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In this lab, your goal is to identify the current
PLEASE USE WORKSHEET PROVIDED
In this lab, your goal is to identify the currently visible “naked eye” planets in the night sky using a star chart. Using constellations as guides, you can quickly locate the ecliptic plane where the planets may be found.
Download and open the NASA Star Chart to get started. Choose the map that corresponds to the current month and print the map: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, or December.
Then download and complete the Honors: Finding Objects in the Sky Lab Report.
Having your star chart handy, watch the following video to understand how to find the ecliptic plane in the night sky before you begin.
Where Are the Planets chart for January, two separate planets are recorded as dots within the ecliptic plane.
© NASA
Text Version
Ecliptic Plane
An illustration on how to read a star map.
Each star map consists of a circle filled with stars and constellations as they would appear in the night sky during that month. The top of each map is labeled “North,” the bottom is labeled “South,” the left is labeled “West,” and the right is labeled “East.” Running from west to east across the middle of each map is a slightly curving band representing the ecliptic plane.
The star map you printed shows the positions of the constellations in the sky during a certain month. However, the map does not include the positions of the planets. Depending on a planet’s orbit, its position relative to the constellations can change from night to night or year to year. For this tutorial, we will refer to the January map, but these instructions apply to all 12 maps you can print.
A star map is read by holding it over your head as you look up at the sky, where the stars are. Even if it is daytime right now, you can still practice using your star map. Take the map and face north. Rotate your star map so the side of the map marked “North” points toward the northern horizon. All the constellations in that quarter of the map will be visible in the sky in front of you. Turn toward the east. Rotate the map so the side of the map marked “East” points toward the eastern horizon. All the constellations in that quarter of the map will be visible in the sky in front of you. Follow the same process for the southern and western horizons.
Do you see the dotted area on the map? This is the region of the sky where you look to find other planets, as well as Earth’s Moon. This is the ecliptic plane. If you see a bright object in this part of the sky, it might be a planet. (Make sure your bright object isn’t moving, however—moving lights are probably airplanes or satellites!) To check, consult your star map. Does the bright object you found appear as part of a constellation labeled on the map, or is it in the same position as another star shown on your map? If not, you are probably seeing a planet.
Rubric
Review the Rubric before you begin the activity.
(50 points possible)
Criteria
Amazing Astronomer
Developing Astronomer
Novice Astronomer
Hypothesis
5 points
Completes a hypothesis
4–2 points
Partially completes a hypothesis
1–0 points
Does not complete a hypothesis
Variables
5 points
Successfully identified all variables
4–2 points
Mostly identified all variables
1–0 points
Failed to identify some or all variables
Data and Observations
10 points
Correctly identifies and locates the visible planets for the current month. Data are drawn on the chart for the correct position of the planets.
9–5 points
Correctly identifies and locates most of the visible planets for the current month, although two may be missing or added incorrectly. Data are drawn on the chart for the position of the planets, although some locations are off.
4–0 points
Fails to identify and locate the visible planets for the current month. Data are either not drawn on the chart, or significant mistakes are made in the correct position of the planets.
Research and Illustration
10 points
Correctly explains and draws the position of the planets as they relate to Earth and the Sun. Uses at least two reliable resources.
9–5 points
Explain and draw the planets’ position as they relate to Earth and the Sun but with at least one significant and several minor errors. Uses at least two reliable resources.
4–0 points
It does not explain or draw the position of the planets as they relate to Earth and the Sun. Resources are missing or unreliable.
Analysis and Conclusion
20 points
Answers to questions include full and accurate responses. Answers demonstrate a complete understanding of using a star chart to locate planets in the sky and their proximity to the Sun.
19–10 points
Answers to questions mainly include full and accurate responses. Answers mostly demonstrate a complete understanding of using a star chart to locate planets in the sky and their proximity to the Sun.
9–0 points
Answers to questions include partially accurate responses. Answers demonstrate a partial understanding of using a star chart to locate planets in the sky and their proximity to the Sun
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