Phenomenons In The Sky
What is a phenomenon?
A phenomenon is any fact or event that can be observed.
What are patterns in the sky?
Patterns in the sky are regular, repeating movements or arrangements of celestial bodies.
Where does the sun rise and set?
Rises in the east and sets in the west.
What is the North star?
A star located almost directly above Earth's North Pole.
Where did most of the recognized constellations come from?
The Ancient Greeks.
Can phenomenons ever change?
Yes, phenomena can and do change.
What hour is the sun at it's highest?
12:00 PM.
What is the North star also named?
How many constellations are visible to the human eye?
There are 88 officially recognized constellations.
If phenomena do in fact occur, can we predict when they might appear again?
In most cases, yes, we can predict when phenomena will recur.
What month is the sun at it's highest?
June.
Was the North Star used as a navigational tool?
Yes, the North Star is one of the most critical navigational tools towards humans.
Why do we see different constellations in different seasons?
As Earth orbits the Sun, our view of space changes, revealing new star patterns.
What are some reasons phenomenons occur?
Atmospheric & Weather Processes
Geological & Internal Earth Forces
Biological & Ecological Activities
Astronomical Alignments (etc)
Why does the Sun spend more time above the horizon in June than in December in the Northern Hemisphere?
The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun during that time of year.
What relationship does the North star have with earth axes?
The North Star, Polaris, is aligned nearly perfectly with Earth's rotational axis.
Why do we see different constellations at different times of the year?
This happens because Earth orbits the Sun, changing our vantage point toward the stars throughout the year.
Are all phenomenons visible from the human eye?
No, the vast majority of phenomena in the universe are completely invisible to the human eye.
If the Earth was tilted more, would the Sun go higher in the summer and lower in the winter than it does now?
Yes, if the Earth was tilted more, the Sun would reach a higher point in the summer sky and a lower point in the winter sky.
Why does the North Star appear to stay still?
It is located almost directly above the North Pole along Earth's rotational axis, so other stars appear to rotate around it.
How did constellations help ancient people?
Farmers used them as a celestial calendar to track planting and harvesting times.