Star Search

                                                                        by

                                     Amanda Calhoun

                                     Katie Lavender

                                               &

                                     Allison Singletary

Hello! I'm Sally the Sun. When you see me, this is usually what you see. A big yellow ball up in the blue sky surrounded by clouds. I actually live very far away in the Milky Way Galaxy. What many of you may not know is that I am actually a star. Yep! I am a yellow dwarf star. I am surrounded by billions of other stars of all different types.

Why don't you guys come a little closer and I'll introduce you to my best friend? His name is Bart. He is a blue star. You guys are just going to love him! 

What are you waiting for? Come on out to space!

That's better! Isn't it so gorgeous up here? 

Anyway, like I was saying, you're just going to love Bart! He's hilarious. I have to warn you though. You might want to stand back from him a little bit. 

Everyone thinks that I'm the hottest of the stars, but Bart is actually one of the hottest. Remember when I said he's a blue star? Well, blue stars are the hottest of all the different stars.

Now, let's see if we can find Bart. I usually just call his name and he comes floating over. Can you help me call for him? On the count of three. 1...2...3...Bart!!!

Hmmm....That's strange. He usually comes right away. Let's try one more time. Just like last time. On the count of three. 1...2...3...Bart!!!

Oh no! I'm really worried that something has happened to him. Will you help me search for my best friend Bart?

I'm not sure where to begin! Should we go left or right? Up or down? 

Do you have any suggestions?

It looks like someone is coming towards us. Could it be Bart?

No, I don't think so. It looks like they are colored red. 

Do you have any idea what they might be?

Hi! I'm Rosie the Red Star! I saw you as I was floating up. You look sad. Are you okay?

Oh, hi Rosie! Nice to meet you. I'm Sally the Sun. I'm very worried. My best friend is missing. His name is Bart. He is a blue star. You wouldn't have seen him anywhere by chance would you?

Oh, a blue star! He burns very bright. I would have noticed him! I will be more than happy to help you look for him!

Thank you so much, Rosie! That is so nice of you! Let's go!

So Rosie, tell me about yourself while we look for Bart. I haven't met many red stars. 

I'm surprised we haven't crossed paths before now. I've been around for a long time. That's what gives me my color. Because I'm older, I've started burning off most of my helium and my temperature has cooled down a lot. I've changed from yellow to orange and now to red. 

You were yellow once, like me?

Yes, I was. One day, billions of years from now, you will become a red star like me! 

I didn't know that! How fascinating! I think I see another star coming. Do you think it could be my friend Bart?

Hi! I'm Rosie and this is Sally. What is your name?

Nice to meet ya! I'm Wally. What brings you ladies out this way?

Well Wally, my best friend Bart is missing, and I'm afraid something bad has happened to him. Have you seen him by chance? 

What's this Bart fella look like?

Oh! He's a blue star. He is one of the hottest burning stars in the sky. He's really funny too. He tells great jokes. 

Seems like I saw a star that fits that description pass this way not that long ago. He went this way. Follow me ladies. I'll tell you a bit about myself as we go. 

So, Wally, there's not many stars like you in space. Why is that?

Well Sally, once stars have burned off their hydrogen fuel, like me, we don't have any energy to give off anymore. I burned very hot once, so because of that I still shine a white color. I was once a red star like you are now, Rosie.

You were a red star, like me?

I was, but that was a long, long, loooong time ago.

We should be getting closer to where I saw your buddy, Sally. It's a little bit darker out this way but you'll brighten the place right up.

Why don't we start calling for him Sally? I still don't see him yet. 

 Okay everyone. Just like we did before. On the count of three... 1...2...3...Bart!!!

One more time. 1...2...3...BBBAAARRRTTT!!!

That's my name, don't wear it out! Geez, people from Pluto could hear you yelling!

Bart! It really is you! I've been so worried about you! What are you doing way out here?

Oh, hey Sally! Sorry for just taking off. I got a call from an old friend that said they really needed my help. I left you a message on a comet that was passing by. I guess you didn't get it. 

No, I didn't get that message. You know how unreliable comets can be sometimes. 

When  trying to find you blue star, I met some new friends. This is Rosie the Red Star and Wally the White Star. I never would have found you without their help!

It's so nice to meet you, Bart!

We've heard so much about you!

You ready to go Bart?

Yeah, about that. I'm not leaving. This is my new home.

I told you in the message but I guess you never got it! I was hoping you would come visit soon, but I had to get here before nightfall because so many people look for the constellations in the night sky. They had a guy just up and quit and needed a replacement before nightfall. I have to stay. I'm part of a constellation now!

What is a constellation, Bart? Why do you have to stay in it?

Well Sally, A constellation is a group of visible stars that make a pattern or shape. People on Earth can see and study constellations.  

Wow Bart! You get to make a picture!

Yes Sally! I can't leave because without me the constellation would not be complete. 

What shape does your constellation make?

Well Sally, my constellation makes up a shape called a rectangle. A rectangle has four sides. 

What does a rectangle look like Bart? 

Constellations create shapes such as a rectangle, triangle, square, and pentagon. 

The stars in the constellation can be connected to create the perfect shape. 

My constellation is a rectangle. It is like a square, but it is longer. We have four sides in our constellation. My job is located at the bottom corner. This is what my shape looks like!

Other shapes that a constellation can make up are: triangles, squares, and pentagon. Some of our star friends are a part of a constellation too!

This constellation is a Pentagon. It has five sides.

This constellation is a triangle. It has three sides.

This constellation is a square. It has four equal sides.

That sounds like a very important job! Without you there wouldn't be a constellation. I understand now that you can't just leave. 

Thank you for understanding Sally. You are always welcome to come back and visit!

Glossary

Blue Stars - the hottest off all the different types of stars.
Constellation - a group of visible stars that form a visible pattern from Earth. Constellations can look like an animal, person, or mythical creature.
Galaxy - a huge collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar systems that are held together by gravity.
Red Stars - the coolest of all the different types of stars. 

Stars - giant spheres of super hot gas made up mostly of hydrogen and helium.

Sun - yellow dwarf star. Gives off energy and light. The Sun is the center of our solar system.

White Star - a compact star. Red stars become white stars once they lose most of their gases.

Make your Own Constellation Activity

Materials Needed: Marshmallows, Toothpicks, Pictures of different constellations

What to do: 

Choose which constellation that you would like to create

Use your toothpicks and marshmallows to make your constellation creation. Be as creative as you would like. You can even create your own constellation!

What shapes did you use to make your constellation?