StargazingStargazing

By Lynsey WilkieBy Lynsey Wilkie

September 30, 2009September 30, 2009

Science Standard 3- Science Standard 3- The Physical SettingThe Physical Setting

Indicator 5.3.3- Observe the stars and identify stars that Indicator 5.3.3- Observe the stars and identify stars that are unusually bright and those that have unusual colors, are unusually bright and those that have unusual colors, such as reddish or bluish. such as reddish or bluish.

Taken from- Taken from- http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/Stanhttp://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspxdardSearch.aspxhttp://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/stargazing/

Link to Link to Activity-http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sActivity-http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sci/sci_5_3_starlight.pdfci/sci_5_3_starlight.pdf

DefinitionsDefinitions Atmosphere- Atmosphere- The envelope of gasses surrounding any celestial The envelope of gasses surrounding any celestial

bodybody

Celestial- Celestial- Of or relating to the night skyOf or relating to the night sky

Orbit- Orbit- The path described by one celestial body in its revolution The path described by one celestial body in its revolution about anotherabout another

Pulsar- Pulsar- A young neutron star that produces beams of radiation from A young neutron star that produces beams of radiation from its magnetic polesits magnetic poles

Solar System- Solar System- The sun with the celestial bodies that revolve around The sun with the celestial bodies that revolve around it in its gravitational fieldit in its gravitational field

Supernova- Supernova- The death explosion of a massive star, resulting in a The death explosion of a massive star, resulting in a sharp increase in brightness sharp increase in brightness

Taken from: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/stargazing/

MaterialsMaterials Make sure that the weather forecast will be nice for star gazingMake sure that the weather forecast will be nice for star gazing PencilPencil Crayons or colored pencilsCrayons or colored pencils PaperPaper PencilsPencils Scissors Scissors Glue or tape Glue or tape Magazines and handouts with pictures of various stars, planets, and Magazines and handouts with pictures of various stars, planets, and

celestial bodies celestial bodies White construction paper, one piece per student White construction paper, one piece per student Astronomy texts and encyclopedias Astronomy texts and encyclopedias Computer with Internet access Computer with Internet access Stargazing Stargazing moviemovie

Pre-Activity DiscussionPre-Activity Discussion Why do we not see the sun at night when we see many other stars at night?Why do we not see the sun at night when we see many other stars at night?

The sun is closer to the Earth than other starsThe sun is closer to the Earth than other stars At night the Earth rotates away from us so we can’t see itAt night the Earth rotates away from us so we can’t see it

What do you notice about the stars at night?What do you notice about the stars at night? ColorColor ShapeShape SizeSize BrightnessBrightness

Talking about the Milky Way galaxy and our solar systemTalking about the Milky Way galaxy and our solar system Have students identify the planets in our solar system and talk about the Have students identify the planets in our solar system and talk about the

characteristics of each planetcharacteristics of each planet What makes Earth different from other planets?What makes Earth different from other planets?

Discuss the various stars and other celestial bodies found in our galaxy. Discuss the various stars and other celestial bodies found in our galaxy. Introduce this topic is to view segments of the Introduce this topic is to view segments of the Stargazing video or DVD. video or DVD.

ProcedureProcedure Tell students that they will observe the night skyTell students that they will observe the night sky

They will have to look closely at the stars and write down their They will have to look closely at the stars and write down their observations observations

Spilt students into groups of 3 or 4Spilt students into groups of 3 or 4 Have students discuss what the observed about the starsHave students discuss what the observed about the stars

After watching the program and discussing their observations, tell After watching the program and discussing their observations, tell students that they will pretend to be astronauts who have just students that they will pretend to be astronauts who have just returned from a journey across our galaxyreturned from a journey across our galaxy

In that role, they will create journals that document what they saw in In that role, they will create journals that document what they saw in outer space.outer space.

Their journals must be descriptive and creativeTheir journals must be descriptive and creative Each journal should be a minimum of 3 pagesEach journal should be a minimum of 3 pages

They must collect facts, by using library references and other texts, the They must collect facts, by using library references and other texts, the Internet, or other research materialInternet, or other research material

ProductProduct

This is an example of what a students This is an example of what a students journal cover might look likejournal cover might look like

ProcedureProcedure When students have finished writing have them decorate When students have finished writing have them decorate

sheets of white construction paper with drawings or sheets of white construction paper with drawings or photographs of planets, stars, and/or celestial objects. photographs of planets, stars, and/or celestial objects.

Have students fold these collages in half and "bind" their Have students fold these collages in half and "bind" their journal entries inside.journal entries inside.

Allow volunteers to read parts of their journals aloud to the Allow volunteers to read parts of their journals aloud to the class. class.

Monitor each group’s discussion and ask students questions Monitor each group’s discussion and ask students questions such as:such as: Did you notice any stars that were unusually bright?Did you notice any stars that were unusually bright? Why do you think stars appear to have different colors?Why do you think stars appear to have different colors?

Activity DiscussionActivity Discussion Discuss with students that how bright a star Discuss with students that how bright a star looks looks to us to us

depends on its magnitude, or brightness, and its depends on its magnitude, or brightness, and its distance from Earth.distance from Earth.

Discuss with students how the color of a star is due to its Discuss with students how the color of a star is due to its surface temperature. surface temperature. Blue stars have the hottest surface temperatures, Blue stars have the hottest surface temperatures,

while red stars have the coolest.while red stars have the coolest. Ask students to list a characteristic of each planetAsk students to list a characteristic of each planet Ask students to describe and compare different types of Ask students to describe and compare different types of

celestial bodies found in our galaxy celestial bodies found in our galaxy

ResourcesResources

ActivityActivityhttp://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/

AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspxhttp://www.indianastandardsresources.org/

files/sci/sci_5_3_starlight.pdfJournal ExampleJournal Examplehttp://chesterfield.k12.va.us/Schools/

Hening_ES/Mariaweb/artsonia%20work/ShawnScholl.JPG