Astronomy


 * __ASTRONOMY __


 * The study of the stars, the sun, the planets, their moons as well as comets and asteroids. Astronomers study the sky. They are concerned with planets, moons, stars, comets and other objects in space.   ||

** Learning Aims **
 * Explain the similarities and differences between Astrology and Astronomy to recognise which has a scientific basis and which does not.
 * Describe the contribution of early astronomers to major ideas about earth and our solar system.
 * Use data to compare the gravitational attraction between objects in space.
 * Describe the contribution of telescopes and space probes to our knowledge of the solar system.
 * Describe the major features of our solar system and compare characteristics.
 * Describe how the position of the planets, moon, sun and stars affect natural phenomena. Use models and images from computer software to interpret and explain observations regarding, day and night, different seasons, how the phases of the moon are produced, and lunar and solar eclipses and to explain the relationship between the tides and the lunar cycle.
 * To develop a broader understanding of the components of the universe, including galaxies, asteroids, comets, meteors and black holes and be able to describe Earths place in space.
 * Work collaboratively to develop questions about an area of interest for investigation and presentation.
 * Co-operate to develop and implement plans to complete short-term and long-term tasks within timeframes.
 * Use a range of methods and resources to research, collect and present data including correct scientific vocabulary.

**ACTIVITIES**

Glossary words : __ Astronomy, Celestial, Astrology, Constellation, Zodiac __ __ Learning Intention: __ We are learning to explain the similarities and differences between Astrology and Astronomy to recognise which has a scientific basis and which does not. __ Success Criteria: __
 * A CTIVITY 1 **
 * I can describe why Astrology does not have a scientific basis and Astronomy does
 * 1) What do you know about Astronomy? Complete the KWLH Chart [[file:KWLH-astronomy.doc]]
 * 2) What is Astrology? (copy the definition from below) How accurate was your horoscope?

Comparing astrology and astronomy Astronomers are scientists. They make and use observations to learn more about the universe, including our solar system. Astrologers are not scientists. They make predictions about people’s lives. Their predictions are based on star signs and observations of the Sun, Moon and planets. The dates listed in horoscopes are based on when the Sun seemed to pass in front of each constellation over 2000 years ago. Those dates have changed, but the dates in horoscopes remain the same.

DID YOU KNOW FACT: In 1979, a French psychologist offered free horoscopes to 150 people who agreed to complete a survey about their accuracy. He sent the horoscope for the birth date of Dr Petiot, a mass murderer, to all 150 people. When they were asked if the horoscope made accurate predictions about themselves, 94 per cent said yes.

Glossary words : __ Astronomer, Telescope, Solar system, Galaxy, Universe. __ __ Learning Intention: __ We are learning to describe the major contributions to astronomy over time __ Success Criteria: __
 * ACTIVITY 2 **
 * I have described one or more major contributions to astronomy, explained the contribution and named the astronomer
 * I have contributed to the class timeline by completing my groups slides, I have submitted my organiser, self-assessed and printed my slides.

// TRUE or FALSE? // Answer: T, Aristotle (384-322BCE) was the first scholar to put forward scientific evidence that the earth is a sphere and not flat, he argued that earths shadow on the moon during an eclipse had a curved edge Answer: F, the earth rotates around the sun in our solar system, which is in the milky way galaxy, one of many galaxies in the universe. Up until1543 it was believed that the earth was the centre of the universe, until a polish scholar named **Nicholaus Copernicus** suggested otherwise. Answer: F, In 1572, **Tycho Brahe** reports the sighting of a new star, revolutionising the idea that the heavens never change. Answer: T, Around 1577 **Tycho Brahe** also measured the length of a year to an accuracy of one second (this was before the telescope was invented). Answer: T, J**ohannes Kepler** (succeeded **Tycho Brahe** and inherited his observations after he died) wrote the three laws of planetary motion still in use today. Answer: T, One day on Mars takes 24 hours and 37 minutes, the time it takes for Mars to rotate around the sun once. It wasn’t until 1609 and after **Galileo’s** invention of the first astronomical telescope that the sizes, spin rates and spin axis orientations could be measured. The discovery of the moons of Jupiter happened at the same time. The technological development of the telescope has opened up entirely new views on the universe.
 * 1) __ Earth is a sphere __
 * 1) __ The Earth the center of the universe __
 * 1) __The night sky never changes__
 * 1) __ One Year is the time taken for a planet to orbit the sun __
 * 1) __ Every planet orbits the sun in an elliptical orbit __
 * 1) __ Mars takes 24 hours and 37 minutes to rotate around the sun __
 * 1) Class timeline of early astronomers task [[file:AstronomerAssign..docx]]
 * Sample timeline slides [[file:Isaac Newton.pptx]]
 * Pictures of early contributors to Astronomy [[file:Early astronomers.docx]]

Glossary words : __ Telescope, Space probe __ __ Learning Intention: __ We are learning t o describe the contribution of telescopes and space probes to astronomy __ Success Criteria: __
 * ACTIVITY 3 **
 * I have made my own telescope
 * I can describe when telescopes began to contribute to our understanding of astronomy and how they have developed to continue to improve our understanding of worlds beyond our own.

DID YOU KNOW FACT: The earliest evidence of working telescopes were the [|refracting telescopes] that appeared in the [|Netherlands] in 1608. Their development is credited to three individuals: [|Hans Lippershey] and [|Zacharias Janssen], who were spectacle makers in Middelburg, and [|Jacob Metius] of [|Alkmaar]. [4] [|Galileo] greatly improved upon these designs the following year.

Watch these video's on how telescopes work : @http://www.5min.com/Video/Understanding-How-a-Telescope-Works-517019150 @http://www.5min.com/Video/How-the-Hubble-Space-Telescope-Works-171016811 @http://www.5min.com/Video/Images-from-the-Hubble-Space-Telescope-276007471

See further resources below in the resource section...

Glossary words : __ Gravity, Mass, Weight, Planet __ __ Learning Intention: __ We are learning t o use data to describe the gravitational attraction between objects __ Success Criteria: __
 * ACTIVITY 4 **
 * I can describe the difference between mass and weight
 * I can describe the relationship between mass and gravitational attraction

__ Your Task: __
 * 1)  Glossary Words:  Record the definitions for the glossary words above in your science glossary list.
 * 2)  Planetary data : What do you notice about the relationship between mass and gravity compared to Earth? Access the data by opening the powerpoint below.


 * 1)  Complete the sentence in your workbook: When the mass of the planet is higher than the mass of the earth, the gravity of the planet is always… than the gravity of Earth.
 * 2) Your weight on other worlds: go to the following website and calculate your weight on other worlds. What do you notice? What reasoning can you give? Write a sentence in your workbook to explain what you saw: @http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/
 * 3) Use a t-chart to compare the differences between mass and weight, consider units of measurements, does it change? (If yes, how/ when/ why?) and what is it an actual measure of?

Learning Intention: ﻿ To discover what the phases of the moon are and how they are produced __ Success Criteria: __
 * ACTIVITY 5 **
 * I can describe the 8 phases of the moon and show how they are produced
 * I have documented how the phases of moon are produced and answered questions 1-4.

__ Your Task: __ -Imagine that you are an astronomer; one of your passions in life is too study the night sky, you seek an understanding of how the Universe works; from the planets in our own Solar System, to the evolution of stars and nebulae, to whole systems and components of galaxies. At the moment you are fascinated with the changing moon. Based on your observations your hypothesis is that the changing face of the moon is a cycle that repeats itself after a defined period of time. Using this you set out to investigate the changing face of the moon…
 * 1) Reflect on the night sky. Record your previous observations of the changing face of the moon, draw and make any notes about what you have noticed.
 * 2) Go to the following website to complete the worksheet and identify the 8 phases of the moon. [[file:MoonPhaseWork1.docx]]
 * [] -**You need to label each moon phase and then answer the four questions below.


 * Q1. How do we see the moon? Does it generate its own light?
 * Q2. How many days does it take for the moon to orbit earth?
 * Q3. What is the difference between a new moon and a full moon?
 * Q4. What is the difference between Waxing and Waning?

Download and print this document if you prefer to shade, cut and paste rather than draw your moon phases **. **
 * 1) Now you must **use the information contained in the websites below** to draw (or shade, cut and paste) the correct positions of the moon at each phase relative to the sun and earth. This means you need to draw the positions of the sun and earth and then draw ALL of the moon phases in their correct positions, you should have 8 moons drawn in total. This can be done on white paper and pasted into workbooks or straight into workbooks.
 * ** [] - **(select open in a new window option above the image)
 * ** [] **
 * ** [] **

__ Learning Intention: __ To review and model the phases of the moon __ Success Criteria: __
 * ACTIVITY 6 ** Glossary words : __ Moon, Lunar Month, Phases of the moon, Eclipse __
 * I have participated in modeling the phases of the moon
 * I have answered questions 1-5

__ Your Task: __ Moon Phases activity ** ACTIVITY 7 ** Glossary words : __tide__   __ Learning Intention: __ To explain the relationship between tides and the lunar cycle    __ Success Criteria: __ > I can describe what a tide is and how it is formed > I can identify the difference between spring and neap tides and how this occurs __ Your Task: __
 * Check out the current moon phase! @http://moonphases.willyweather.com.au/vic.html
 * Science Quest 2 Questions (Chapter 7) Complete questions 1-5 on p157
 * Go to the following website and answer the questions below in your workbook @http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/moontides/
 * 1) Define the word tides. What is a tide and how does it occur?
 * 2) Do tides occur in lakes as well? Explain your answer.
 * 3) What is the name of the attractive force that occurs between the moon and the tides.
 * 4) Draw a labeled diagram (using pencil) to show spring tides and also neap tides.
 * 5) Explain what spring tides are and how they occur
 * 6) Explain what neap tides are and how they occur


 * @http://www.5min.com/Video/Learn-about-The-Tides-117573620
 * How does the moon impact on the earths spin? check out the video @http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/30999-why-tell-me-why-our-spinning-earth-video.htm

** ACTIVITY 8 ** __ Learning Intention __ : To investigate and develop a broader understanding of one or more components of the universe __ Success Criteria: __
 * I have completed the planning page in my workbook
 * I have chosen a component of the universe to investigate and have begun my research

__ Your Task: __

Finished early? Or simply want to learn more, there are a number of ways you can extend yourself in science. Any time you are actively learning more about science you are extending yourself by expanding on your own knowledge and understanding of Science **. **** Consider expanding yourself at different levels specified below. **
 * EXTENSION TOPICS -the science behind the technology or simply learn the science behind the science! **

Remember below are just some ideas on how you can extend yourself within this topic, there is no reason why are can't continue to extend yourself in other areas of science outside of the topic you are learning in class, with your teachers guidance. ** .. ** There is no restrictions to what you can extend your knowledge in, it often depends on what you are interested in and what you want to learn about. If there isn't an extension task suited to you see your teacher to inform them of what you would like to be extended in so we can accommodate you! See your teacher when you are completing any sort of extension in Science to gain feedback and guidance! Good luck and let the learning continue!


 * __ FAMOUS ASTRONOMERS __**
 * 1) Interested in HISTORY? Continue your investigation of one of the early astronomers, it can be one you worked on in __Activity 2__ above or it can be another astronomer in history that you are interested in. You could create a timeline of your astronomer outlining important events in his life... **(Level 1 extension)**
 * 2) You could include a more detailed explanation of one of his discoveries, including labelled diagrams **(Level 2 extension)**. You can choose any way that suits you to present your findings. Remember it is important to accurately reference your sources.

__** TELESCOPES **__
 * Choose to investigate the history, the science behind the technology or the science behind the science! **
 * 1) Interested in HISTORY? Investigate the evolution of telescopes from the very first telescope (1600's) to telescopes used today. Consider the following questions: How have they changed? What images can they produce? How have they contributed to our knowledge of astronomy? **(Level 1-Level 2 extension).** You can choose any way that suits you to present your findings. Remember it is important to accurately reference your sources.
 * 2)  Interested in HOW THINGS WORK? Investigate how a telescope works, include a labelled diagram and a brief description of the function of each of the parts. You can choose the type of telescope you would like to investigate. This could be a good follow-on extension from 1. above. ** (Level 2 extension) ** . Remember you  can choose any way that suits you to present your findings.
 * 3) Interested in finding out the SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCIENCE? Learn about how lenses work, you should find out what refraction is, you could include an overview of lenses **(level 3 extension)**. You could delve deeper to include "ray diagrams" to show how lenses focus light to produce an image **(level 3-4 extension).** YOU COULD EVEN go further to learn a little bit about the properties of light! What is light? How can it be refracted? If you already know this you could develop your own question for investigation... SO WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE?

** Resources ** > @http://www.5min.com/Video/How-the-Hubble-Space-Telescope-Works-171016811 > @http://www.5min.com/Video/Images-from-the-Hubble-Space-Telescope-276007471 @http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/
 * Astronomy "visual glossary" ppt [[file:AstronomyGlossary.pptx]]
 * Think space web page: information on solar system, stars, galaxies, universe and astronomers. @http://library.thinkquest.org/26220/astronomers/ancient_astronomers.html
 * Views of the universe: Ptolemy vs. Copernicus @http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/groundup/lesson/basics/g37/
 * Understanding the size of the universe: @http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/groundup/lesson/basics/g45/
 * The Changing shape of the solar system @http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/groundup/lesson/basics/g42/
 * Go to :@http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/groundup/lesson/basics/index.php?return=true...
 * Check out: __Three ways light can be altered__, __Refraction vs. Reflection,__ __What do telescopes do__, __What makes a good telescope.__ Also extend yourself by selecting any of the sections from **Light, colour and optics** or **Telescopes** that interest you.
 * Watch the video on how telescopes work:
 * @http://www.5min.com/Video/Understanding-How-a-Telescope-Works-517019150
 * @http://video.yahoo.com/nasa-25805617/theuniverse-26139869/kepler-the-search-for-earth-size-planets-begins-26139871.html
 * http://video.yahoo.com/nasa-25805617/theuniverse-26139869/the-hubble-legacy-galaxy-evolution-26139872.htm
 * Your weight on other worlds... find out about gravity by finding out about mass and weight.
 * Moon Phases: @http://moonphases.willyweather.com.au/vic.html, @http://vimeo.com/9606000
 * Play the moon phases game! @http://www.purposegames.com/game/1016/info
 * Name the planets game! @http://www.purposegames.com/game/161/info

> @http://primaxstudio.com/stuff/scale_of_universe/ > @http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/ > @http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/milkyway/components.html > > > >
 * Some websites for your project...
 * @http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/seuforum/index.htm
 * @http://www.space.com/science-astronomy/

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