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Why do the stars change with the seasons?

Seasonal Patterns & Earth's Orbit
4.8 (17140 reviews)
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:
Take about 30 seconds to find the constellation in this starry sky. Then discuss: What season was this picture taken in?

AND THE ANSWER IS...
...Scorpius the Scorpion--it's SUMMER!

DISCUSS:
Take about 30 seconds to find the constellation in this starry sky. Then discuss: What season was this picture taken in?

AND THE ANSWER IS...
...Cygnus the Swan--it's AUTUMN!

DISCUSS:

Why do we see different constellations each season? Do you have any ideas that might explain it?

My friend Anthony thought it was because the Earth spins. Do you agree with this idea? Why or why not?

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DISCUSS:

Do you have any more ideas about WHY we might be seeing different constellations each season?

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Vocabulary Tip: Rotate vs. Revolve

Two words you will sometimes see to describe the Earth’s two movements are “rotate” and “revolve.” “Rotate” is the word used to describe Earth’s spin around its axis, which it completes once each day. “Revolve” is the word used to describe the Earth’s movement in its orbit around the sun, which takes one year to complete.

ROTATE = SPIN
REVOLVE = ORBIT

Both of these words start with the letter “r” and come from Latin, so at first it might be easy to mix them up. But here’s a helpful mnemonic device for keeping them straight:

“Rotate has an ‘a’ like ‘axis’.”

Slide Image
Slide Image

constellation


1 of 4

a group of stars that form a picture if you connect them with imaginary lines

rotate


2 of 4

to spin or turn around a central point, like the Earth around its axis
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orbit (revolve)


3 of 4

to circle another object, like the Earth around the Sun
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model


4 of 4

a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with
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Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Exploration
astronaut by NASA / Moved elements
kid looking out window by Unsplash / Heavily modified
foreground by Gino , used under CC BY / Heavily modified
fire by suman76 / merged with other imagery
stars by Stellarium / Some used with overlays, some heavily modified
winter ground by Denali National Park and Preserve , used under CC BY / Heavily modified
Orion Nebula by Rawastrodata , used under CC BY-SA / cropped, adjusted color, merged with other images
Pleiades star cluster by The United States Naval Observatory / cropped
spring ground by Carole a , used under CC BY-SA / Heavily modified
lion part 1 by 123 Free Vectors / Heavily modified
lion part 2 by Kaz / Heavily modified
Copernicus by Marcello Bacciarelli / significant modifications
Galileo by Félix Parra / cropped, adjusted contrast
star timelapse by John Fowler , used under CC BY / changed speed and color
sun by cheifyc / Heavily modified
pencil by JohannPoufPouf / Heavily modified
man by ClkerFreeVectorImages / Heavily modified
looking through binoculars by Halfblue , used under CC BY-SA / Heavily modified
Credits
Why do the stars change with the seasons?
Seasonal Patterns & Earth's Orbit
4.8 (17140 reviews)

Featured Reviews

“LOVED IT! The Universe in a box is a great craftivity that is a perfect model. I gave my kids homework to take their Universe in a Box home and explain why we see different stars in different seasons to their family members.”
· · Teacher
“The visuals that accompanied this lesson were perfect tools! My students sang praises to my ears as I heard those beloved "ooohhhh's, and aaaahhh's" of learning!”
· Jackie · Teacher
“Very well planned and explained for both teachers and students.The videos are interesting and informative. The investigations are easy to implement and the steps are easy for students to follow. ”
· Nicole · Teacher
“Excellent. Kids really love the hands on approach. They had a very good understanding of whey we see certain constellations at certain times of the year. ”
· Michael · Teacher
“The kids were so engaged in the making of part! For them, the most exciting thing was to being able to hold the universe in their hands :D For me as a teacher, te most exciting thing was to have them fully into the activity. ”
· Alejandra · Teacher
“The kids were so excited to connect some of what they already observed in the night sky with new learning, and especially to be able to answer a question they didn't even know they wondered about (Why do the stars change with the seasons)! As always, a GREAT lesson!”
· Monica · Teacher
“The best part for the kids was making the Universe in a box. Having all of the videos and pre/post lesson content wrapping around it was the best for me as a teacher.”
· Kelyn · Teacher
“All of it was excellent. We loved the video explanations with visuals. They really helped the students understand why they cant see certain constellations, Which led to good discussions. They really loved the Universe in a box.”
· Kevin · Teacher
“The children enjoyed the videos that explained the concept of why only certain constellations are able to be viewed in the sky during certain seasons. The hands-on activity was fun and easy to follow -- my students loved it!”
· Lisa · Teacher
“They loved the Universe in a Box! I also love how your projects can be made with such simple and inexpensive supplies-yet they are motivating and effective. ”
· Jeff · Teacher
“The universe in a box is a great activity!”
· Marisela · Teacher
“This was so much fun. My kids told their dad all about it later that night and couldnt wait to go out at night to see all of the stars and planets in the sky. It was so much fun. Thank you!”
· Ashley · Homeschooler
“The mystery kept my students engaged at all times and excited to complete the "universe in the box". I would highly recommend this activity if you're looking for a great interactive lesson on constellations, rotation, revolution and stars!”
· Kennese · Teacher
“It was fun and easy”
· Kathleen · Teacher
“For me it was when the students began to understand why the stars change with the seasons. The oohhs and aahhs were amazing, music to my teacher ears. As always, the kids absolutely loved the activity, making the universe in a box. ”
· Stephanie · Teacher
“I am amazed at how easy these lessons are to implement. Thank you so much!!!”
· Joyce · Teacher
“The students loved the Universe in a Box, took it home and many "taught" their parents. I have had so many each morning come in as they have looked for Orion's belt appearing in our winter sky. They are much more observant and our lessons are becoming more engaging as we discuss the solar system!”
· Sherri · Teacher
“The children love the models they get to make for each lesson. Helps them understand the explanation of what's happening and they get to interact more with the lesson.”
· Lesley · Homeschooler
“The students recognizing the constellations when they went home that evening and looked at the night sky.”
· Theodora · Teacher
“While the kids loved the activity, I loved how the videos explained the topic so well my kids GOT it. Well done.”
· Kristal · Homeschooler
“Again, they loved making the project! The universe in a box was easy to make and such a great visual for them to understand! All of these lessons are so perfect for teachers, too. Love it all!”
· Kara · Teacher
“The students were thrilled to learn about the constellations and their seasons that they appear.”
· Emeline · Teacher
“Students learned how the constellations changed with the seasons and why that happens. They also enjoyed identifying the constellations in the video. The box was a great take home activity that wasn't too complicated to make.”
· Stacy · Teacher
“Didn't have time to finish it. Loved it all. The constellations were our favorite.”
· Jay · Teacher
“SOOO fun for the kids and informative! Great lesson.”
· Cristine · Teacher
“The investigation was very creative”
· Diane · Teacher
“The students are able to really learn about why they see different constellations and different times of the year and then go home with their project and teach someone else. They love their make and take activities.”
· April · Teacher
“This was a fascinating lesson! We looked for stars at the end of March and got to see constellations from Winter AND Spring!!”
· Julie · Homeschooler
“The Universe in a Box is an awesome model that the kids loved making and helped guide understanding with stars changing with the seasons!”
· Corinne · Teacher
“The kids had to get a complete constellation guide after this lesson.”
· Stacey · Homeschooler
“The students LOVED making the dials with the different constellations in the different seasons! Once they saw this, they had an "ah-ha!" moment to where it all made sense to them”
· Alysia · Teacher
“I loved the hands-on approach and the fat that the students had to synthesize the information to answer the question.”
· Lisa · Teacher
“I really understood from the graphics in the video why we really see different stars each season. ”
· Miriam · Teacher
“Watching the video of earth's daily vs. monthly movement; they love seeing the sky in different seasons!”
· Jennifer · Teacher
“:) My students were so excited to talk about constellations. They even told me what they personally saw in the sky every night. ”
· · Teacher
“I love this program! Everything you need for engagement and NGSS alignment is here!”
· Lari · Teacher
“I love these lesson. Mystery Science does a great job of explaining complicated, more abstract concepts. I noticed many of my students having an ahahhh moment!”
· Laura · Teacher
“I was so excited I tried it myself last night! Can't wait to hear what the kids see this weekend!”
· Amy · Teacher
“Universe in a box was a big hit. It was clear and helped the students remember that we have seasons and we see different things in the sky because of orbits. ”
· Kylie · Teacher
“This lesson placed large concepts about space and our position into a small, understandable model. Great lesson!”
· Angela · Teacher
“The students' absolutely loved this lesson! ”
· Teresa · Teacher
“Student: "It was awesome! I loved learning about constellations and it really helped me learn why we have different seasons"”
· Zahra · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students will be introduced to the Earth’s orbital movement around the Sun, as a means of seeing why the constellations change. In the activity, Universe-in-a-Box, students make a paper model that helps them visualize the Earth’s yearly orbit around the Sun. They use this model to understand why some constellations are only visible during part of the year.
Preview activity

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Student slideshow: English | Spanish

Teacher printout: English & Spanish

I have a Mystery Pack

Constellation Guide & Universe-in-a-Box (Northern Hemisphere) printout
Alternatively, you can print our Southern Hemisphere version. 		1 per student
Universe-in-a-Box Answer Key teacher-only resource 1 per class
Universe-in-a-Box Teacher Tips worksheet 1 per class
Rulers
1 ruler per student
Scissors
1 pair per student
Paper Fasteners
1 fastener per student
Prep Instructions

No prep required.

Standards

Jump to

Exploration

20 mins

Hands-On Activity

25 mins

Extend this lesson

Unit Readings

Unit Readings

What Do A.M. and P.M. Mean?

In this reading, students learn where "A.M." and "P.M." come from.


How Does a Leaf Know When to Change Its Color?

In this reading, students learn that leaves start changing color in the fall because the length of day changes in the fall.


The Many Names for a Full Moon

In this reading, students learn about different names Algonquian peoples have traditionally used for the full moon during different months of the year.

Online Resource

Online Resource

Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD)

Each day, APOD features a different photograph of the universe, along with a short explanation by an astronomer. There's also a searchable APOD Archive.

Here are a few photos to get you started:

Activity

Activity

  • Sky Heroes — Students work in groups to identify a hero and to create a constellation to honor that person. Activity created by PBS is here and sky maps are here.

  • Finding Your Way to Mars, Pennsylvania — Students search the atlas for towns and natural landmarks with astronomical names.

Transcripts

Credits
 
Astronomy Lesson 4: Why do the stars change with the seasons?

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