9

SCIENCE
Quarter 3 – Week 8 & 9
Module 6: CONSTELLATIONS

AIRs - LM
SCIENCE 9
Quarter 3 – Week 8 & 9 - Module 6: Constellations
First Edition, 2021

Copyright © 2021
La Union Schools Division

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form
without written permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: Isidro Mar S. Lales

Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team
Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos, Jr., P II

Management Team:

Atty. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent

Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, Ph.D

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

German E. Flora, Ph.D, CID Chief

Virgilio C. Boado, Ph.D, EPS in Charge of LRMS

Rominel S. Sobremonte, Ed.D, EPS in Charge of Science

Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II

Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II

 Target

In this module, you will learn about the patterns that forms from group of
stars. These patterns in the night sky appear to move in the course of the night
because of Earth’s rotation. Different star patterns are seen at different times of the
year because of the Earth’s movement around the Sun. you will also learn how early
people uses constellations in their lives.
After going through this module, you are expected to attain the following
objectives.

Learning Competency

• Show which constellations may be observed at different times of the

year using models.
Subtasks:
• Name some famous constellations.
• Draw constellations.
• Describe the apparent motion of constellations in each month;
• Explain the reason behind the change in position of the constellations
in each month.
Pre-test
Multiple Choice
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the letter of your answer on a
separate paper.

1. What are the group of stars in the sky that appear to an Earth observer as
patterns of figures from the myths and legends of ancient civilizations?
A. Asterism B. Constellation
C. Sub-constellation D. Assembly

2. The three belt stars of constellation Orian are Minataka, Alnilam, and Alnitak.
These three are locally known as Tres Marias. “Tres Marias” is a/an ___________.
A. Asterism B. Constellation
C. Sub-constellation D. Assembly

3. What Characteristic is true of a constellation?

A. Its stars are fixed in the sky.
B. It moves daily across the night sky from east to west.
C. It changes position in the sky every 24 hours in the west-to-east direction
D. The Big Dipper is found in the constellation Ursa Minor.

4. How do stars appear to move in the night sky?

A. From east to west B. From north to south
C. From west to east D. From south to north

5. Why do stars appear to move in the sky?

A. The Earth is rotating on its axis. B. The universe is expanding.
C. The night sky is rotating D. New galaxies are formed.

6. If you are located at the North Pole, where will you see the Polaris?
A. Overhead B. Just above the horizon
C. Around 45 ̊ from the horizon D. Polaris will not be seen in the North Pole

7. Which constellation is used by ancient people as end of planting season;

signifies rich harvest?
A. Gemini B. Orion C. Pegasus D. Virgo

8. The star Algol is estimated to be as bright as the star Aldebaran and have
approximately the same temperature as the star Rigel. Which of the following
statement is correct?
A. Algol and Rigel have same color.
B. Algol and Rigel have the same brightness.
C. Algol and Aldebaran have the same in size.
D. Algol and Rigel have the same brightness and color.
9. The constellation below represents the constellation Cygnus. Which statement
best explains why Cygnus is visible to an observer in Manila in
September but not visible in March?
A. Earth spins on its axis.
B. Earth orbits the Sun.
C. Cygnus spins on its axis.
D. Cygnus orbits the Earth.

10. The constellation Pisces changes position during a night, as shown in the
diagram below. Which motion is mainly responsible for this change in position?
A. Revolution of Earth around the Sun B. Rotation of Earth on its axis
C. Revolution of Pisces around the Sun D. Rotation of Pisces on its axis

11. What local constellation signifies the start of rainy season in the Philippines?
A. Balara B. Balatik C. Buwaya D. Lepu

12. Which constellation help sailors to navigate at the sea?

A. Andromeda B. Pisces C. Orion D. Ursa Minor

13. If you are located at the North Pole, where will you see the Polaris?
A. Overhead B. Just above the horizon
C. Around 45° from the horizon D. Polaris will not be seen in the North Pole

14. Stars can be found in large groups throughout the universe. What are these
groups called?
A. Asteroids B. Comets C. Constellations D. Solar system

15. Why can we see different parts of the sky at different times of the year?
A. Due to the tilt of the earth’s axis
B. Due to the rotation of the earth
C. Due to the revolution of the earth
D. Due to the revolution of the moon
 Lesson
1 Patterns in the Sky
Have you gone cloud-watching? If you have, you know that cumulus clouds
sometimes assume familiar figures, like a flock of sheep against the blue sky. In a
similar way, there are stars in the sky that appear to an Earth observer as patterns
of figures from the myths and legends of ancient civilizations. Such distinct patters
of stars in the sky are known as constellations.

Jumpstart
Complete the following word inside the box by locating the correct words in the grid
below. Write your answer in a separate paper.

Cons___________ Con___ct R___tion Mov___nt

Aste____ Pat______ Revo______
St__s Po____s Appar___

D F G E R T Y R O T A T I O N A D N R X
Q K L P A F F S D E X C V B G N M G E F
L A L E S S R F G H G J D B D W W R V J
C O N S T E L L A T I O N K Z E E T O G
F G H D E B G D F S E E D L C R T I L F
M A R U R D A P P A R E N T K G D K U D
Y T R E I W D F G H B V X C J D G M T R
C V B N S M F H T E W W R O F G Z C I Y
A G H S M X C D S S E R T N R H B D O W
A D F H J H K V T X G B N N T J G S N O
Q W S D F C G R A Y J H G E I F J K T P
D F G H J K B V R Z X C D C Y C S M E J
P U R E S D F T S H P A T T E R N S Y L
P O L A R I S M N C X S G I R F T F F G
T Y U F J K L X C F B M G P E J J I M Y
S D F G H J U I M O V E M E N T D U J R
 Discover
STARS IN THE NIGHT SKY: ASTERISMS AND CONSTELLATIONS

“How I wonder what you are!” we used to say to stars as we recited the
kindergarten rhyme. We wondered what stars were. We compared them to glittering
jewels; they seemed like diamonds in the sky. They are points of light that we see in
the night sky.

Stars are seen night after night. We have become familiar with stars especially
those that we recognize in some patterns. Some of us are familiar with those stars
that form the W pattern and the three stars in a row, known to us as the Tres Marias
(an allusion to the three Marys on Mt. Calvary) and the familiar dippers.

It is easy to remember when we see patterns. The shape of the big dipper, the
small “dipper, and the W shape appear when we “connect the dots”, as in the days
of pre-school. By doing so, we get simple patters.

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/598626975455711633/ https://astrobackyard.com/cassiopeia-constellation/

A pattern the we recognize on the night sky is called an asterism. The familiar
Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, W, and the Tres Marias are asterisms. Asterism are
small and simple pattern in the sky. Like us, people in the ancient times observed
the night sky. They have figured out very complicated images in the shapes of
animals, men and women, gods, and goddesses. Can you see the patterns of the
dippers in the stars?

A larger grouping or arrangement of stars is called a constellation (from two

Latin words, cum, together with; and stella, star). An asterism forms part of a
constellation. The big dipper is part of the constellation Ursa Major (Big Bear) and
the Litter Dipper is part of Ursa Minor (Little Bear).
Asterisms and constellations seem to be together because they are seen in the same
general direction. The individual stars are at different distance from us.
 https://stock.adobe.com/ph/images/the-ursa- https://thestarsandplanets.com/solar/january.html
major-and-theursa-minor-
constellations/28032736?asset_id=36632118

Motions of the Stars and Constellations

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The moon, in whatever phase,
rises in the east and sets in the west. The new moon rises and sets at sunset. The
full moon rises in the east at sunset and sets at sunrise. The stars and constellations,
too, rise in the east and set in the west. We perceived all celestial bodies rising in the
east because earth rotates from west to east.

The whole sky in filled up with stars and constellations. As the earth rotates,
we perceive the whole sky moving from east to west. If the whole sky is imagined to
be a celestial sphere around the earth, the it is as if this celestial sphere is slowly
moving around the earth. All the constellations move together with this celestial
sphere. As soon as darkness sets it, we see the stars at their evening positions. After
some time, we see that the constellations have moved. We see them, shifting positions
from east to west. To a night sky observer, the visible sky is seen moving westward.
Those constellations that are at the eastern horizon in the early evening will rise until
they are overhead by midnight. They will set in the west by sunrise. If a constellation
is overhead in the early evening, it will move down to the western horizon to set at
about midnight. Constellations near the western skies will set in a few hours.
The constellations visible at a certain time of the year are those constellations
that are in opposition to the sun. A constellation is in opposition to the sun when it
is on the side of the sky facing the night side of the earth while the sun is shining on
the other side of the earth. Because the earth is revolving around the sun, the
constellations in opposition change through the year. We see the sun in different
constellations month by month.

How Early People Used the Constellations

While constellations were associated with religion, they also have practical
uses. Before the calendars, people had no way of determining when to sow or harvest
except by looking at these patterns in the sky. Ancient people developed a way to
remember the patterns by giving these patterns names and stories. For example, in
the northern hemisphere, the constellation Orion indicates the coming of cold
season. The constellations made it easier for them to recognize and interpret patterns
in the sky. For example, Gemini is seen in the Philippines during the months of April
and May. Farmers interpreted the appearance of Gemini as the end of planting
season and it signified rich harvest.

Local Name Month of Related Agricultural Western

Appearance Activity Equivalent
Baha December to Clearing of forest Taurus
February
Pandarawa January Start of planning what Pleiades
kind of crops to be
planted and how wide is
the area to be planted
Balatik February Start of planting and Orion’s Belt
setting of traps to
protect the crops from
animals
Malihe March Planting of rice, corn, or
vegetables
Gibbang April and May End of planting season; Gemini
signifies rich harvest
Malara May Stop planting Canis Minor
Lepu Late May Time to clean or clear Aquila
the fields while waiting
for harvest time
Buwaya June Start of the rainy season

Other Uses
Another use of constellations was in navigation. The Polaris is widely used in
navigation because it does not change its position at any time of the night or year.
Also, one can figure out his/her latitude just by looking at how high Polaris appears
in the night sky. This allowed sailors to find their way as they sail across the seas.
 Explore

Activity 2: LET’S DO THE DOTS

I. OBJECTIVE/S:
• Name some famous constellations.
• Draw constellations.
II. MATERIALS:
• Star pattern, Pencil, Ruler
III. PROCEDURES:
1. Draw the different dot to dot pattern of constellations using the star pattern.
2. Name the constellations in the star map using the clues on the box below.
1. A 6. F 11. K 16. P 21. U 26. Z
2. B 7. G 12. L 17. Q 22. V
3. C 8. H 13. M 18. R 23. W
4. D 9. I 14. N 19. S 24. X
5. E 10. J 15. O 20. T 25. Y

21 18 19 1 13 1 10 15 18 15 18 9 15 14

21 18 19 1 13 9 14 15 18 3 1 19 19 9 15 16 5 9 1

7 5 13 9 14 9

https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/2020/06/18/starry-starry-night/
Analysis

1. What do the dots represent?

2. How are constellations formed?
3. Give at least three familiar constellations, explain why are they familiar to
you.

Deepen

Activity 3: PATTERNS IN THE SKY

OBJECTIVES:
After performing this activity, you should be able to:
1. describe the apparent motion of constellations in each month;
2. explain the reason behind the change in position of the constellations in each
month.

MATERIALS NEEDED:
• Star maps for each month
• Pencil

PROCEDURE:
1. Look at the series of star maps below. This is how you see the night sky in the
Philippines at different months of the year.

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/420805158932102547/ https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/536772849316377598/
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/536772849316377518/ https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/5903944509306428/

https://www.pinterest.ph/amp/pin/455285843555974604/ https://www.pinterest.ph/amp/pin/105342078772771484/

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/565131453232337588/ https://www.pinterest.ph/amp/pin/496873771370870728/
 https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/301670875040247286/ https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/687995280562764112/

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/384002305730900692/ https://www.pinterest.ph/amp/pin/40884309091936682/

Guide Questions:
1. Compare the star maps. What do you notice?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. Focus your attention on the constellation Orion. What do you observe in its
position in the night sky throughout the year?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. What month/s is it seen in the night sky? What month/s is it not seen?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
4. What do you think is the reason behind the change of position of the
constellations throughout the year?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Activity 4: Apparent Movement of the Stars through the Night

Objectives

• Describe the apparent motion of stars at night.

Procedure:

1. On a clear night sky, look at the stars from 7 pm to 11 pm.

2. Focus on one or two constellations like the Small Dipper and Orion which
are best seen in the month of December.
3. Look at the stars clearly every hour of the night, from 7 pm to 11 pm.

Guide questions:
Q1. Compare the position of the stars in the sky. What do you notice?

Q2. Are the stars visible at 7 pm still visible at 11 pm in their “original

position”? Why is this so?

Q3. How do the stars move? Describe the movement of the stars in the night
sky.

Q4. How is the motion of stars similar to the motion of the Sun?

By observing Sun’s movement and position in the sky, we can tell what time
of the day it is. When it seems to rise in the east, it is morning. When it is above us,
it is noon. When it seems to move towards the west, it is afternoon. At night, stars
are used to tell the time. Just like the Sun, stars also seem to move from East to
West.

The Polaris

Polaris, commonly known as North Star, is the brightest star in the

constellation Ursa Minor (Little Dipper). It is very close to the north celestial pole,
making it the current northern pole star. Because it lies nearly in a direct line with
the axis of the Earth's rotation "above" the North Pole, Polaris stands almost
motionless in the sky, and all the stars of the Northern sky appear to rotate around
it. In Figure 3, Polaris and the star trail are seen. Star trail is a type of photograph
that utilizes long exposure times to capture the apparent motion of stars in the
night sky due to the rotation of the Earth.
 Gauge

Multiple Choice
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the letter of your answer on a
separate paper.

1. What are the group of stars in the sky that appear to an Earth observer as
patterns of figures from the myths and legends of ancient civilizations?
A. asterism B. constellation
C. sub-constellation D. assembly

2. The three belt stars of constellation Orian are Minataka, Alnilam, and Alnitak.
These three are locally known as Tres Marias. “Tres Marias” is a/an ___________.
A. asterism B. constellation
C. sub-constellation D. assembly

3. What Characteristic is true of a constellation?

A. Its stars are fixed in the sky.
B. It moves daily across the night sky from east to west.
C. It changes position in the sky every 24 hours in the west-to-east direction
D. The Big Dipper is found in the constellation Ursa Minor.

4. How do stars appear to move in the night sky?

A. From east to west B. From north to south
C. From west to east D. From south to north

5. Why do stars appear to move in the sky?

A. The Earth is rotating on its axis. B. The universe is expanding.
C. The night sky is rotating D. New galaxies are formed.

6. If you are located at the North Pole, where will you see the Polaris?
A. Overhead B. Just above the horizon
C. Around 45 ̊ from the horizon D. Polaris will not be seen in the North Pole

7. Which constellation is used by ancient people as end of planting season;

signifies rich harvest?
A. Gemini B. Orion C. Pegasus D. Virgo

8. The star Algol is estimated to be as bright as the star Aldebaran and have
approximately the same temperature as the star Rigel. Which of the following
statement is correct?
A. Algol and Rigel have same color.
B. Algol and Rigel have the same brightness.
C. Algol and Aldebaran have the same in size.
D. Algol and Rigel have the same brightness and color.
9. The constellation in the right side represents the constellation Cygnus. Which
statement best explains why Cygnus is visible to an observer
in Manila in September but not visible in March?
A. Earth spins on its axis.
B. Earth orbits the Sun.
C. Cygnus spins on its axis.
D. Cygnus orbits the Earth.

10. The constellation Pisces changes position during a night, as shown in the
diagram below. Which motion is mainly responsible for this change in position?
A. Revolution of Earth around the Sun C. Revolution of Pisces around the Sun
B. Rotation of Earth on its axis D. Rotation of Pisces on its axis

11. What local constellation signifies the start of rainy season in the Philippines?
A. Balara B. Balatik C. Buwaya D. Lepu

12. Which constellation help sailors to navigate at the sea?

A. Andromeda B. Pisces C. Orion D. Ursa Minor

13. If you are located at the North Pole, where will you see the Polaris?
A. Overhead B. Just above the horizon
C. Around 45° from the horizon D. Polaris will not be seen in the North Pole

14. Stars can be found in large groups throughout the universe. What are these
groups called?
A. Asteroids B. Comets
C. Constellations D. Solar system

15. Why can we see different parts of the sky at different times of the year?
A. Due to the tilt of the earth’s axis
B. Due to the rotation of the earth
C. Due to the revolution of the earth
D. Due to the revolution of the moon
Pre-test Gauge
11) B 11. C 1) B 11. C
12) A 12. D 2) A 12. D
13) B 13. A 3) B 13. A
14) A 14. C 4) A 14. C
15) A 15. C 5) A 15. C
16) A 6) A
17) A 7) A
18) D 8) D
19) B 9) B
20) B 10) B
Constellation Connect Rotation Movement
Asterism Patterns Revolution
Stars Polaris Apparent
R O T A T I O N R
A E
S V
C O N S T E L L A T I O N O
E L
R A P P A R E N T U
I C T
S O I
M S N O
T N N
A E
R C
S P A T T E R N S
P O L A R I S
M O V E M E N T
Answer Key
Let’s do the Dots
1. URSA MAJOR
2. ORION
3. URSA MINOR
4. CASSIOPEIA
5. GEMINI
Analysis
1. the dots represents the stars
2. Constellations are formed by
group of stars that appears to
form a pattern of pictures.
3. Answers may vary
Patterns in the Sky
1. The constellations are located in different positions in each month.
2. the constellation Orion changes position throughout the year from east to
west in certain months.
3. The constellation Orion can be seen in the night sky from November to April.
It cannot be seen from May to October.
4. Earth’s Revolution around the sun.
Apparent Movement of the Stars through the Night
1. The stars shift position as the night deepen.
2. No, because the stars are observed to be moving from left to right due to
the earth’s rotation.
3. The stars move from left to right or east to west.
4. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Similarly, the stars and
constellations rise in the east and sets in the west.
References
2014. Science-Grade 9 Learner's Module. 1st ed. Pasig City: Department of
Education, pp. 155-158.

2014. Science-Grade 9 Teacher’s Guide. 1st ed. Pasig City: Department of Education,
pp. 130-133.

Rabago, ALumaga, Antero, Joaquin, Lagunzad, Crisostomo, Padua, Boncodin,

Toledo, Mingoa. 2014. Science and Technology. 1253 G. Araneta Ave., Quezon City:
Vibal Group, Inc.

Angeles, Delfin, Lieza Crisostomo, Darwin Quinsaat, and Salina Toledo. 2013.
Science Vistas 9. Makati City: Salesiana Books by Don Bosco Press.

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/598626975455711633/

https://astrobackyard.com/cassiopeia-constellation/

https://stock.adobe.com/ph/images/the-ursa-major-and-the-ursa-minor-
constellations/28032736?asset_id=36632118

https://thestarsandplanets.com/solar/january.html