Students participate in activities in which they find the Big Dipper and locate the North Star in the night sky, examine the relationship between the angle to Polaris and latitude, and determine latitude by using an astrolabe.

In this astrolabe worksheet, learners use a compass rose and an astrolabe to measure altitude and azimuth of five objects in the room and 5 objects outside the room. They answer questions about these two types of measurements.

Students, who are teachers, make an astrolabe using the given pattern. They examine the uses of an astrolabe and apply the worksheets in their classrooms.

For this astrolabe worksheet, students answer questions about the astrolabe's use. They write five ways they can improve their astrolabe.

Extensive background on marine navigation is provided for you as the teacher. Assign groups to research marine navigation techniques and construct astrolabes. Resource links are listed for extension ideas. If you are teaching an...

Where in the world are we? As a reading comprehension exercise, kids read a short passage about navigation using latitude and longitude, and then respond to a series of questions based on the article.

Students study how to use an astrolabe, define terms and understand the relationship between angle and altitude.  In this astrolabe instructional activity students complete an activity, record their measurements and complete a...

Students find locations based upon their latitude and longitude coordinates. In this latitude and longitude lesson, students locate points on a grid and learn how to use an astrolabe.

Ninth graders investigate how ancient cultures viewed their world in terms of astronomy. They read and discuss an informational handout, construct an astrolabe, and locate stars and constellations using star charts.

Students create an astrolabe and locate the North Star in the night sky. They determine the latitude of the North Star, and calculate an average latitude based on class results.

Fourth graders are introduced to the voyages of Christopher Columbus to the New World. In groups, they use the Internet to complete a WebQuest on what conditions were like on the ships. They write journal entries and complete a worksheet...

Students measure the height of items using an astrolabe.  In this latitude lesson students construct a sextant and determine height and latitude with it. 

Sudents examine the types of instruments that can be used for marine navigation and position-finding. They practice using an astrolabe to solve trigonometric problems.

In this altitude instructional activity, students define compass, azimuth, astrolabe, and altitude. Students use a protractor to determine the altitude of the given stars on a graph. This instructional activity has 7 short answer...

Eighth graders define constellations and how they are used as reference points and identify stars and constellations in the nighttime sky. They construct their own planetarium star finder and identify the location of circumpolar, zodiac,...

Young scholars study how the sun is at the center of the solar system.  For this solar lesson students measure the altitude of the sun and its size.

Students examine the theory of finding latitude and discuss the uses of an astrolabe, cross-staff and octant. They determine an Astronomical Table for their classroom.

Students examine a medieval manuscript on astronomy and create their own books based on modern discoveries in astronomy. In this astronomy instructional activity, students compare astronomy knowledge in the middle ages to today and...

Young scholars examine a medieval manuscript on astronomy and create their own books based on modern discoveries in astronomy. They choose a subject of modern astronomy that they would like to write and create an illuminated image about.

A summary of Hipparchus' achievements as an astronomical observer, concentrating on the possibility that he invented the astrolabe, a device used to tell the time at night from stellar positions. Contains more links on Hipparchus.

Create your own astrolabe after reading to find out what one is. Measure heights of objects around you using the astrolabe.

Students observe and measure the shadows of fixed objects throughout the school year to learn about how the seasonal change affects the sun's position in the sky.

Through this activity, young scholars will understand how to determine latitude and locate specific stars in the night sky. They will also have a chance to build and use an astrolabe.

A page on the Mariner's Astrolabe describes its origins and how it is used. A photo also accompanies the article.