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Astronomy Year / Week 09 / Friday
5/6
Week 09 · Star Colors and Brightness

Friday

Brightest in the night
// Hot stars, cool stars, near and far
⏱ about 15 min

Friday: Brightest in the night

Rocket asks, "What is the brightest star at night? Polaris?"

Raven smiles. "What do you notice? Polaris was hard to find."

Nova shows a list. "Hint: the brightest star has a name that starts with S."

Bright lights at night

The Moon is the brightest thing in the night sky.

Venus is next. It is a planet.

Sirius is the brightest star at night.

Polaris is not very bright at all.

BRIGHTEST TO DIMMER
  • Tap a card.
  • Then tap its spot.
11
22
33
44
BRIGHT CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
What is the brightest star in the night sky?
Venus is brighter than Sirius. Is Venus a star?
For a grown-up
Sirius is in the winter evening sky near Orion.
Follow Orion's belt downward to find it.

Stars, planets and the Moon

Bright lightWhat is it?
The MoonOur Moon, it reflects sunlight
VenusA planet, it reflects sunlight
SiriusA star, it makes its own light
PolarisA star, not very bright
NIGHT LIGHTS
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which bright light makes its own light?
Which season is Sirius up in the evening?
Is Polaris the brightest star at night?
Which is brighter at night, Venus or Sirius?
Bright factTrue or false?
The Moon is the brightest thing in the night sky.?
Sirius is a planet.?
Venus reflects sunlight.?
Polaris is the brightest star at night.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEKnowing what each bright light is helps you name it.
Try it
Make four paper circles: big, medium, small and tiny.
Label them Moon, Venus, Sirius and Polaris.
Line them up from brightest to dimmest.
Draw the night sky with the Moon, Venus and Sirius.

You ranked the night lights! Tomorrow night you go on a color hunt.

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