Objects and Patterns in the Sky Quiz

Objects in the Sky

• By observing objects in the sky, we can find patterns such as day and night, seasons, phases of the Moon, and constellations.

The Sun

• The Sun is a star, an extremely hot, dense mass of gases that burns to give off radiation, including light and heat.
• Most of the energy that reaches our planet comes from the Sun.
• The Sun is responsible for many patterns and cycles in our solar system.

The Moon

• The Moon cycles through phases about once a month.
• A full moon occurs when Earth is located between the Moon and the Sun, making the whole surface of the Moon visible to us on Earth.
• A new moon occurs when the Moon is in between the Sun and Earth, making the side of the Moon facing us dark.
• The Moon phases include new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter moon, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter moon, and waning crescent.
• The Moon is always half-illuminated by the Sun.

Constellations

• A constellation is a set of stars that makes a pattern when viewed in relation to each other.
• The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named 88 constellations, including Ursa Major, Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper), Orion, Hercules, and Pegasus.
• Constellations appear to move in the sky from east to west due to Earth's rotation.

Earth's Rotation and Orbit

• Earth rotates on its axis, causing day and night.
• Earth revolves around the Sun, causing different stars to be visible at different times of the year due to its orbit.
• The Sun's gravity holds the planets and other objects in the solar system in orbit.

Additional Facts

• The Moon orbits around Earth, completing one full trip approximately every month.
• The Moon rotates on an axis, and its illuminated portion visible from Earth varies as it revolves around Earth.