We are scientists!

Can you find the constellation Orion?

If you see words in , you can click on them to go to an Internet game.

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We have been studying animals. Animals live in the air, on the land, and in the water. It is our job to help protect them.

Why is it important to help animals?

What are some problems animals face in the world?

One major, or very big, problem is called light pollution . This is artificial, or man made, light.

How could light pollution harm animals?

Learn more! Click me!

Artificial (manmade) light affects wildlife (animals). Here are some of the ways light pollution can hurt wildlife, that is, nature.

One way is hurting sea turtles. Sea turtles bury their eggs at night in one spot. They follow the moonlight to find their way back again and again. Manmade light confuses them.

Another way light pollution hurts animals is by changing the way animals hunt. Animals like owls hunt at night. Light pollution can make this hard.

Yet another way light pollution causes a problem is by making it hard for animals to give birth to offspring, which means babies.

Artificial light can cause many problems for wildlife.

How can light pollution hurt animals?

http://todaysfacilitymanager.com/facilityblog/wp-content/uploads/hk_pollution1.jpg

Scientists NEED your help fighting light pollution !

Will YOU help them?

Light Pollution Vocabulary

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magnitudelight pollution

constellation

latitude

longitude

sunartificial

Glare is too much background light. Can you see the stop sign or read the sign below it in this image?

Light trespass is light that spills into an area where it is unwanted.Would you be able to sleep in the forest with all of this light?

Sky glow is lots of light scattering off particles in the air, making it look like a glowing sky

Do you see any stars in this image?

http://www.visualpharm.com/wallpaper/earth_at_the_night_1280x1024.jpg

http://www.visualpharm.com/wallpaper/earth_at_the_night_1280x1024.jpg

Click to play the Light Pollution Game!

MagnitudeMagnitude Quiz

Magnitude Quiz

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A constellation is a group of stars that make a shape in people's imagination. This is the constellation Orion. He is a hunter from

Greeks Myths.

Myth of OrionOne might say that Orion was a great hunter who was banished to the sky for bragging on how many animals he could kill and the two bright stars which follow him represent his hunting dogs. Another says Orion fell in love with a goddess and was killed by an arrow when the goddess' brother was tricked into shooting him. Still another says he was killed by a sting from Scorpio, the Scorpion. No matter which tale you may care to listen to, the fact remains that cultures all over the world have recognized this constellation for centuries on end and all see Orion as a human figure. But why would they notice this constellation more than any other? Maybe it's the magic that's just below those three stars!

http://www.universetoday.com/2010/02/07/astronomy-for-kids-orion-the-star-hunter/

Click to fin

d Orion

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Find Orion in

the night sky.

Can you trace the constellation Orion?

Anarctica

SouthAmerica

Africa

Australia

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Let's place the latitude and longitude lines on the map. Also, click on "North America" to find Orion in the sky at the latitude where we live.

North America

http://www.itouchmap.com/latlong.html

Let's make our own universe with constellations!

First, get a piece of paper and something to write with. A pen, pencil, marker, or something else!

Next, close your eyes. Start making dots on your paper.

Now open your eyes. Look at all the stars you created in the universe. Pretty cool!

Then, use your imagination to create some constellations. Think about what shapes you see.

Last, create a story about your constellation. This is just like the story of the constellation Orion.

Magnitude Matching Game!

First, cut out the magnitude charts.

Next, cut out the labels.

Then turn over all the card. Mix up all the cards.

After that, organize the cards.

Finally, flip over two cards. Do they match? Keep them. If not, put them back in the pile! Now it is your partner's turn.