Graphing Constellations

Suggested Grades

3+

Objective

Students will practice their graphing skills by following specific coordinates to recreate constellations. This activity will strengthen students’ skills of visual perception, observation, and recording, and will give them a visual representation of a few constellations.

Materials

  • graph paper
  • photocopy of the following graphing coordinates:
    • Ursa Major: (M,37); (Q,34); (R,34); (U,33); (W,35); (Z,32); (X,30).
    • Ursa Minor: (R,17); (O,18); (N,20); (M,22); (K,22); (L,25); (N,25).
    • Draco: (B,33); (C,30); (E,32); (D,34); (B,24); (C,22); (F,24); (G,22); (G,28); (G,30); (I,31); (N,30); (R,27); (U,27).
    • Cepheus: (G,6); (E,10); (I,12); (J,8); (O,11).
    • Cassiopeia: (L,1); (K,4); (O,4); (S,5); (R,2).
  • drawing paper

Method

  • Hand out the coordinates to each student and have them transfer them onto graph paper.
  • Then have students transfer the constellations on the graphs to drawing paper.
  • Extension: Ask students to design their own constellations through graphing coordinates. Share the coordinates with classmates and have them draw the coordinates out.