Page 4 - Kindergarten.indd

VERIFIED OBSERVATION ACTIVITY - RESPONSE FORM

MEASURING DISTANCES OF STARS -SC.5.E.5.1

Student Name: _____________________________________ Date: _____________

TITLE MEASURING DISTANCES OF STARS

PURPOSE To construct a device to measure the altitude of the Sun.

 one – protractor
 one – piece of dark yarn (30 cm long)
 one – small metal washer
MATERIALS
 one – plastic straw
 one – pair of scissors
 one – roll of masking tape
 one – hole puncher

To Construct the Astrolabe:

Step 1: Cut the straw to match the length of the side of the protractor.

Step 2: Tape the straw onto only the flat edge of the protractor.

Step 3: Pull one end of the yarn through the front of the hole of the protractor and tie

it securely.
PROCEDURES
Step 4: Tie the opposite side of the yarn to a washer.

Taking Measurements with the Astrolabe:

Step 1: To measure the altitude of the top of your school’s building, look through the
straw. Another student should look at the side of the astrolabe (protractor) to
read the angle the string lines up with on the protractor. Record your
observations. Repeat for measuring the altitude of a tree.

Step 2: Next, measure the altitude of the Sun. Point the straw at the Sun, but
do not look through the straw directly at the Sun. Look first for the shadow of
the straw on your hand and continue to lower it until a small round light forms
on your hand.

Step 3: Another student should look at the side of the astrolabe to read the angle the
string lines up with the protractor. Record your observations.

Note: As a home learning assignment, you will measure the altitude of stars in the
night sky. First, look for the North star. Look through the straw and have someone else
read the side of the astrolabe to read at what degree of angle the string is laying.
Repeat this process and record your observations for the next three nights.

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