Spotting Constellations

ScienceSpace ExplorationAges 5–7

Recognise a few star patterns (constellations) in the night sky, starting with the Big Dipper (the Plough), and understand that the North Star (Polaris) can be found using the Big Dipper

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“On a clear night, could your child find the Big Dipper in the sky — or draw its shape from memory?”

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Activity. Recognise a few star patterns (constellations) in the night sky, starting with the Big Dipper (the Plough), and understand that the North Star (Polaris) can be found using the Big Dipper

What to notice. Identify or draw the Big Dipper (the Plough) as a pattern of seven stars • Explain that the two end stars of the Big Dipper's bowl point towards the North Star • State that constellations are patterns of stars that people have named

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On a clear night, could your child find the Big Dipper in the sky — or draw its shape from memory?

Recognise a few star patterns (constellations) in the night sky, starting with the Big Dipper (the Plough), and understand that the North Star (Polaris) can be found using the Big Dipper

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Check understanding

Identify or draw the Big Dipper (the Plough) as a pattern of seven stars
Explain that the two end stars of the Big Dipper's bowl point towards the North Star
State that constellations are patterns of stars that people have named