Stars and Brightness — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The Big Dipper is a constellation made up of seven planets.
Corrected: The Big Dipper is a constellation made up of seven stars.
The Big Dipper is composed of seven bright stars that form a ladle shape, not planets.
2. Fix the sentence:
Orion is easily recognized by it three belt stars.
Corrected: Orion is easily recognized by its three belt stars.
The possessive pronoun its (no apostrophe) shows the belt belongs to Orion.
3. Fix the sentence:
Cassiopeia look like a giant W or M in the sky.
Corrected: Cassiopeia looks like a giant W or M in the sky.
The singular subject Cassiopeia requires the singular verb looks for proper agreement.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The constellation called the Big Dipper is part of a larger pattern named Ursa Major.
Ursa Major is the official constellation; the Big Dipper is an asterism within it.
2. The bright star at the end of the Little Dipper's handle is called Polaris.
Polaris sits almost directly above Earth's North Pole, making it useful for navigation.
3. Constellations appear in different parts of the sky during different seasons of the year.
As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different sections of the galaxy each season.
4. The constellation Orion contains a famous row of three bright stars called Orion's Belt.
Orion's Belt is one of the easiest star patterns to spot in the winter sky.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Why does Polaris help travelers find their direction at night?
Sample answer: Polaris sits almost directly above the North Pole, so it always points north and stays nearly still in the sky.
Because Polaris aligns with Earth's rotational axis, it appears fixed and reliably indicates true north.
2. Why do we see different constellations at different times of the year?
Sample answer: As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space, so different star patterns become visible each season.
Earth's orbital motion changes which region of the sky lies opposite the Sun at night.