Stars
Overview
Explore the vastness of the universe as you discover just how large God’s creation is! Be able to distinguish stars from planets, identify them in the night sky and learn about asteroids and comets.
Investiture Achievement Connection: This Honor is related to the Investiture Achievement requirements for EXPLORER Nature Study which require completing Requirement 9 and 12 of this Honor. Therefore this Honor is a popular choice for the Skill Level 2 or 3 Nature Honor required for WILDERNESS EXPLORER.
Requirements
1. Answer the following questions:
- a. What is the earth’s nearest celestial neighbor?
- b. What is its distance from the earth?
- c. What governs the tide?
- d. What causes an eclipse?
- e. What is a shooting star?
- f. How fast does light travel?
2. Make a diagram showing relative positions and movements of the earth, sun, and moon. Show positions and movements for eclipses of the sun and moon.
3. Make a diagram of our solar system and be able to name the planets in order from the sun.
4. Identify in the sky eight fixed stars. What is the difference between planets and fixed stars?
5. What is a constellation? Name and point out six. Name two constellations visible throughout the year.
6. For the Northern Hemisphere: draw a chart of the Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, and the North Star. For the Southern Hemisphere: draw a chart of the Southern Cross, Orion and Scorpio.
7. What is the Milky Way? Observe the Milky Way in the night sky.
8. What is the morning star and evening star? Why does it carry both names?
9. Explain zenith and nadir.
10. What is the aurora borealis? What causes it?
1. Answer the following questions:
- a. What is the earth’s nearest celestial neighbor? What is its distance from the earth?
- b. What governs the tides?
- c. What causes an eclipse?
- d. What is a shooting star?
2. Make a diagram showing relative positions and movements of the earth, sun, and moon. Show positions and area events for eclipses of the sun and moon. One may demonstrate by using an orange, walnut, and marble, or similar objects, to show positions and movements of the earth, sun, and moon when there is an eclipse of the sun and when there is an eclipse of the moon.
3. Make a diagram of our solar system and be able to name the planets in order from the sun.
4. How fast does light travel? How far does light travel in a year?
5. What is the difference between planets and fixed stars? Identify in the sky eight fixed stars.
6. What is a constellation? Name and point out six. Name two constellations visible throughout the year.
7. For the Northern Hemisphere: draw a chart of the Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, and the North Star. For the Southern Hemisphere: draw a chart of the Southern Cross, Orion and Scorpio.
8. What is the Milky Way? Observe the Milky Way in the night sky.
9. What is the morning star and evening star? Why does it carry both names? Observe the morning and evening star in the sky.
10. Explain zenith and nadir.
11. What is the aurora borealis? What causes it?
12. Discuss the statement made by Ellen G. White in Early Writings, page 41, concerning the opening in Orion.
1. Answer the following questions:
- a. Of what is the solar system composed?
- b. What is the earth’s nearest celestial neighbour?
- c. What is the distance?
2.
- a. Draw a diagram showing relative positions and movements of the earth and moon in relation to the sun.
- b. What governs the tide?
- c. What causes an eclipse?
- d. What is a shooting star?
- e. What is a comet?
3. How fast does light travel?
4.
- a. Name and identify eight stars.
- b. What is the difference between planets and fixed stars?
5.
- a. What is a constellation?
- b. Name and identify six.
- c. What two constellations are visible throughout the year?
6. Draw a chart of the Southern Cross, Triangulum and the pointers at intervals of three hours throughout the night.
7. Observe a sunrise and a sunset, and describe each.
8.
- a. What is the Milky Way?
- b. Give its course through the heavens.
9.
- a. What is the morning and evening star?
- b. Why does it carry both names?
10. Name the planets in order of their nearness to the sun.
11.
- a. What is the Aurora?
- b. What name is given to the Northern Lights?
12.
- a. Where does the Bible refer to Orion?
- b. Learn one reference by memory.
- c. Read the statement made in Early Writings page 41, concerning Orion and tell what event it is connected with.
1. What are the technical means of observation and how are they used?
2. What are focal length, diameter, magnification, F/D ratio?
3. Name the different planets in the solar system in order of distance from the sun, and how far are they from the sun?
4. What do we mean by :
- Milky Way
- celestial pole
- celestial equator
- celestial horizon
- zenith
- nadir
- perigee
- aphelion
- declination
- conjunction
- ecliptic
- black hole
5. Know the celerity (speed) of light.
6. Recognize 15 constellations in the sky, including 5 visible in summer, 5 in winter and 5 all year round.
7. What are the morning and evening stars? When are they visible?
8. Where in the Bible do we find Orion, the Pleiades, the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper?
9. When is Orion at its brightest? Name Orion’s brightest stars.
10. What is the magnitude of a star?
11. What is the astronomical unit?
12. What is solar wind and its consequences?
Answer key & resources
- Answer Key (General Conference)
- Answer Key (North American Division)
- Answer Key (South Pacific Division)
- Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, and the North Star
- Comet
- Constellation
- Constellations visible all night
- Daily motion
- Equinox
- Fixed star
- Meteor
- Nearest neighbor
- Nebula
- Planet
- Planet characteristics
- Planets
- Prism
- Satellite
- Southern Cross, Orion and Scorpio
- Sunspot
- Telescope
- Terms
- Zodiac
Master awards
This honor counts toward:
Investiture Achievement
This honor is required, suggested or listed as an option in:
See also
- Space ExplorationHonor
- Stars - AdvancedHonor
- Planetary ScienceHonor
Adapted from AY Honors/Stars on the Pathfinder Wiki, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. See the original page's history for its authors.
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