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To cite this article: Myeong-Kyeong Shin (1998) How Many Stars Are in the Sky?, Science Activities: Classroom Projects and
Curriculum Ideas, 35:3, 17-22, DOI: 10.1080/00368129809600913
To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00368129809600913
18
SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
MIDNIGHT
6:OO P.M.
&
Big Dipper
BTg Dipper
Cassiopeia
ee
Betelgeuse
Shield
k
brightest
North Star
P.M.
2. Students should continue to observe, even if they cannot see any stars because of clouds. This will help them
understand diurnal changes and environmental factors.
Also, it will show them how a constellation changes over
time as noted in Figure 3.
'0
.@
Rigel
dimmest
Procedure
1. Students should observe and sketch Orion for 3 consecutive nights when Orion is in the winter southern sky.
When sketching, they should classify the stars by bright-
Materials
Ruler
Compass
Toilet paper or paper towel tube
Procedure (Exploration)
Part I
4. Divide the entire night sky and from it select a sample of stars. Students can gather star samples beginning at
Fall 1998
Sketch 1
9:15 P.M. Dec. 1
clear sky
SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
a-
\!
i'\
19
a-
Sketch 2
Sketch 2
20
SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
zenith
270"
I.
90"
SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
Fall 1998
21
a = angle in Figure 41
p = angle in Figure 41
0"
45"
90"
135"
180"
225"
270"
315"
Altitude
22.5O
45"
67.5"
Zenith (90")
Total:
Evaluation
22
SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
First
night
Second
night
Third
night
Fourth
night
Total number
of stars
Conclusion
-Jeffrey
How many stars did the students find? Was the number
close to 200 billion? If the students found fewer than this
number, teachers can hold a class discussion to discover
some of the causes. The discussion can include factors such
as cloud cover, smog, city lights, and weather conditions.
Students can also compare their numbers and discuss the
reasons for some of the differences. This activity is also useful because it teaches recycling through using the toilet
paper roll for a telescope.
References
Oxenhorn, J. M. 1982. Exploring the earth, sea, and sky. New
York: Globe Book Company.
Tomlinson, G., and A. Beckman. 1991. Count your lucky stars.
Science and Children 28(5): 21-23.