(Note: The following activity is to be performed by students individually in a sheltered space so that they can observe a fixed point overhead.)

The stars are all over around the Earth and appear to move from east to west on paths parallel to each other. However, there is a star right in the direction of the Earth’s axis. Does it appear to move?

Procedure:

1. Stand and hold one hand straight up and point towards a fixed overhead point (for example, a light bulb or a ceiling fan).
2. Imagine that you are the Earth and rotate in an anticlockwise direction. Keep looking at the overhead point while you are rotating.
3. Stop after you complete a couple of rotations. Did the point / object, which was exactly overhead, appear to move?
4. The star right above the North Pole does not appear to move, which is why it is called the Pole Star!