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Performance Task

Star Struck

  • Explore
  • Did You Know?

Although the stars in constellations are different distances from Earth, they appear near each other when seen by an observer looking at the night sky.

Reach For The Stars

Reach For The Stars

Choose one of the constellations shown on the Explore tab. Identify any polygons in the drawing and find the sum(s) of the measures of the interior angle measures. Then research the constellation and determine when it was discovered, who discovered it, and the name of its brightest star.

Which of the drawings of the constellations on the Explore tab appear to contain a parallelogram? a kite? Use theorems in this chapter to explain whether each is actually a parallelogram or a kite.


Telescope shown under a blue-black, starry sky.

Did You Know?

  • Of the 88 different constellations recognized today, 48 of them were recognized by the ancient Greek astronomer Ptolemy.
  • In ancient times, people used constellations to know when to plant and harvest crops.
  • Constellations have played a very important role in maritime history. Long before we had GPS units and satellites, sailors used the stars in the sky to navigate when they were out of sight of land.
  • Not all the constellations are visible from any one point on Earth. The constellations divide up the entire night sky as seen from all around Earth.

Find Out More – Search Topics

  • Constellations
  • Astronomy