CONSTELLATIONS

Characteristics of Stars

I. Complete each statement

1. Star color ranges from red to blue.

2. Blue star is the hottest star. Example of blue star is Alnilam which has a temperature of 27 000°C.
3. Red star is the coldest star. Example of a red star is Proxima Centuari which has a temperature of 2 300 °C.
4. Example of a yellow star is Sun which has a temperature of 5 700 °C.
5. There are two factors that affect the brightness of a star: distance in relation to Earth and the actual brightness or
absolute brightness of the star.
6. Apparent brightness is the brightness as seen from the Earth. For example, Sirius looks brighter than Rigel because Sirius is
closer to Earth.
7. Absolute brightness is the brightness of the star would have if all stars were the same standard distance from Earth. For
example, Sirius is about 27 times as powerful as the Sun but Rigel has the power of many thousands of suns.

Constellations

8. For Greeks, Orion means hunter and prominent in the night sky during winter.
9. Orion is known as Balatik to Filipinos, a trap used in hunting wild pigs.
10. The three stars in line is known to Filipinos as Tatlong Maria or Tres Marias or Orion's belt to Greek.

Different star patterns throughout the year

II. Identify the prominent constellations during March, June, September and December night skies. Write your answers on the
respective columns.

March night sky June night sky September night sky December night sky

Bootes, Cancer, Crates, Sagittarius, Aquila, Pegasus, Andromeda, Orion, Cetus, Eridanus, Gemini,
Hydra, Leo, Virgo Cygnus, Hercules, Lyra Aquarius, Capricornus, Perseus, Taurus, Canis Major
Ophiuchus, Scorpius Pisces

Apparent movement of the stars

III. Complete each statement

1. The stars seem to move from east to west just like the Sun.
2. Polaris is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor.
3. Polaris stands above the north pole.
4. Star trail is a type of photograph that utilizes long exposure times to capture the apparent motion of stars in the night sky.
5. The two stars of Ursa Major that point directly the Polaris are Merak and Dubhe.

How early people used the constellations

1. Orion indicates the coming of cold season.

2. Gemini was interpreted as the end of planting season and signified as rich harvest.
3. Polaris is used for navigation.
IV. Stars and constellations were used by the Matigsalug Manobo of Bukidnon in their agriculture. Write the local names of the
constellations in each puzzle.

1. Buwaya - indicates the rainy season.

2. Gibbang - indicates rich harvest.
3. Malara - indicates the time of the end of planting.
4. Balatik - indicates the time of planting and setting of traps to protect the crops from animals.
5. Lepu - indicates the time of cleaning or clearing the fields while waiting for harvest time.
6. Pandarawa - indicates the time for the start of planning what kind of 6 crops to plant and how wide the area for planting should
be.
7. Baha - indicates the time for clearing the forest.
8. Malihe - indicates the time of planting of rice, corn, or vegetables.

V. Identify the names of the following pictures of constellations. Write your answer on each blank provided.

Ursa Major Orion

Gemini Ursa Minor

Pegasus Cassiopeia
VI. Crossword puzzle
 1 2
A U
Across
3 4
P B R I G E L

5
P O L A R I S
4. Blue star

A L A
5. North star

R A
8. Merak and Dubhe

E T M 6
T
9. Baha

N I A R
10. Little Dipper

7
T K J B E

8
P O I N T E R S

B R T

Down
R E M

I L A

1. Brightness due to distance

G G R

2. Big Dipper
H E I

9
3. Orion
T A U R U S U A
6. Orion’s belt
N S S
7. Red star
E E

10
U R S A M I N O R

TWO-TIER MULTIPLE CHOICE

Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. A. Which of the following stars does shine the brightest as they are seen from the Earth?

a. Rigel b. Sirius

B. Why do you think so?

a. Sirius has equal distance Rigel to the Earth.

b. Sirius is farther than Rigel to the Earth.
c. Sirius is closer than Rigel to the Earth.
d. Sirius is closer than Rigel to the Sun.

2. A. Which of the following stars is used for navigation?

a. Polaris b. Merak

B. Why do you think so?

 a. Merak is a pointer star.
b. Polaris is a pointer star.
c. Merak is a motionless star.
d. Polaris is a motionless star.

3. A. How do the stars appear to move?

a. West to East b. East to West

B. Why do you think so?

a. The Earth is rotating on its axis.

b. The universe is expanding
c. The night sky is rotating.
d. New galaxies are formed.

4. A. Which of the following arrangements is the correct sequence from hot to cold?

a. Alnilam, Sun, Proxima Centauri b. Proxima Centauri, Sun, Alnilam

B. Why do you think so?

a. Alnilam is a yellow star, Sun is a red star, and Proxima Centauri is a blue star.
b. Alnilam is a blue star, Sun is a red star, and Proxima Centauri is a red star.
c. Alnilam is a red star, Sun is a yellow star, and Proxima Centauri is a blue star.
d. Alnilam is a blue star, Sun is a yellow star, and Proxima Centauri is a blue star.

Alnilam is a blue star, Sun is a yellow star, & Proxima Centauri is a red star.

5. A. Which of the following months does the Matigsalug Manobo start to plant?

a. January b. February

B. Why do you think so?

a. The January night sky displays Pandarawa.

b. The February night sky displays Balatik.
c. The January night sky displays Balatik.
d. The February night sky displays Pandarawa.