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๐ฌ Think about it
Have you noticed that the stars you see in winter are not the same as in summer? In Grade 6 you were told to look for certain stars at certain times of year. Why does the night sky keep changing? Let us find out.
The Earth's orbit showing different stars each season.
Why does the night sky change over a year?
- The Earth revolves around the Sun continuously.
- So we look in different directions through the year.
- Different stars rise at sunset in different months.
- The night sky after sunset gradually changes over a year.
Example:
Looking at the same time of night a month apart, you see the star pattern has shifted.
A viewer seeing different stars in different months.
๐ฟ Fascinating Facts
The Bhil and Pawara reading star patterns for the monsoon.
- The Bhil and Pawara are communities from the Tapi Valley.
- They live in western India.
- They watched certain star patterns in the sky.
- These patterns marked the arrival of the monsoon rain.
Important Points
- The Earth's revolution changes our view of the night sky.
- Different stars rise at sunset in different months.
โ Test Yourself
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Why do different stars appear over a year?
View Answer
Because the Earth revolves around the Sun. -
What is the Earth's orbit?
View Answer
The path it takes around the Sun. -
How long is one revolution of the Earth?
View Answer
About 365 days and 6 hours. -
Do the same stars rise at sunset all year?
View Answer
No, different stars rise at sunset in different months. -
How can you notice the sky changing?
View Answer
Look at the same time of night a month apart.
