Constellations and the Night Sky: Free KS2 Worksheet

What is a constellation?

A constellation is a group of stars that, seen from Earth, appear to form a recognisable shape or pattern. The stars within a constellation are usually not close together in space at all; many are vast distances apart and only line up by chance from our particular viewpoint. Cultures across the world have grouped the same stars into different pictures and stories, which is why a single pattern can have several names. The seven bright stars known in Britain as the Plough are called the Big Dipper in the United States and form part of a larger constellation, Ursa Major (the Great Bear). For children, the key idea is that we are spotting patterns in points of light, not real connected objects in the sky.

The Plough and Orion: two patterns to look for

Two patterns are especially useful for beginners in the UK. The Plough is a group of seven stars shaped a little like a saucepan or plough; it sits high in the northern sky and can be seen all year round from Britain. The two stars at the end of its 'bowl' point towards Polaris, the North Star, which is handy for finding direction. Orion (the Hunter) is best seen on winter evenings and is easy to recognise thanks to the three bright stars in a short, straight line that make up 'Orion's Belt'. Encouraging children to find these two patterns first gives them an anchor point from which to explore the rest of the sky.

Why a dark sky matters

Stars are easiest to see away from artificial light. Streetlights, car headlights and lit windows create light pollution, a glow that washes out fainter stars and makes patterns harder to pick out. The best stargazing happens on a clear, moonless night somewhere dark, such as a garden away from lamps, a park, or the countryside. It also helps to let your eyes adjust to the dark for around twenty minutes and to avoid looking at bright phone screens. This is a good opportunity to talk with children about how our towns and cities have changed what we can see in the sky.

How to use this worksheet

This sheet is enrichment rather than a statutory requirement, so there is no single 'right' way to use it. Children can colour the night-sky scene, then carefully join the dots to reveal the saucepan shape of the Plough and the three-in-a-row of Orion's Belt. The short questions can be answered from the discussion above or used to prompt a conversation. For the richest experience, follow it up by stepping outside on a clear night to compare the printed patterns with the real sky, perhaps using a free stargazing app to confirm what you have found.

Frequently asked questions