ERIC ED399149: Universe At Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook.

764 Pages·1996·16 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 399 149
SE 058 359
AUTHOR
Fraknoi, Andrew, Ed.
TITLE
Universe At Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity
and Resource Notebook.
INSTITUTION
Astronomical Society of the Pacific, San Francisco,
CA.
SPONS AGENCY
National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
Washington, D.C.; National Science Foundation,
Arlington, VA.
REPORT NO
ISBN-1-886733-00-7
PUB DATE
96
CONTRACT
ESI-9253156
NOTE
779p.
AVAILABLE FROM
Project ASTRO, Astronomical Society of the Pacific,.
390 Ashton Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112.
PUB TYPE
Classroom Use
Guides
Instructional Materials (For
Classroom Use Teaching
Learner)
Guides
(051)
Guides (For Teacher)
(052)
EDRS PRICE
MF05/PC32 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
*Astronomy; Earth Science; Elementary Secondary
Education; Interdisciplinary Approach; Lesson Plans;
*Science Activities; *Science Curriculum; Space
Sciences; Teaching Guides; Units of Study
ABSTRACT
The goal of this resource notebook is to provide
activities selected by astronomers and classroom teachers,
comprehensive resource lists and bibliographies, background material
on astronomical topics, and teaching ideas from experienced astronomy
educators. The activities are grouped into several major areas of
study in astronomy: lunar phases and eclipses, the Sun and the
seasons, the planets, the scale of the solar system, comets and
meteors, star-finding and constellations, stars, galaxies and the
universe, space exploration and the Search for Extra-Terrestrial
Intelligence (SETT), tools of the astronomer, debunking
pseudoscience, and astronomy in different cultures. An extensive
glossary and a section that provides interdisciplinary teaching ideas
are included. (DDR)
***********************************************************************
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
***********************************************************************
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PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND
DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL
HA BEE GRANTED BY
U.B. DEPARTMENT OR EDUCATION
°Ike of Eaucistionai Research and Improvement
UCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
CENTER 'ERIC)
RESOURCES
TO THE EDUCATIONAL
This document has been reproduced all
eived from the person or organization
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
otwonatong It.
0 Minor Changes have been made to imProve
reproduction Quality.
o Points of mew Or orunions stated in this doci
PROJECT ASTRO
ment do not neceSSants represent official
OERI pototoon or policy.
ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
OF THE PACIFIC
2
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
THE UNIVERSE
AT
YOUR FINGERTIPS
AN ASTRONOMY ACTIVITY
AND RESOURCE NOTEBOOK
EDITED BY
Andrew Fraknoi
A Publication of
4(1'
PROJECT
ASTRO
at the
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
PROJECT ASTRO
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
390 Ashton Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112
415-337-1100
FAX [phone]
is
THE UNIVERSE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: AN ASTRONOMY ACTIVITY AND RESOURCE NOTEBOOK
available through the catalog of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
COVER AND DESIGN
Joan Venticinque
PROJECT
PRODUCTION
Donna Kinsler
ASTRO
PHOTOS
Across the Curriculum Tab page photo by Catherine Lombard
Copyright © 1995 by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
1-886733-00-7
ISBN
THE UNIVERSE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: AN ASTRONOMY ACTIVITY AND RESOURCE NOTEBOOK
was prepared with the support of the National Science Foundation, Informal
Science Education grant No. ESI-9253156. Support for the first draft version was
provided through a grant from the Banbury Fund.
Comments Welcome
We welcome your criticisms, suggestions, helpful hints and anecdotes about your
Please send
Universe at Your Fingertips.
experience presenting activities from the
your comments to: Resource Notebook Revisions, Astronomical Society of the
Pacific, 390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112.
4
1
THE UNIVERSE
AT YouR
FINGERTIPS
AN ASTRONOMY ACTIVITY AND
RESOURCE NOTEBOOK
Edited by Andrew Fraknoi
PROJECT ASTRO STAFF
Andrew Fraknoi, Project Director
Jessica Richter, Project Coordinator
Donna Kinsler, Project Assistant
ACTIVITIES EDITORS
TEACHER CONSULTANTS
Scott Hildreth, Chabot College
Ann Dee Clemenza
Joseph Snider, Oberlin College
Jim McDonald
David Peterson
Stephen Ruthorford
Christina Wilder
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS
Cary Sneider, Director Astronomy and
Physics Education, Lawrence Hall of Science,
University of California at Berkeley
EVALUATOR
Sally Stephens, Sirius Science Writers
Lynn Dierking, Science Learning Inc.
5
i
REVIEWERS, ADVISORS AND CONTRIBUTORS
PROJECT ASTRO ADVISORY BOARD
REVIEWERS
Robert Ashford, Hewlett-Packard (retired)
Yvonne Chong, Marina Middle School
Yvonne Chong, Marina Middle School
Anthony Heinzman, Apple Valley Junior High school
Edna DeVore, FOSTER Project, SETT Institute
Mary Kay Hemenway, University of Texas
Michael Guelker-Cone, Teacher
Larry Lebofsky, University of Arizona
Anthony Heinzman, Apple Valley Middle School
Jeff Lockwood, Sahuaro High School
Mary Kay Hemenway,, University of Texas
Gary Nakagiri, San Mateo County Office of Education
Darrell Hoff, Luther College
Kathleen O'Sullivan, San Francisco State University
Michael Reynolds, Chabot Observatory & Science Center
Michael Reynolds, Chabot Observatory & Science Center
Dennis Schatz, Pacific Science Center
Dennis Schatz, Pacific Science Center
Cary Sneider, Lawrence Hall of Science, University of
California
ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC
A. Parker Stack, California State University, Hayward
STAFF MEMBERS
Robert Havlen, Executive Director
Robin Russell, Project Assistant
Sherwood Harrington, Education Coordinator
Joseph O'Sullivan, Graphic Designer
Janet Doughty, Graphics and Production
Barbara Keville, Administration
PROJECT ASTRO PILOT PROJECT PARTICIPANTS
ASTRONOMERS
TEACHERS
Tim Robertson
Robert Ashford
Jose Angulo
Elizabeth Roettger
Gibor Basri
Catherine Hall
Connie Armitage
Tinka Ross
William Blankley
John Baugh
Dian Hare
Alexander L. Rudolph
Michael Brown
Kathy Bernardo
Steve Harness
Deborah K. Scherrer
Larry A. Brown
Daniel Bohan
Ron Harris
Fred Schumacher
Billie Chandler
Jeannie Kohl
Ann Dee Clemenza
Dennis Smith
Richard Combs
Linda Koravos
Mary Dalton
Adam Stanford
Nancy Cox
Kathryn Krahn
Sheila Devine
Randy Steiner
Nahide Craig
Lynda Lundeby
Emily A. Dixon-Hull
Donna Amilan
Rachel Dewey
Carol Eldridge
Carol McGurk
Donald B. Stouder
Frank Dibbell
Trish Mihalek
David Fish
Earl R. Towson
Tim Feldman
Steve Hofer
Mary Patch
Richard Wagoner
William Fisher
Nancy Ann Peters
Tien Huynh-Dinh
Bruce Gottlieb
Debra Phillips
Nancy C. Issel-Mayes
Arno Granados
Andrew Johnson
Lisa Piety
Isabel Hawkins
Sherry Johnson
Angela Poleselli
Barry Hirrell
Tim Kan
Russ Rackow
John Jossy
Sharon Regner
Jeanine Miller
Robert Karl
Nancy Kanegai
Joy Reist
Gregory L. Klotz
Juanita Arruiza Ryan
Eileen Mitro
Robert A. Kraft
Chris Sahm
Peggy P. Moore
Pat Lambertson
Beverly Schwerin
Lee Myrick
Neil Lark
Wanda Shaffer
Sidnie Myrick
Paul Lee
Barbara Silberman
Steve Nardi
Betty MacMillan
Michael Alan Nelson
Christine Souza
Fred Marschak
Sharon Parker Gwyneth Stephenson
Nathalie Martimbeau
Donna Flores
Alan Van Gardner
Ellis D. Miner
Angela Froehlich
Catherine Wachtler
Nathan B. Miron
Christina Wilder
Richard A. George
Paul Mortfield
Jill Ghysels
Sheila Wiley
Wayne Narron
Laurel Wingate
Fred Gilardi
Tony Ortega
Leslie A. Woods
Gwen Guest
William B. Phelps
Marcia Zableckis
Patricia Gutierrez
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
SECTION 1
Introduction to the Notebook
1
How to Use The Universe at Your Fingertips
5
ASTRONOMY BACKGROUND
SECTION 2
Planets, Stars and Galaxies: A Grand Tour of the Universe
1
How Fast Are You Moving When You Are Sitting Still?
5
What Astronomers Do
7
Getting Started in Astronomy
9
A Brief Glossary of Commonly Used Astronomical Terms
13
TEACHING AND LEARNING
SECTION 3
Teaching Astronomy and Science Education Reform
1
Learning Astronomy: Insights from Research and Practice
7
ASTRONOMY ACTIVITIES
SECTION 4
Astronomy Activities Introduction
1
Glossary of Science Objectives
4
Sample Sequences of Activities
7
Table of Contents for the Activity Section
13
ACTIVITIES SECTIONS
A. Our Moons Phases and Eclipses
Section A
About the Activities
2
Background: Our Moons Phases and Eclipses
4
Activities
8
Resources for Exploring the Moon
24
Resources for Exploring Eclipses of the Sun and Moon
26
B. Sun and Seasons
Section B
About the Activities
2
Background: Sun and Seasons
4
Activities
6
Resources for Exploring the Sun
72
7
ASTRO
III
RESOURCE NOTEBOOK/ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC
PROJECT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
Section C
C. The Planets
2
About the Activities
4
Background: The Planets
8
Activities
72
Resources for Exploring the Planets
Section D
D. Scale of the Solar System
2
About the Activities
4
Background: Scale of the Solar System
6
Activities
52
Resources for Exploring Our Solar System in General
Section E
E. Comets and Meteors
2
About the Activities
4
Background: Comets and Meteors
8
Activities
32
Resources for Exploring Comets, Meteors, and Meteorites
36
Resources for Exploring Cosmic Impacts
Section F
F. Star-Finding and Constellations
2
About the Activities
4
Background: Star-Finding and Constellations
6
Activities
Resources for Exploring Constellations and Night Sky Observing 56
Section G
G. Stars
2
About the Activities
4
Background: Stars
8
Activities
38
Resources for Exploring the Life Story of the Stars
Section H
H. Galaxies and the Universe
2
About the Activities
4
Background: Galaxies and the Universe
6
Activities
50
Resources for Exploring Galaxies
Resources for Exploring the Big Bang and the Expansion of
52
the Universe
Section I
I. Space Exploration and SETI
2
About the Activities
4
Background: Space Exploration
6
Background: the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
10
Activities
54
Resources for Exploring Space Exploration
58
Resources for Exploring the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
RESOURCE NOTEBOOK/ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC
ASTRO
iv
PROJECT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
J. Tools of the Astronomer
Section.)
About the Activities
2
Background: Tools of the Astronomer
4
Activities
8
Resources for Exploring Telescopes Astronomers Use
76
Resources for Exploring Telescopes and Binoculars for Beginners
79
K. Debunking Pseudoscience
Section K
About the Activities
2
Background: Astronomical Pseudoscience
4
Your Astrology Defense Kit
6
Face on Mars
11
Activities
16
Resources for Exploring Astrology and Other
Astronomical Pseudoscience
38
L Astronomy in Different Cultures
Section L
About the Activities
2
Activities
4
Resources for Exploring Sky lore (the Astronomical
Mythology of Many Cultures)
30
Resources for Exploring the Naming of Astronomical Objects
32
M. Across the Curriculum: Interdisciplinary Teaching Ideas
Section M
About the Activities
2
Activities
4
Resources for Exploring Interdisciplinary Approaches to Astronomy
38
RESOURCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHIES
SECTION 5
The Universe on a Bookshelf: A Basic Astronomical Library
1
National Astronomy Education Projects: A Catalog
5
Selected Resources for Teaching Astronomy
11
Women in Astronomy: An Introductory Bibliography
17
Urania's Heritage: A Historical Introduction to Women in Astronomy
21
Resources for Exploring the Work and Lives of Astronomers
31
Computers and Astronomy
35
A Galaxy of Astronomy and Space Software
47
Astronomy Organizations and Suppliers of Audiovisual and Other
Teaching Materials
59
Order Forms for Astronomy Educational Materials
63
The Universe at Your Fingertips Feedback Form
69
9
v
ASTRO
RESOURCE NOTEBOOK/ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC
PROJECT
ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE
ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE
Can be extended to grade levels.
- Grade level recommended by authors
GRADE LEVELS
SECTION AND ACTIVITY NUMBER
Predicting Phases and Features
A-1
Observing Phases and Features
A-2
Modeling Moon Phases
A-3
Modeling Eclipse
A-4
8
10
12
4
6
9
11
2
7
5
3
SUN AND SEASONS
B
1
The Sun
B-1
Observing the Sun Safely
B-2
Observing Where the Sun Sets
B-3
Sunrises at Stonehenge
B-4
The Reasons for Seasons
B-5
Making Pictures of Motion
B-6
Making a Sun Clock
B-7
Plotting the Apparent Daily Motion of
B-8
the Sun
C
Solar Motion Detector
B-9
B-10 Modeling the Reasons for the Seasons
HEi
The Earth's Shape and Gravity
C-1
What Shape Is the Earth?
C-2
C-3 How Big is the Earth?
Observing a Planet
C-4
Staying Up While Falling Down
C-5
Morning Star and Evening Star
C-6
Venus Topography Box
C-7
Martian Canals
C-8
Planet Picking
C-9
C-10 Solar System Bingo
C-11 Can You Planet?
C-12 How High Can You Jump On Another Planet?
mI
D-1 A Question of Scale
3-D Model of the Earth and the Moon
D-2
D-3 How Big is the Moon?
D-4 Finding the Size of the Sun and Moon
m
Solar System Scale Model Sized to Your Room
D-5
RESOURCE NOTEBOOK/ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC
ASTRO
vi
PROJECT
10