighbor. As a class, brainstorm characteristics of an effective sky

observation and an effective notebook entry. Explain: Outline Earth’s two main motions (rotation and

revolution) and how those affect observations Review the use of a planisphere (star wheel) Practice using a star wheel

Elaborate: Outside naked eye observations using star wheel as a map Telescope observations of Jupiter, Jupiter’s moons (Europa,

Ganymede, Callisto), Neptune. Three of Jupiter’s moons and Neptune contain solid and maybe liquid water

Evaluate: Use star wheel to identify two objects in the sky chosen by the instructor.

Heading for each entry should includeDate and timeLocationSky and weather conditions

Sketch observation on a grid with the x-axis being the horizon and the y-axis being the altitude.

Measure height above the horizon (altitude) and degrees from compass direction in fists. A closed fist held at arm’s length subtends an angle of about 10 degrees from top to bottom.

Add other interesting items and facts to your entry.

To find the rising or setting time of a starLocate the star on the planisphere.Rotate the dial so the star is touching the

eastern half (rising) or western half (setting) of the planisphere.

Find the date in question on the planisphere.Read the time that that date is lined up with. (If

daylight savings time is in effect, you’ll need to add an hour to the time you read.)

Practice question: What time does the bright star in the constellation Virgo rise on March 10?

To find the sky orientation for a specific day and time.

Find the date in question on the planisphere .Rotate the planisphere so the time you want is

lined up with that date. (Don’t forget about the daylight savings time correction.)

Now, you can look at the planisphere and determine where a star is located on any day at any time.

Practice question: When is the bright star in the constellation Leo due south at midnight?

1) What time does the bright star in the constellation Taurus rise on May 1?

2) What time does the bright star in the constellation Taurus set on May 1?

3) What time does the bright star in the constellation Bootes rise on October 10?

4) What time does the bright star in the constellation Bootes set on October 10?

Constellations Stars (Stellar features) Other objectsAndromeda M31 Andromeda galaxyAquila Altair whiteBootes Arcturus orange giantCassiopia

Cephius Cephivariable (per.=5.4 d.)

Cygnus Denebmost distant bright star

Alberiobinary star, diff colors

Hercules M13 Globular clusterLyra Vega M57 Ring nebula

Lyrae double binary star

SagittariusM8 Lagoon nebula, M22 globular cluster

Scorpius Antares red super giant

Ursa MajorBig Dipper, M81 spiral galaxy

Ursa Minor Polarisnear N celestial pole Little Dipper

Virgo Spica blue star Virgo cluster of galaxies