Buanoy National High School

Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu

BUANOY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOOL
Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
April 11, 2024

MELC: Cite examples of astronomical phenomena known to astronomers before the advent
of telescopes (S11/12PS-Iva-40)

Worksheet 1: “ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENA KNOWN TO ASTRONOMERS”

Readings:
Without the help of telescopes, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn can be easily seen in the sky. These
planets can be easily confused with stars and are only seen at specific times of the day. The best time to look for these planets
would be before sunrise and after sunset. Even before the telescope's invention, different astronomical phenomena were
observed by ancient people. The sun and moon are the most observable objects in the sky. In systematically observing the
movement of the sun, the Babylonian and Egyptian civilizations used a primitive version of a sundial, called a gnomon. They
were able to observe that the sun rises in the eastern part of the sky, reaches its highest point at noon, and sets in the western
part of the sky by looking at the shadows which the gnomon casts. They also recorded that the points where the sun rises and
sets on the horizon vary over a year, and periodically these variations occur. They noted that these variations are weather-related
and thus concluded that seasonal climate changes occur over a period of one year.
Phases of the Moon
Ancient people observed that within a period of 29.5 days, the moon changes its path and its appearance. They noted
that the appearance of the moon varies from a thin semi-circular disk to a full circular disk. The foundations of ancient calendars
are these phases of the moon.
Lunar Eclipse
In addition to their observation of the various phases of the moon, they also noticed that there are times when, for a short
moment, the moon or part of it seemed to be covered by a shadow. If the Earth casts its shadow on the moon when the Earth is
between the Sun and the Moon, a lunar eclipse occurs. A phenomenon like this is referred to as a lunar eclipse in which the moon
transforms into a dark or red blood color.
Solar Eclipse
In addition to the lunar eclipse, the occurrence of a solar eclipse was also observed. When the Moon is between the Sun
and the Earth, the solar eclipse occurs and the moon partially or entirely blocks out the sun.
Motion of the Stars
It was also noted that the stars seem to be attached in one day to a celestial sphere that rotates around an axis. At a
point in the northern sky, this axis intersects the celestial sphere and is presently close to the northern star, Polaris. Also, the
positions of the constellations in the night sky vary according to the time of the year.
Visibility of the Planets
Astronomers have found the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn because they have noticed that
the stars (like how constellations are always grouped) are in a fixed position with respect to each other. But there are very bright
stars which periodically change positions. Any group of constellations in the sky does not belong to these "stars." In Greek terms,
they are thus called "wanderers" or planets.

Exercise (Graphic Organizer)

Directions: Make a graphic organizer which shows the astronomical phenomena known to astronomers before the advent of
telescopes. Output will be written in a short bond paper. Be guided by the scoring rubric on how your output will be rated.
CRITERIA 5 4 3 2

Organization Extremely well organized. Organized. Somewhat organized Poorly organized.

Order and structure of Structure allows reader structure allows reader to A clear sense of direction is not
information is to move move evident. Flow is frequently
compelling and flow through content without through some of interrupted.
smoothly. confusion. Flows the content without
smoothly. confusion. Flow is sometimes
interrupted.
Content Thorough and insightful Complete understanding Shows some understanding of Shows incomplete
understanding of content of content content. understanding of material

Ideas Insightful and well Ideas are considered; Ideas are somewhat on Ideas are unclear few
considered more than one thoughtful topic; makes some connections
ideas making multiple connection is made connections
connections