Identifying Star Patterns
Learning Objective
I can identify patterns of stars in the night sky.
Key Concepts
A constellation is a group of stars that form a pattern or picture in the night sky.
The Big Dipper is not a constellation, but an asterism, and part of the constellation Ursa Major.
The constellation Hydra is associated with a serpent or dragon and is best viewed in the spring and early summer in the northern hemisphere.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 3 practice questions to reinforce learning.
View questions preview
1. What is the name for a recognizable pattern of stars that is smaller than a full constellation?
2. Describe how the Big Dipper can be used to find Polaris, the North Star.
3. Explain how the hemisphere you are in affects which constellations you can see.
Educational Video
Constellations - Patterns in the Night Sky
Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel