Show:
Stars
Constellations
Telescopes
Stargazing History
100
What is the closest star to Earth?
The Sun is the closest star!
100
What is a constellation?
A constellation is a certain group of bright stars that seem to form outlines of objects.
100
What can you use for stargazing if you don't have a telescope?
You can use binoculars!
100
What did some people in the early times think shooting stars meant?
Some people thought shooting stars meant the gods were angry.
200
Name two of the three different star colors.
The cooler stars are red, the warmer stars are yellow, and the hotter stars are bluish white.
200
How many constellations are there?
There are 88 total constellations.
200
What are observatories used for?
Observatories are buildings where astronomers study the sky.
200
About when was the first telescope invented?
The first telescope was invented in the 1600's.
300
How many light minutes is the Earth from the Sun?
The Sun is eight light minutes away from Earth.
300
What type of chart helps you locate the stars and constellations?
You can use a star chart to help you find objects in the sky.
300
Where are most of the huge telescopes?
They are in observatories.
300
Who was the first astronomer to study the night skies with a telescope?
Galileo Galilei was the first astronomer to study the night skies with a telescope.
400
What is the North Star called?
The North Star is called Polaris. Polaris won't always point North, though. In a few million years the stars will have moved.
400
About how many stars can you see on a clear, dark night?
You can see about 2,000 stars on a dark, clear night!
400
What are the two types of telescopes?
There are refracting and reflecting telescopes.
400
What type of telescope picks up radio waves and makes pictures from them?
A radio telescope picks up radio waves and makes pictures from them.
500
What type of star is our Sun?
Our Sun is a medium yellow star.
500
What constellation is the Big Dipper part of?
The Big Dipper is part of Ursa Major, or the Great Bear.
500
What are telescopes used for?
Telescopes are used to see stars more clearly. They are also used to see stars you can't see with your eyes.
500
What country is the world's biggest telescope in?
The world's biggest telescope is in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.