Universe at Your Fingertips: an Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook
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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 Guides Classroom Use Instructional Materials (For Learner) (051) Guides Classroom Use Teaching 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. *********************************************************************** ,rEUNIV AT flikc7 AN ASTRONOMY ACTIVITY AND RESOURCE NOTEBOOK -411111111111-- _.,:e11.2111Nar.. Ad111.11.11111"---- 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) TO THE EDUCATIONALRESOURCES This document has been reproduced all INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) eived from the person or organization otwonatong It. 0 Minor Changes have been made to imProve reproduction Quality. o Points of mew Or orunions stated in this doci ment do not neceSSants represent official PROJECT ASTRO OERI pototoon or policy. ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETYOF THE PACIFIC 2 BEST COPY AVAILABLE THE UNIVERSEAT YOUR FINGERTIPS AN ASTRONOMY ACTIVITYAND 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 415-337-5205 THE UNIVERSE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: AN ASTRONOMY ACTIVITY AND RESOURCE NOTEBOOKis available through the catalog of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. COVER AND DESIGN Joan Venticinque PROJECT PRODUCTION ASTRO Donna Kinsler PHOTOS Across the Curriculum Tab page photo by Catherine Lombard Copyright © 1995 by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. ISBN1-886733-00-7 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 experience presenting activities from theUniverse at Your Fingertips.Please send 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 REVIEWERS PROJECT ASTRO ADVISORY BOARD Yvonne Chong, Marina Middle School Robert Ashford, Hewlett-Packard (retired) Anthony Heinzman, Apple Valley Junior High school Yvonne Chong, Marina Middle School Mary Kay Hemenway, University of Texas Edna DeVore, FOSTER Project, SETT Institute Larry Lebofsky, University of Arizona Michael Guelker-Cone, Teacher Jeff Lockwood, Sahuaro High School Anthony Heinzman, Apple Valley Middle School Gary Nakagiri, San Mateo County Office of Education Mary Kay Hemenway,, University of Texas Kathleen O'Sullivan, San Francisco State University Darrell Hoff, Luther College 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 ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC California STAFF MEMBERS A. Parker Stack, California State University, Hayward 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 TEACHERS ASTRONOMERS Jose Angulo Robert Ashford Tim Robertson Connie Armitage Catherine Hall Gibor Basri Elizabeth Roettger John Baugh Dian Hare William Blankley Tinka Ross Kathy Bernardo Steve Harness Michael Brown Alexander L. Rudolph Daniel Bohan Ron Harris Larry A. Brown Deborah K. Scherrer Ann Dee Clemenza Jeannie Kohl Billie Chandler Fred Schumacher Mary Dalton Linda Koravos Richard Combs Dennis Smith Sheila Devine Kathryn Krahn Nancy Cox Adam Stanford Emily A. Dixon-Hull Lynda Lundeby Nahide Craig Randy Steiner Carol Eldridge Carol McGurk Rachel Dewey Donna Amilan David Fish Trish Mihalek Frank Dibbell Donald B. Stouder Steve Hofer Mary Patch Tim Feldman Earl R. Towson Tien Huynh-Dinh Nancy Ann Peters William Fisher Richard Wagoner Nancy C. Issel-Mayes Debra Phillips Bruce Gottlieb Andrew Johnson Lisa Piety Arno Granados Sherry Johnson Angela Poleselli Isabel Hawkins Tim Kan Russ Rackow Barry Hirrell Jeanine Miller Sharon Regner John Jossy Nancy Kanegai Joy Reist Robert Karl Eileen Mitro Juanita Arruiza Ryan Gregory L. Klotz Peggy P. Moore Chris Sahm Robert A. Kraft Lee Myrick Beverly Schwerin Pat Lambertson Sidnie Myrick Wanda Shaffer Neil Lark Steve Nardi Barbara Silberman Paul Lee Michael Alan Nelson Christine Souza Betty MacMillan Sharon Parker Gwyneth Stephenson Fred Marschak Donna Flores Alan Van Gardner Nathalie Martimbeau Angela Froehlich Catherine Wachtler Ellis D. Miner Richard A. George Christina Wilder Nathan B. Miron Jill Ghysels Sheila Wiley Paul Mortfield Fred Gilardi Laurel Wingate Wayne Narron Gwen Guest Leslie A. Woods Tony Ortega Patricia Gutierrez Marcia Zableckis William B. Phelps TABLEOF 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 PROJECTASTRORESOURCE NOTEBOOK/ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC7 III TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 C. The Planets Section C About the Activities 2 Background: The Planets 4 Activities 8 Resources for Exploring the Planets 72 D. Scale of the Solar System Section D About the Activities 2 Background: Scale of the Solar System 4 Activities 6 Resources for Exploring Our Solar System in General 52 E. Comets and Meteors Section E About the Activities 2 Background: Comets and Meteors 4 Activities 8 Resources for Exploring Comets, Meteors, and Meteorites 32 Resources for Exploring Cosmic Impacts 36 F. Star-Finding and Constellations Section F About the Activities 2 Background: Star-Finding and Constellations 4 Activities 6 Resources for Exploring Constellations and Night Sky Observing 56 G. Stars Section G About the Activities 2 Background: Stars 4 Activities 8 Resources for Exploring the Life Story of the Stars 38 H. Galaxies and the Universe Section H About the Activities 2 Background: Galaxies and the Universe 4 Activities 6 Resources for Exploring Galaxies 50 Resources for Exploring the Big Bang and the Expansion of the Universe 52 I. Space