CONSTELLATIONS

S T A R G A Z I N G

Introduction
Ancient people were fascinated by
stars. They created stories about stars,
and they were figured heavily in their
religions.
Stars were also used as guides by sailors
for navigation, and to mark time and
the seasons, including when to sow
seeds and harvest crops.
Today, observing stars is an activity
both scientists and common people
enjoy.

Using your imagination, try to
connect these dots to form
different patterns.
What patterns did you form?

Pre-Assessment Activity (by group)
CONSTELLATIONS
I. Fill in the boxes with ideas you have about constellations. You may add more
boxes if necessary.

II. Find and circle the following terms in the word grid below.
Astrology
Celestial Equator
Celestial Sphere
Constellations
Horizon
Meridian
Milky way
Zenith
Textbook pp. 281-282

The assigned representative will be the one
to submit the output of the group.
1 output ONLY per group.

The Milky Way
Galaxy
A large spiral galaxy that holds over 100 billion stars. It is a flat disk
with spiral arms and a bright central bulge called nucleus.
Its disk is about 100 000 light-years wide and about 10 000 light-years
thick at nucleus.
Located about 2/3 from the center of the Milky Way is – our Solar
System.
Milky Way is a member of a cluster of about
25 galaxies known as the Local groups.
Orbiting it are 2 small galaxies known as the
Magellanic Clouds.

https://youtu.be/MX3PIkbTQwQ
To know more about the
Milky Way Galaxy, let us
watch this video.

The Local Sky
The sky that you see from
where you stand.
The boundary where
Earth’s surface meets the
sky.
The imaginary semicircle stretching from your
horizon due south, through your zenith,
through your horizon due north.
The point directly above you.

The Celestial
Sphere
It is an imaginary sphere of infinite radius
with Earth at its center.
All stars are assumed to be inside this
sphere, creating a practical tool for
locating stars.
The sun traces a path on the celestial
sphere called the Ecliptic.

https://www.britannica.com/video/151067/Explanation-sphere
To know more about the
Celestial Sphere, let us
watch this video.

Review Questions
1. Describe a Local Sky?
2. Draw the Local Sky showing its horizon, zenith, and meridian.
3. Describe a Celestial Sphere.
4. Compare and contrast the geographic coordinates on Earth from
those on the celestial sphere.

Apparent Motion of Stars
Explore Activity 4A (pp. 286-287)
On a clear night, locate and
observe any constellation in
the sky. Note its position in
relation to a tree or any tall
object nearby.
Then, illustrate what you have
observed based on your
reference point. Include the
reference in your drawing.

Guide Questions:
1. What did you observe about the relative position of the constellation during
the 2 different times you observed it.
2. Did the constellation move across the sky?
3. What did you observe about the shape of the constellation? Did it change?
Date of Submission:

Do stars really move?

Constellations
❏ These are groups of stars that
form patterns in the sky.
❏ They are imaginary shapes
drawn unto the celestial sphere.
❏ They organize stars into easily
identifiable groups.

https://youtu.be/1sZ15SUeS9w
To know more about the
Constellations, let us
watch this video.

Zodiac Constellations
As the sun traces the ecliptic, it
appears to move against a
background of constellations called -
the Zodiac Constellations.
The Major Zodiac Constellations are:
● Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries,
Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo,
Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, and
Sagittarius.

Review Questions
1. What are zodiac constellations?
2. How many zodiac constellations are there? What are they?

Beliefs and Practices about Astrology
Astronomy
❏ It is the scientific study of celestial
objects and phenomena.
Astrology
❏ It is a system of beliefs and methods
of calculation that attempts explain
human affairs and predict future
events.

Beliefs and Practices about Astrology
Explore Activity 4A (pp. 289-290)
1. Conduct a short survey of 4 individuals who belong to the given age range.
❏ Respondent 1: 7-21 years old
❏ Respondent 2: 22-36 years old
❏ Respondent 3: 37-51 years old
❏ Respondent 4: 52-70 years old

2. Then, ask them the questions below:
❏ Do you know of any beliefs and practices about astrology? Which of these, if any, do
you believe or follow them?
❏ Do you think astrology has something to do with or could affect your life? If you do,
how do you think it affects your life?
Respondent Question 1 Question 2
1
2
3
4
You

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
Dy
Belleza
Pablo
Cu
Macaraig *
Larrauri, Kathleen
Licuanan
Deol
Rey
Lirag
Manubay
Hernandez
Oba
Jimenez *
Dhanoa
Tolentino
Mustera
Baynosa
Poon
Jill
Nacional
Larrauri, Kristine
Nieves
Sabroso
Montefalco
Uy
Oquindo *
Bonafe
Wong
Grajo
Yee Concepcion
Borromeo
Ung
Yao
Eloreta
Ramos