Objects in the Sky
One important thing to know how to do when observing objects in the sky is to measure the degree of how high up, or the altitude, in the sky it is. One way to measure this is with the fist over fist technique. Each fist is equal to 10 degrees and each finger is equal to about 1 degree. You must line your fist up with the horizon so that your index finger of your fist is in parallel with the horizon. Then, you place your other fist on top of the first (10 degrees) then another (20 degrees) and so on until you reach the object in the sky.
To measure azimuth, you can find a more precise measurement by using a compass. If you know what direction North is and you don't have a compass, you can estimate the azimuth by remembering that if you stand facing the north and make a quarter of a turn to the right, so your left shoulder is pointing to the north, that's 90 degrees. If you start toward the north and turn halfway around, so your back is to the north, that's 180 degrees. If you start toward the north and turn three quarters of the way around, so your right shoulder is now pointing to the north, that's 270 degrees. And if you are facing north and you turn all the way around so you're facing north again, that's 360 degrees! You can estimate the degree between the quarters using your best judgement.

star_gazing.docx | |
File Size: | 11 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Above is a worksheet for identifying constellations in the night sky. Students will need to go outside on a clear night to complete this worksheet. Students can use a compass to find the azimuth and the fist trick to measure the altitude. This worksheet requires students to identify constellations in the sky. It requires students to describe how the objects in the nights sky appear to be different. They must also view the celestial objects with the aid of binoculars, or with a small telescope, if they have access to one. Students can also use a planisphere to help them find constellations with this worksheet.

Using a Planisphere
A planisphere is a helpful tool for finding constellations in the night's sky. It allows an observer to locate constellations in the sky for a specific day and time.
How to use it:
Step 1: Go outside on a clear, starry night!
Step 2: Align your current date on the outer wheel with your current time (remember that the 12 o'clock on the wheel is solar midnight). If you are outside on November 3rd at 11:00 pm, you are going to align the 11 pm arrow on the inner circle with the November 3 mark on the outer circle.
Step 3: If you are standing North, turn your planisphere so that the Northern Horizon label is closest to your body. The constellations that appear just above the Western Horizon on your planisphere will also be visible just above the actual Western horizon. As you turn your body toward the North, turn your planisphere so that the Northern Horizon label is closest to your body.
Click on the link below for a planisphere template and instructions pdf:
How To Make A Planisphere
Stellarium is also a great program for finding constellations. Students can use it to see how the stars move across the night sky, watch the progression between the sun and moon, or even look up what the night sky looked like when they were born! Click here to download it onto your computer.
Let's see if you have mastered the planisphere!
Using your planisphere, see if you can find which horizon Canis Major will appear over on January 1st at 1 am. What constellation(s) are found over the Northern Horizon? Will you be able to see Sagittarius in the sky on this night? Using your planisphere with the lines of altitude and azimuth, estimate the constellations altitude and azimuth.
Check your answers here and copy and past the following information into the date and time: Tue Jan 01 2013 01:00:00 GMT-0500
If you answered the southern horizon for the first question, Draco and Ursa Minor for the second, and no for the third, then you are a master at the planisphere!
A planisphere is a helpful tool for finding constellations in the night's sky. It allows an observer to locate constellations in the sky for a specific day and time.
How to use it:
Step 1: Go outside on a clear, starry night!
Step 2: Align your current date on the outer wheel with your current time (remember that the 12 o'clock on the wheel is solar midnight). If you are outside on November 3rd at 11:00 pm, you are going to align the 11 pm arrow on the inner circle with the November 3 mark on the outer circle.
Step 3: If you are standing North, turn your planisphere so that the Northern Horizon label is closest to your body. The constellations that appear just above the Western Horizon on your planisphere will also be visible just above the actual Western horizon. As you turn your body toward the North, turn your planisphere so that the Northern Horizon label is closest to your body.
Click on the link below for a planisphere template and instructions pdf:
How To Make A Planisphere
Stellarium is also a great program for finding constellations. Students can use it to see how the stars move across the night sky, watch the progression between the sun and moon, or even look up what the night sky looked like when they were born! Click here to download it onto your computer.
Let's see if you have mastered the planisphere!
Using your planisphere, see if you can find which horizon Canis Major will appear over on January 1st at 1 am. What constellation(s) are found over the Northern Horizon? Will you be able to see Sagittarius in the sky on this night? Using your planisphere with the lines of altitude and azimuth, estimate the constellations altitude and azimuth.
Check your answers here and copy and past the following information into the date and time: Tue Jan 01 2013 01:00:00 GMT-0500
If you answered the southern horizon for the first question, Draco and Ursa Minor for the second, and no for the third, then you are a master at the planisphere!

A portable planetarium works well for teaching students about constellation identification, the movement of the stars, and more. At a science night, we were able to use a planetarium like this. We had the students make their own planisphere, taught them how to use it, had them pick a constellation from the planisphere that they wanted to find in the planetarium, and then allowed them inside the planetarium. We showed the students slide with just the stars and asked them to try to identify their constellation. Then we showed them the outlined version of the constellations and asked if they could find it then. We helped them to find theirs, and then we showed them the picture version of the constellations (which they got a kick out of!). To learn more about renting a portable planetarium and how to use them in the curriculum, click here.