Tracing the Sky
Student Star
Journal
An observation journal for exploring the night sky and the patterns it holds.
This Journal Belongs To:
Welcome
Welcome to Tracing the Sky
Begin with what you already imagine
Before you begin, take a few minutes to draw what you think the solar system looks like. Include anything you think belongs there, and show how the objects are arranged or how they move.
Draw your solar system model here.
After you draw, pause for a moment and ask yourself: How do I know this is what the solar system looks like?
Would it surprise you to learn that humans figured out the structure of the solar system without ever leaving Earth? They figured it out by watching the sky closely, noticing patterns, and imagining the hidden structure behind what they could see.
This journal will help you become more familiar with the main celestial bodies and the patterns in their motion. You will use digital tools to make careful observations, and you will also find guided outdoor activities you can try when you have the time, ability, and conditions to do so.
Stargazing can be challenging: weather, light, time, and location all matter. Do not worry if you cannot complete every outdoor activity; try as many as you can. Keep observing, keep wondering, and keep tracing the sky.
Part One
Stars
Journey 1 · Page 1
Midnight Discovery
Practice drawing the constellations you find, keeping each one turned the same way you see it.
Open Tracing the Sky
Start with the Midnight Discovery journey
Use a computer to open Tracing the Sky, then explore the midnight sky before you draw.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start the Midnight Discovery journey.
- After finding all the constellations, choose three that stood out to you. Draw each one below in the same orientation you see in the app.
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Journey 1 · Page 2
Midnight Discovery
Draw three constellations from midnight
Constellation 01
Name:
Constellation 02
Name:
Constellation 03
Name:
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Journey 2 · Page 3
02:00
Practice looking carefully a second time
Open Tracing the Sky
Start your second journey
Use a computer to return to the same sky and practice finding constellations again.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start the 2:00 a.m. journey.
- At this new time, find the same constellations again. Redraw the same three below, copying their new orientation: notice whether each shape has turned, tilted, or still faces the same way.
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Journey 2 · Page 4
02:00
Redraw the same constellations at 2:00 a.m.
Constellation 01
Name:
Constellation 02
Name:
Constellation 03
Name:
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Journey 3 · Page 5
04:00
You have seen the sky change; now notice the pattern
Open Tracing the Sky
Start your third journey
Use a computer to check the same constellation set one more time and compare what you see.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start the 4:00 a.m. journey.
- At this new time, find the same constellations again. Redraw the same three below, copying their new orientation: notice whether each shape has turned, tilted, or still faces the same way.
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Journey 3 · Page 6
04:00
Redraw the same constellations before dawn
Constellation 01
Name:
Constellation 02
Name:
Constellation 03
Name:
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Reflection · Page 7
Reflection
Look back at the first three journeys
Think about what you noticed as you returned to the sky at different times. Use these questions to help you write.
- Did anything seem to change after seeing the stars at different times?
- Were some constellations visible at one time but not another?
- Did any new constellations appear?
- Did the shapes look like they turned, tilted, or faced a new direction?
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Bring It Outside · Page 8
Bring It Outside
The real sky is waiting
Bring It Outside
Choose tonight's constellations
Use the Tracing the Sky constellation finder to choose three constellations that will be visible tonight where you live.
Find constellations visible tonight.
Open app.tracingthesky.com/constellations, set your location, and choose three constellations to look for outside. - Choose three constellations that will be visible where you live.
- Go outside and find each constellation.
- Draw each constellation at three different times.
- Write the constellation name on each page and the time in each drawing box.
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Bring It Outside 01
Constellation Name:
Time 1:
horizon
Time 2:
horizon
Time 3:
horizon
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Bring It Outside 02
Constellation Name:
Time 1:
horizon
Time 2:
horizon
Time 3:
horizon
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Bring It Outside 03
Constellation Name:
Time 1:
horizon
Time 2:
horizon
Time 3:
horizon
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Journey 4 · Page 12
The Center of the Stars
compare the north and south sky
Open Tracing the Sky
Start the Center of the Stars journey
Use the app to compare how the northern and southern sky move around you.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start The Center of the Stars journey.
- Move time forward and backward while watching how the stars travel.
North
Draw the North Star, Polaris. Then choose one constellation and draw where it is at three different times. Label the constellation positions you draw.
South
Face the opposite direction from Polaris. You are facing south. Choose one constellation and draw where it is at three different times. Label the constellation positions you draw.
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Journey 4 · Page 13
Reflection
Think about the paths stars travel
Look back at your north and south drawings. What seems different about the path of stars close to Polaris compared with the path of constellations when you face south?
- Which stars or constellations seemed to travel in circles?
- Which stars or constellations seemed to rise, arc across the sky, or set?
- What makes Polaris useful when you are trying to understand motion?
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Journey 5 · Page 14
The Stars Across Days
Track what first rises before sunrise
Open Tracing the Sky
Start The Stars Across Days journey
Use a computer to move through the year and observe the eastern horizon right before sunrise.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start The Stars Across Days journey.
- Observe the sky right before sunrise.
- Move forward one day at a time, watching carefully for what appears near the eastern horizon.
After completing the journey, go back through your observations. Record each constellation's name, the date when it appeared near the eastern horizon, and the sunrise time.
| # | Constellation Name | First Date Rising in the East | Sunrise Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 | |||
| 6 | |||
| 7 | |||
| 8 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 10 | |||
| 11 | |||
| 12 |
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Journey 5 · Page 15
Reflection
Look back at the order you discovered
After you finish your table, look back at the order the constellations appeared near the eastern horizon.
- What did you notice about the order in which the constellations appeared?
- Did the same constellations return in a pattern, or did the sky seem random?
- About how many days passed before a new constellation appeared?
- If you kept going for a full year, what do you predict would happen?
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Bring It Outside · Page 16
Bring It Outside
Rising and setting constellations
Find tonight's zodiac constellations.
Open app.tracingthesky.com/zodiac to see which zodiac constellations are in the sky. Then decide which one is rising and which one is setting. Complete this observation on three different dates, at least one month apart.
Observation Location:
Observation 01
Date:
Time:
Constellation:
Rising Setting
Observation 02
Date:
Time:
Constellation:
Rising Setting
Observation 03
Date:
Time:
Constellation:
Rising Setting
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Bring It Outside · Page 17
Rising and Setting
Sketch the horizon for each observation
Observation Location:
Observation 01 Sketch
Sketch the horizon and the direction you looked
Observation 02 Sketch
Sketch the horizon and the direction you looked
Observation 03 Sketch
Sketch the horizon and the direction you looked
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Part Two
Sun
Sun Journey 1 · Page 18
From Dawn to Dusk
Draw the path the Sun travels
Open Tracing the Sky
Start From Dawn to Dusk journey
Use a computer to follow the Sun through a full day and mark the shape of its path.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start From Dawn to Dusk.
- Move through the day and drop a marker every 5 minutes along the Sun's path.
- Plot the points you observed below, then connect them to show the Sun's path.
- Record the sunrise time and sunset time.
Sun's Path
Plot the Sun's positions you observed. Connect the points to show the path the Sun traveled.
horizon
Sunrise Time:
Sunset Time:
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Sun Journey 2 · Page 19
The Slow Drift of Dawn
Track sunrise across many days
Open Tracing the Sky
Start The Slow Drift of Dawn journey
Use a computer to compare where the Sun rises on different dates.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start The Slow Drift of Dawn.
- Move forward through the year and check where the Sun rises every 5 days.
- Mark where the Sun rises on the horizon.
After completing the journey, go back through your observations. Choose 10 observations that are at least 20 days apart. Record the date, sunrise time, and sunset time for each one.
| Observation | Date | Sunrise Time | Sunset Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 | |||
| 6 | |||
| 7 | |||
| 8 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 10 |
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Sun Journey 3 · Page 20
The Sun's Secret Road
Follow the Sun against the stars
Open Tracing the Sky
Start The Sun's Secret Road journey
Use a computer to mark where the Sun appears against the background stars as the days pass.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start The Sun's Secret Road.
- Drop a marker where the Sun is every 5 days.
- Notice that each marker stays fixed to the background stars, not to your local horizon.
- Keep going until the markers begin to reveal the path the Sun follows through the stars.
After the journey, trace the Sun's path. Record each constellation it crossed, plus the dates when it entered and left each constellation. Then note when each constellation first appears rising in the east before sunrise.
| # | Constellation | Start + End Dates | First Seen Rising Before Sunrise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 | |||
| 6 | |||
| 7 | |||
| 8 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 10 | |||
| 11 | |||
| 12 |
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Sun Journey 3 · Page 21
Reflection
Connect the Sun's road to the stars
Look back at your table. The constellations on this path are not random: they are the constellations the Sun appears to travel through during the year.
- Which constellations did the Sun pass through?
- Are these some of the same constellations you saw appearing before sunrise?
- What do these constellations seem to have in common?
- Why might these constellations be special compared with other constellations?
- If the Sun follows this same road every year, what could people use this pattern to track?
The constellations along the Sun's yearly road are called the zodiac.
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Bring It Outside · Page 22
Bring It Outside
Noon shadows across days
Bring It Outside
Noon shadow measurements
Do this outside at local noon from the same safe spot each time. Place a stick upright in flat ground where the noon Sun is not blocked by trees, buildings, or other obstacles.
Measure the length of the stick's shadow on six different days. Record the date and shadow length. Bonus: look up and record the sunrise and sunset times for that same date.
| Observation | Date | Shadow Length | Bonus: Sunrise Time | Bonus: Sunset Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
| 6 |
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Part Three
Moon
Follow the Moon across the sky and begin noticing how its path, position, and changing face.
Moon Journey 1 · Page 23
The Moon's Nightly Path
Draw the path the Moon travels
Open Tracing the Sky
Start The Moon's Nightly Path journey
Use a computer to follow the Moon through the night.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start The Moon's Nightly Path.
- Move through the night and drop a marker every 5 minutes along the Moon's path.
Plot the Moon's positions you observed. Connect the points to show the path the Moon traveled, then record the moonrise and moonset times.
Moon's Path
horizon
Moonrise Time:
Moonset Time:
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Moon Journey 2 · Page 24
The Moon's Path
Record phases and count constellations
Open Tracing the Sky
Start The Moon's Path journey
Use a computer to follow the Moon through its phases and compare its position to the Sun.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Complete The Moon's Path journey.
Go back through the journey and record the date of each Moon phase. For each phase, find the constellation the Moon is in and the constellation the Sun is in. Starting at the Moon, count how many constellations you pass through to reach the Sun in two directions: first from the Moon's light side, then from the Moon's dark side.
New Moon
Waxing Crescent
First Quarter
Waxing Gibbous
Full Moon
Waning Gibbous
Last Quarter
Waning Crescent
| Date | Moon Phase | Constellations from Light Side to Sun | Constellations from Dark Side to Sun |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Moon | |||
| Waxing Crescent | |||
| First Quarter | |||
| Waxing Gibbous | |||
| Full Moon | |||
| Waning Gibbous | |||
| Last Quarter | |||
| Waning Crescent |
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Moon Journey 2 · Page 25
Reflection
What the Moon's light tells you
Look back at your constellation counts. What do you notice about which side of the Moon the Sun is closest to?
- Which side usually had fewer constellations between the Moon and the Sun: the light side or the dark side?
- What does that tell you about which side of the Moon is closer to the Sun?
- What do you think causes the Moon phases?
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Bring It Outside · Page 26
Bring It Outside
Moon illusion test
Bring It Outside
Moon illusion test
Observe the Moon once when it is low near the horizon, then again when it is higher in the sky. Use the same measuring tool at arm's length both times.
The Moon can look larger near trees, buildings, or the horizon. Test your eyes by measuring it with something simple like your pinky, a pencil eraser, a small coin, or a paper circle held at arm's length.
| Observation | Date | Time | How Big Did It Look? | Measured Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Moon | ||||
| High Moon |
- Did the Moon look bigger near the horizon?
- Did your measuring tool show that the Moon was actually bigger?
- What changed: the Moon itself, or how your brain compared it to the horizon?
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Part Four
Planets
Look for wandering lights: objects that shine like stars, but do not keep the same place among the constellations.
Planet Journey 1 · Page 27
The First Planet
Track a wanderer against Taurus
Open Tracing the Sky
Start The First Planet journey
Use a computer to search for the bright object that looks like a star but does not move like the stars.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start The First Planet.
- Find the object that looks like a star, but changes position against the stars of Taurus.
Draw Taurus first so the stars stay fixed on your page. Then add the planet positions in different colors. The planet's position should change; Taurus should stay the same.
Date:
Date:
Date:
Date:
Date:
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Planet Journey 2 · Page 28
The Red Wanderer
Measure Mars moving among the stars
Open Tracing the Sky
Start The Red Wanderer journey
Use a computer to follow Mars as it shifts against the background stars.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start The Red Wanderer.
- Use the same number of days between each Mars mark.
Choose several of the markers you placed for Mars that are the same number of days apart. Use the measuring tool to measure the distance between each pair of marks, then record what you find.
| Pair | First Point Date | Second Point Date | Days Between | Measured Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 |
Reflection
- Does Mars always move at the same speed?
- Where does Mars seem to speed up or slow down?
- What do you notice about the direction Mars moves through the stars?
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Planet Journey 3 · Page 29
Jupiter
Track Jupiter against Gemini
Open Tracing the Sky
Start Jupiter journey
Use a computer to follow Jupiter as it shifts against Gemini.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start Jupiter.
- Find Jupiter as it changes position against the stars of Gemini.
Draw Gemini first so the stars stay fixed on your page. Then add Jupiter's positions in different colors. Jupiter should wander; Gemini should stay the same.
Date:
Date:
Date:
Date:
Date:
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Planet Journey 4 · Page 30
Jupiter's Path
Measure Jupiter moving among the stars
Open Tracing the Sky
Start Jupiter's Path journey
Use a computer to follow Jupiter as it shifts against the background stars.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start Jupiter's Path.
- Move forward by the same number of days each time and place marks on Jupiter.
Choose several pairs of Jupiter markers that are the same number of days apart. Use the measuring tool to measure the distance between each pair of marks, then record what you find.
| Pair | First Point Date | Second Point Date | Days Between | Measured Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 |
Reflection
- Does Jupiter always move at the same speed?
- Where does Jupiter seem to speed up or slow down?
- What do you notice about the direction Jupiter moves through the stars?
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Planet Journey 5 · Page 31
Mercury
Track Mercury against Pisces
Open Tracing the Sky
Start Mercury journey
Use a computer to follow Mercury as it shifts against Pisces.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start Mercury.
- Find Mercury as it changes position against the stars of Pisces.
Draw Pisces first so the stars stay fixed on your page. Then add Mercury's positions in different colors. Mercury should wander; Pisces should stay the same.
Date:
Date:
Date:
Date:
Date:
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Planet Journey 6 · Page 32
Mercury's Path
Measure Mercury moving among the stars
Open Tracing the Sky
Start Mercury's Path journey
Use a computer to follow Mercury as it shifts against the background stars.
- Open app.tracingthesky.com on your computer.
- Start Mercury's Path.
- Move forward by the same number of days each time and place marks on Mercury.
Choose several pairs of Mercury markers that are the same number of days apart. Use the measuring tool to measure the distance between each pair of marks, then record what you find.
| Pair | First Point Date | Second Point Date | Days Between | Measured Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 |
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Planet Journey 6 · Page 33
Mercury's Path
Reflect on Mercury's changing motion
Reflection
- Does Mercury always move at the same speed?
- Where does Mercury seem to speed up or slow down?
- What do you notice about the direction Mercury moves through the stars?
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Bring It Outside · Page 34
Bring It Outside
Find visible planets in your real night sky
Bring It Outside
Visible planets tonight
Now that you know planets wander, go outside and use the planets tool to find which ones are visible in your sky tonight.
Use the tool to choose a visible planet. Draw the background constellation once so the stars stay fixed, then return on different dates to mark where the planet appears to move.
Find which planets are visible tonight. Open app.tracingthesky.com/planets, choose one planet you can see from your location, and track it against the stars over several dates.
Observation Location:
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Bring It Outside · Page 35
Visible Planets
Sketch the background stars and mark the planet
Constellation Sketch + Planet Marks
Draw the constellation first. Each time you observe again, use a different color to mark where the planet is and label that mark with the date.
Date:
Date:
Date:
Date:
Date:
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