Sun flare links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cycle

http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/06/09/09climatewire-this-weeks-solar-flare-illuminates-the-grids-63979.html?pagewanted=all

http://greekgeek.hubpages.com/hub/massive-solar-flare-1859

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7819201/Nasa-warns-solar-flares-from-huge-space-storm-will-cause-devastation.html

http://science.howstuffworks.com/solar-flare-electronics.htm

Starting Unit 3

Group Whiteboard questions:

1. Scan through the first 12 slides.   Then, discuss the statement  "Why is sunlight responsible for life on earth?"   List what evidence you have that supports the statement.
2. Focus on the radius and mass of the Sun and compare it to our Earth and Jupiter.   
3. Finally, look at the differences in temperature between the core and the convection zone, and try to explain it to me using a meaningful analogy.  (Example:  the difference between a tornado and a breeze is like a semi of rice grains compared to a dozen).

====
We watched excerpts from:

Citation (MLA)

  The Sun. National Geographic. 2004
  Learn360. 19 September 2012
  http://www.learn360.com/ShowVideo.aspx?ID=128186

Citation (MLA)

  Secrets Of The Sun. A&E Television Networks. 2007
  Learn360. 19 September 2012
  http://www.learn360.com/ShowVideo.aspx?ID=227115


We took notes regarding:
The Sunspot Cycle
Maunder Diagram
Space Weather



Day 2
Go to the link below. Try looking at a spectra that is 350 degrees, 1000 degrees, and 6000 degrees. What amount of visible radiation is shown in each of those? Why do we have blackbody spectra for stars?

Link:   Black Body Radiation






Complete the sun lab using the sheets provided, and the link shown below

Link:  Sun Lab



Line Spectra Lab

Click to Run

 Investigate screen and experiment with the situations.  Predict what will happen under the following situations:

What will happen when the voltage is increased?
 With the voltage at a given amount, what will happen when the heater percentage is reduced?
If conditions are set so that light is being produced in multiple molecule mode, what will happen in single atom mode? Check your predictions.

 Questions: 1. What condition(s) must be met in order for light to be produced by a discharge lamp?

 2. What event(s) occurs to actually produce the light we see?

 3. Does the spectrophotometer indicate unique spectrums for each gas?

 4. What types of electromagnetic radiation are produced?

 5. How could this phenomenon be used by astronomers?

The Heliosphere

We went over this
material on 9/17, when many students were gone for the UNI college fair.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliosphere

http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/interstellar.html


You are responsible for this material on the test.

==============================

Moons of Jupiter Exercise:   http://physics.highpoint.edu/~atitus/clea/moons-of-jupiter/

The Last Bits and Pieces

Today, you will be reading and summarizing.  At the end, you may take a picture of your notebook writings or you may simply do all the summarizing in your online journal, but I will need to see your work.   When you get done, you may work on your video.


READINGS on the Bits in the solar system.

How Far Have We Gone?

The Magnetosphere

Building a Moon 

Asteroid Encounters

Space Junk


==========

Diameter of the Moon (at home lab for extra 10 points, due on 9/18)




============Pluto as Planet Discussion at YOUR TABLE============

Come up with a 1 page summary as a group.  Hand in.

Pluto isn't a planet

Pluto IS a planet

How was Pluto discovered?

Moon or Mars or Bust

You and your partner have a choice to make.   Should the first off-Earth settlement be built on the Moon or on Mars?

There are pros and cons to each.

I.  To start, let's look at the current information out there.  Scan these two articles and provide a summary for each.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/22/world/mars-one-way-ticket  

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2330220/Astronauts-LIVE-moon-2020-Nasa-report-claims.html

II.  Then see some of the thoughts behind this dream by looking at the different thinking plans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki /Colonization_of_Mars  

http://marshome.org/ 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonization_of_the_Moon 

http://www.nss.org/settlement/ 

The point of this is to figure out critical needs.  Make a t-chart to list the differences between the Moon and Mars.

III. Now look at some of the missions that have already been put together to each planet:

http://planetary.org/explore/topics/the_moon/missions.html 

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/programmissions/ 

What have they already figured out about the planet regarding the atmosphere or the availability of water?

IV. Use your Current Posters or other readings to help you see if there are:

a) plate tectonics

b) a magnetosphere

c) an atmosphere

d) water

e) gravitational forces

f) minerals

g) temperature extremes

How does this information affect your decision?

V. Use the solar system orrery to determine the distance between the Earth and the Moon and the Earth and Mars.  How long do you think it will take to get there on a space mission, and what does that mean for a launch date?

VI. Finally, take a look at the life and health risks involved in being an astronaut on a long-term journey.

Health Concerns
Exercise
Hygiene needs

Can we taste in space?

Risk Factors

Can we have kids in space?

Based on these health risks, do you want to be the one to travel on your journey? And whether you do or not, what are 10 things needed for the journey keep your brain and emotions healthy?  Explain.

Where should we go?  Make your decision, and be prepared to support it with at least 5 reasonable arguments/evidence.  Create a video blog, or a powerpoint, or a podcast interview(share it with me) or email it to me.  This is due by Sunday night at 11:59 pm

Rubric for grading--Individual

Boldface questions are worth 30 points and must be done individually in your shared Google Docs Journal.   I expect either complete sentences or bulleted points.

Rubric for grading--Group

This presentation is worth 60 points

Category	Excellent	Acceptable	Marginal	Unacceptable
Quality of Product Multimedia	Worthy of the World	Informative and Loved By Parents	Entertaining to Friends	Rude, or Socially Unacceptable
Quality of Content	Worthy of the World	Informative and Loved By Parents	Entertaining to Friends	Rude, or Socially Unacceptable
Persuasiveness to a Position	Worthy of a Debate Scholarship	Gets a II at Individual Speech	Snowjob	Rude, or Socially Unacceptable
Identification of the Risks Involved	Worthy of a NASA or insurance report	Acceptable to someone who is on Survivor	Adequate for those who shun safety gear	Rude, or Unacceptable
Thoroughness of Information	Worthy of a private boardroom presentation	Filled with Geeky Speak	Entertaining to Friends	Rude, or Socially Unacceptable

Project Poster for Two

There is poster paper in the front of the room underneath the black table that does NOT have a microwave on it.  Use that, and colored pencils to complete this activity.  TEAMS OF TWO, or do it individually.

Remember, posters are VISUAL devices.  I want pictures, not just factoids, ok, so do not number 1-5.    And do not do the same thing as your classmate, please?

1.  Compare our moon to one of the moons of Juipter in terms of plate tectonics, surface temp range, water, atmosphere, and composition.

2.  Compare the Earth to Mars in terms of plate tectonics/volcanoes, water, atmosphere, surface temp range, and composition

3.  Compare Earth to a gas giant using five features of your choosing.

4.  Explain the importance of a magnetic field, and determine which moons or planets likely have them.

5.  What features of the Earth makes life on it more possible than any other planet?  Explain your reasoning.


The powerpoint will help.  So will your notes from Friday.  You may save a copy to your Google Docs, or just use the published version below.

Scales of the Solar System

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orrery

http://www.solarsystemscope.com/

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

Today, in addition to looking at the issue of Retrograde Motion, we also need to consider the issue of how big the solar system is.  We really don't understand that too well.  You need to take the time to look at the following links, and then answer the questions below.


Scaling the Solar System
Retrograde Motion
Parallax