The Sky is Moving!...Not!

Earth rotates on its axis one full turn per day. This motion is what makes day and night. The daily rotation also causes people on Earth to see changing star patterns as they look at the sky. Earth is moving, the sky is not.

Try It!

Materials:

• Umbrella (a dark color works best)
• Chair that spins
• White paper
• Tape
• Friend

Procedure:

1. Cut several different sizes of star shapes using the white paper.
2. Open the umbrella
3. Tape the stars to the inside of the umbrella.
4. Have your friend hold the umbrella high above your head while you sit in the chair.
5. Now rotate or spin the chair counterclockwise.
   • Notice how you are rotating, the stars above you are not.

Observe the night sky with a friend. Try to look at the same spot in the sky a couple of hours later than you looked the first time. Remember that Earth is rotating, not the sky.