Armillary sphere

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/armillary-sphere

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the key astronomical features represented?Celestial equator, ecliptic, celestial longitude and latitude, horizon, meridian
2. What is the symbolic significance?Represents astronomical knowledge, exploration (especially Portuguese Age of Exploration), and scientific progress
3. How does an armillary sphere help scientists and sailors?It lets people measure where stars are and helps sailors find their way across oceans.
4. Why is the armillary sphere on Portugal's flag?It shows Portugal's history of exploring the seas and discovering new places.

Celestial Sphere: An imaginary sphere of infinite radius concentric with Earth, onto which celestial bodies appear to be projected for mapping purposes.
Ecliptic: The great circle on the celestial sphere representing the apparent path of the Sun over the course of a year.
Geocentric Model: A cosmological model in which the Earth is assumed to be at the center of the universe.
Heliocentric Model: A cosmological model in which the Sun is assumed to be at the center of the solar system or universe.