Tell me about the journey of Voyager 1 by creating a timeline of what you think are the highlights. Also tell me your ideas about broadcasting our location to the Universe (see the Golden Record for more details) This should be a hand-drawn poster using the colored paper from by the print shop. Work with one partner.
Points:
Timeline 10 points
Quality of information 10 points
Visual appeal: 5 points
Resource list: 5 points (on back of poster)
You must answer at least two questions from each unit, and a total of 14 questions. You may type if you wish, but this assignment is due tomorrow as a paper handout. Work must be in your own words or labeled pictures. If you are caught plagiarizing verbatim from a source, you will receive a ZERO. .
UNIT 1
1. Comment on the evolution of astrology to astronomy over the past 2000 years, using evidence from at least three astronomers.
2. Explain the significance of the Zodiac, the 88 accepted constellations, and the polar stars to helping us in understanding of Earth's place in the universe 3. What is the connection between the Ecliptic , the sun, and the seasons?
UNIT 2
4. Why are the phases of the moon a type of time clock? Give three examples of how this could benefit you in the wilderness if the moon wasn't new and wasn't full.
5. Why bother to study other planets magnetic fields, composition, and atmosphere in our solar system and beyond?
6. How does our Sun function and create energy for us to live? What ramifications does that have for Earth and for the development of elements?
UNIT 3
7. Why is Galileo's telescope and discoveries using it (the moon, the sun, and the moons of Jupiter) such a turning point for science, and what did he find with each discovery?
8. What have large space telescopes (Chandra, Spitzer, Hubble, SOHO, GOES) told us, and what should be done about such telescopes in the future?
9. What is the role of ground-based telescopes like SDSS and VLAO in the study of space?
UNIT 4
10. Tell me about galaxies, various types, and how Cobe microwave signatures helped us to understand them OR tell me the significance of Hubble Deep Space and why it took so long.
11. What is the role of mass in the life cycles of stars and how does that connect to the HR diagram? Contrast at least two stars in your answer as evidence.
12. How did we use 21-cm radio hydgrogen signals to help determine the shape of our galaxy?
UNIT 5
13. How does the concept of spectral lines and red-shifting affectour understanding of planets, galaxies, and the universe as a whole? Edwin Hubble must be included in your answer.
14. What is the likelihood of discovering alien life, based on our research towards finding new planets, our understanding of the Drake equation, and the interstellar missions we have undertaken?
15. Think of the contributions of Einstein: E=mc^2, general relativity, special relativity, and the photoelectric effect, and suggest ways each has affect the study of astronomy.
UNIT 6
16. Space is honking big. So is the ability of human beings to understand it. What critical thinking skills have you gained in this class to help you move forward in your future studies? List three pieces of evidence to support this idea.
17. Throughout this class, we have experienced the concept of science as a human endeavor, where fallible people do their best to help advance the cause of science, often with surprising benefits. Skeptics still remain, and a manufactured conflict between some factions in religion and science remains. What can you do about that as you move into your life as a literate science citizen? 18. Explain your understanding of the Big Bang, gravity waves, the microwave signature found by Wilson and Penzias, and why we live around a second or third generation star, based on the evidence we have studied.
Today, you will turn those turntables into a galaxy of choice. It must include the following
a black hole
a dust cloud/nebula
stars that include the O B A F G K M L classification
a Cepheid variable
a globular cluster
a solar system
some dark matter
halo stars
gravitational lens
Along with this you will need to include a series of two post-it note explanations for each component of the galaxy. Post its are on the table. The first note should an explanation of the component, and the second note should provide some idea of why I should be interested in the piece at all?
There are sooooooooooo many links out there to research these pieces that I've only provided a few. Consider the source---in this case, Wikipedia does very little to inspire interest, even though it does tell you something about the pieces
Understanding 21-cm Lines Now that you have your turntable, let's stop and think.
You are in a car on a snowy night. The heater and radio are running as you put it in gear and pull out of the parking lot. You travel down the street and turn to head home. Suddenly, a gust of violent wind makes a temporary whiteout, and you have to cope. Suddenly, your cell phone rings.
What wavelengths of light are affecting you at this moment?
Go to the Hubble Galaxy Hunt activity. Take the time you need to explore, but when you are done, I need you to write a 3-4 paragraph reflection on your impressions, including data, statistics, and size factors.
You must find out about each of these: 1. What is HDF-N? 2. What is Deep? 3. Stare and Compare 4. Sample Size
We'll be looking a series of 6 links during the first part of class. On each one, you need to read and click on the links provided: Summarize using the white boards. You have until 1:55.
Each of these tutorials focuses on a specific concept. When you get done, you should be able to explain *the twin paradox *simultaneity *length dilation *time dilation *special relativity
1. You want to put together a space telescope. To start with, you decide you need to check out the metal surface of your CCD. What surface(s) could you use to detect the following types of light at 100% intensity (make a table as shown below)?
Surface Metal x-rays purple blue green yellow orange red sodium zinc platinum copper calcium
2. Now, decide which metal you will use for the primary CCD telescope. Now, check the wavelength range at various intensities (10%, 20%, 40%, 80%, 100%) using the table below? How effective will this telescope be for bright objects? Dim objects?
Intensity 10% 20% 40% 80% 100%
Wavelength range
3. Take a look at the values of current for a 75% intensity light on a platinum surfaceand write the current into the table below..
Wavelength vs. Current
100nm 200nm 300nm 400nm 500nm 600nm 700nm
What does the data in #3 tell you about the effectiveness of a CCD for ALL wavelengths of lights? How would an alloy try to deal with this value?
4. If you were to construct a space telescope, would you have more than one telescope available on a platform? Explain your reasoning.
Turn in this sheet INDIVIDUALLY at the end of the hour.9
Go to http://www.galaxyzoo.org/ and start looking at the galaxies. As you go through each galaxy, draw it's basic shape. Follow the prompts, but don't limiti your observations to the questions being asked. Take about 5 minutes. When you get done, and have seen at least 15 galaxies, and have 10 or more observations, try to define a galaxy in your own words. Conside what you have seen,
Now, go back to GalaxyZoo and go through the tutorial. As you do this, write down another 10 observations. Partner with some one else and compare your observations. One good way to do this is a t-chart, or Venn diagram. This can tell us what a galaxy is and what a galaxy isn't. Share at least two questions you still have below your diagram for when your class is discussing your findings.
Compare your classification system to those of others. How are they similar? Different? Why do people pick one system for classifying over another? Can you think of classifying systems in some of these categories:
* Biology * Sports * Medicine * English * Other…
Share examples of classification in the world. What makes one system ‘right?’
Misconceptions In Action Edwin Hubble's misconceptions were reflected in his ideas about the evolution of galaxies and the diagram you see at the top of this lesson. Read the article (but don't do the Exercise) before posting to the forum on galaxy selections and explain what you think is happening.
Our Own Misconceptions
Take the time to create your own pictures of the Milky Way from a top view and a side view using the data found in The Galaxy Song by Eric Idle. Your teacher may play the accompanying song:
Just remember that you're standing on a planet that's evolving And revolving at nine hundred miles an hour, That's orbiting at nineteen miles a second, so it's reckoned, A sun that is the source of all our power. The sun and you and me and all the stars that we can see Are moving at a million miles a day In an outer spiral arm, at forty thousand miles an hour, Of the galaxy we call the 'Milky Way'. Our galaxy itself contains a hundred billion stars. It's a hundred thousand light years side to side. It bulges in the middle, sixteen thousand light years thick, But out by us, it's just three thousand light years wide. We're thirty thousand light years from galactic central point. We go 'round every two hundred million years, And our galaxy is only one of millions of billions In this amazing and expanding universe.
The universe itself keeps on expanding and expanding In all of the directions it can whizz As fast as it can go, at the speed of light, you know, Twelve million miles a minute, and that's the fastest speed there is. So remember, when you're feeling very small and insecure, How amazingly unlikely is your birth, And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space, 'Cause there's bugger all down here on Earth.
Compare your picture to known data of the Milky Way, and to an analysis of the song. Why are galaxies difficult to visualize?
Questions to Consider *what is the life cycle of our star? *what is the HR diagram? *what are characteristics of each of the stellar stages? *how do gravity and pressure affect one another through the life cycle of a star? How does the balance change through each stage? * What is the main sequence? * How does the brightness of our star change over its lifetime? * How does the temperature of our star change over its lifetime?
Day 1: last 30 minutes
Work through the sections on the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. Then complete the following questions related to the background information.
Go To the following document. Please complete Questions 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 11-13 on a sheet of paper and hand indivually.
a) a star moves towards the earth b) a star moves away from the earth c) the star and the earth are both moving towards one another d) the star and the earth are both away from one another
Starlight 1. Contrast Emission and Absorption Spectra 2. What element do all stars contain? 3. Why do we talk about 'stellar fingerprints'?
Star Collection 1. What did you notice about using the telescope regarding speed, ability to slew, ability to get a signal-noise ratio that was 100 or more, and the fine vs. gross adjustments? 2. Why is RA/DEC important, and what is UTC? 3. How is technology helpful and difficult as we look at the world of starlight?
Star Analysis 1. The stellar classification system we use today was developed by Annie Cannon was actually based on her work sorting thousands and thousands of spectra into categories, which then became the stellar atlas. What do the classification OBAFGKML letters tell us about temperature or brightness of a star?
Part 1: We watched minutes 10-20 of the Secrets of the Sun NOVA program.
We defined helioseimology, looked at the spaceweather.com site, and looked at the SOHO observatory.
Part 2:
Your task is to go through the links found at the top of this lab to start with and summarize. You need to go through each of the 3 topics and take notes.
There are tons of different telescopes out there, and all of them have different stated purposes. Our goal is to summarize each one of the different eras shown below in blue in about 2-6 sentences. Luckily for us, one website talks about all the types of telescopes. You may not get done with all the exploration, but you should be at least 1/2 done by Tuesday.
Era stories: Story 1 Galileo's Refractor: Galileo's telescope revealed the first hint of the depths of space. His dedication and approach to explaining what he saw revolutionized astronomy. (Includes one telescope story, one biography.) Early Refractors: Telescopes with flatter lenses brought wider and clearer views of the sky but required longer tubes. Some refractors were so long that they became difficult to maneuver. (Includes two telescope stories.)
Great Refractors: New technology allowed astronomers to create larger lenses that produced bright, clear images. For a while, refracting telescopes became more popular than reflecting telescopes. (Includes three telescope stories, one biography.)
Story 2 Newton's Telescope: Sir Isaac Newton replaced the main lens of a telescope with a mirror, creating the reflecting telescope. (Includes one telescope story.)
Early Reflectors: Early reflecting telescopes used metal mirrors to look deep into space, but the new design presented new challenges. (Includes four telescope stories, one biography.)
Hugh Reflectors: Astronomers crafted telescope mirrors from glass instead of metal, making reflecting telescopes more powerful and easier to use. They began relying on photography and instruments to record observations. (Includes three telescope stories, two biographies.)
Story 3 Solar Telescopes: Solar telescopes are reflecting telescopes that use special instruments to observe the Sun. (Includes one telescope story, one biography.)
Radio Telescopes: The discovery of radio waves from space launched a new branch of study: radio astronomy. This spurred astronomers to develop new techniques to accommodate the large size of radio waves. (Includes two telescope stories.)
Multi-mirror Telescopes: Multi-mirror telescopes used computer technology to overcome the size limits of huge reflecting telescopes. (Includes two telescope stories, one biography.)
Space Telescopes: By placing telescopes in orbit above Earth, astronomers were finally free to view the universe in all wavelengths of light. (Includes five telescope stories, two biographies.)
Take Home Test Make comic strips that comment on 5 of the following. Rage comics or stick people are just fine. You may use an online comic generator, or draw your own This is an individual project.
I should be able to identify scientific evidence covered in this chapter in the artifact to support your ideas. Each strip is worth 2 points for the evidence, 2 points for the drawing, 2 points for the humor.
1.Why is it so hard to get in or out of the solar system enroute to a ‘new Earth?
2.Why do so many people believe that the moon comes out only at night? Pick a specific phase of the moon and its location (East, West, or Zenith) to make your point.
3. Why do we spend money to look at features of other planets besides our own?
4. What special features do rocky planets have to protect life?
5. Is our moon special?
6. Should we travel in space?
7. Are the asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud made of the same thing?
8. Why do we track asteroids and meteorites?
9. Why do we care about our solar system?
10. How does space and microgravity affect the health and hygiene of astronauts?
