Stars in the sky

Stars in the Sky for Class 2 Science

The area we see above the Earth where stars, sun, and moon can be seen is called the sky.
At night, various stars in the sky make a constellation. These constellations are named based on their shapes which make them unique. The following concept will introduce the learners to the changes visible in the sky at various times of the day.

After reading the concept, students will be able to:

• State the meaning of the terms dawn, noon and dusk.
• Define constellation.
• Identify Saptarishi constellation and pegasus constellation.

Each concept is explained to class 2 students using examples, illustrations, and concept maps. After you go through a concept, assess your learning by solving the two printable worksheets given at the end of the page.
Download the worksheets and check your answers with the worksheet solutions for the concept Stars in the Sky provided in PDF format.

• We see the sky when we look up above the land.
• The sky appears blue on a clear day. It looks different during different weather.
• At night, we see many bright and shining heavenly bodies in the sky. These are called celestial bodies.
• Stars are a type of celestial body. They have their own light and hence shine bright in the night sky.

The Appearance of the Sky:

1) Sky During Dawn:

• During dawn, the sky appears reddish-orange and gradually changes to yellowish colour.

2)Sky During the Day:

• During the day, the sky appears blue due to the scattering of sunlight.
• We also see white-coloured clouds floating in the sky.

3)Sky During Noon:

• At noon, the sun remains above our heads.
• During noon the sky appears white. As the sun remains overhead, minimal light gets scattered, so the sky looks white.

4)Sky During Dusk:

• During dusk, the sun sets in the west. The sun looks like a red ball and appears on the horizon.
• After the Sun sets, no more sunlight gets scattered, which is why the sky appears dark in colour and gradually turns black.

Stars:

• The stars are giant balls of fiery gases. But they are situated far away and so appear like small twinkling objects.
• So, they shine brightly in the night sky.
• A group of stars is called a constellation, like Orion and Saptarishi.

New Words:

 

Did You Know?

• By early August, we can see the planets like Jupiter and Mercury in the evening sky with a telescope.
• The sky becomes glowing and purple before dusk and after the sunset, which is called twilight.
• Stars have different colours like red, blue, orange or yellow.