STAR​
PATTERNS​
PATTERNS​
What is a constellation?
A pattern of stars.
What are the different shapes the Moon appears to have during a month called?
Moon phases
What is the invisible line through Earth’s North and South Poles called?
Axis
Name two Florida places connected to space exploration.
Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral.
What tool helps us see far-away objects in space?
A telescope.
Do the patterns of stars (constellations) change from year to year?
No. The patterns stay the same year after year.
Does the Moon make its own light?
No. It reflects sunlight.
What is rotation, and how long does one rotation take?
Rotation is the spin of Earth on its axis. It takes about 24 hours or 1 day for 1 rotation.
Name one way space programs create new technology.
Examples include satellites, GPS, or medical tools.
What does NASA stand for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Why do constellations appear to move across the night sky?
Because Earth rotates.
What causes the Moon’s appearance to change during a month?
The Moon’s orbit around Earth causes its phases.
What causes day and night?
Earth’s rotation—not the Sun moving—causes day and night.
How does space research help Florida’s economy and culture?
It provides jobs and tourism, helping Florida’s economy and culture.
What is the International Space Station used for, and who lives there?
It is used to conduct experiments and study conditions in space; astronauts from around the world live and work there.
Why are different constellations visible in different seasons?
Because Earth revolves around the Sun.
Put these phases in order:
New Moon
Full Moon
First Quarter
New Moon → First Quarter → Full Moon.
What is revolution, and how long does it take?
Revolution is Earth moving around the Sun. It takes 365 days or 1 year
Why was Merritt Island chosen for Kennedy Space Center?
It is close to the equator, so rockets can use Earth’s spin to help create force.
What is the difference between a rover and a probe?
A rover lands on the surface of another planet
A probe travels into deep space to collect samples or data and does not land on a planet.
Explain how Earth’s movement affects what we see in the night sky.
1. Earth’s rotation makes stars appear to move across the sky
2. Earth’s revolution around the Sun causes different constellations to be visible in different seasons.
A first-quarter Moon is seen tonight. About how long until the same phase appears again?
About four weeks, or one month.
What gives us seasons?
Earth tilts on its axis
Name one way Kennedy Space Center brings money or visitors to Florida.
Examples:
tourists watch launches, the Visitor Complex attracts visitors; school programs, scientists, engineers, astronauts, reporters, and private companies bring activity to the area.
Which telescope launched in 2021 and orbits the Sun along with Earth? How is it different from Hubble?
The James Webb Space Telescope. Webb launched in 2021 and orbits the Sun; Hubble launched in 1990 and orbits Earth.