Last day with computers to work on lunar motion and phases presentation. Take a look at this neat project done by student teaching assistant Steph S. Note the first photo shows the constellation as seen from Earth. The second photos shows the “side” view and the third photo shows the top of the box and the actual distances from Earth. Could you have guessed what it is?
Planetarium time to review the constellations, star names, celestial coordinates, and the HR diagram. The planetarium was set for the North Pole, the equator, and a southern hemisphere location to see how different the night sky appears. BIG TEST on Monday 3-14.
Students created a human model of how we view stars and determine distances using parallax. Although the weather was too cold to go outside, these photos from last fall show how this works. Sky domes can be punched up to and including Capricorn. Students also reviewed all of the constellations and were given an extra credit assignment (flashcards). Smartboard notes 3-7-11
In the planetarium we finished up the constellations with Sagittarius and Capricorn. We reviewed all 24 constellations and the celestial coordinate system. The practice dot-to-dot of the Spring Summer Sky seen below is available here. For x-credit bring an unsharpened pencil to class on Thursday.
In the planetarium today to work on constellations Bootes (Arcturus), Libra, and Scorpio (Antares). We reviewed the previous constellations and a number of HR diagrams were presented. The celestial coordinates should make more sense now! The March Sky Calendar was handed out. The Abrams Planetarium Sky notes are available here.
Students finished the celestial sphere activity and started the star map homework (due Mon 2-28). The star map is a two dimensional representation of the 3D celestial sphere.
Student finished the notes on the celestial coordinates and began the activity with the celestial spheres. Right ascension and declination were used to find stars. The sun was set for 2-24 and the apparent motion of the sun was observed (rising in the east, setting in the west and tracking across the southern sky). It became clear to students why some constellations were circumpolar (Ursa Major) some rose and set (Lyra) and others were not visible from York at any time of day or season (Crux). Students learned to position the celestial sphere for another latitude (Mexico City). New vocabulary includes zenith, nadir, and ecliptic. Smartboard notes 2-24-11
What do the blue lines represent?
In the planetarium today to finish the winter sky constellation. Student should be able to locate Orion, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Taurus, Auriga, and Gemini. A Fall/Winter practice sheet was provided. If you need another one, go to the Astronomy moodle (enrolment key – rockstar). Can you find all of the winter constellations in the image below? There will be a short quiz on Tuesday 2-22-11 on the constellations up to Andromeda, HR diagram and star basics. Bring two cut out paper circles to class on Thursday 2-24-11 that show the relative size difference between our Sun and Betelgeuse (for x-credit). You may find the HR Diagram Explorer from 2-11-11 helpful.
Day to catch up on unfinished activities. Mac cart unexpectedly available, so . . . (1) Stellarium activity p.3 (2) complete Sky Domes (3) HR Diagram Explorer activity (4) notes on new constellations from Sky Guide (5) punch holes in dome for new constellations. Items 1-3 are most important. Can you connect the dots to form 10 more constellations and name them? Print out this page by going to 2-14-11.
Class was held in the planetarium today where we started the winter sky constellations. A review of the first 11 constellation was done with a dot-to-dot diagram. Notes on stars in general were started and we then added Orion (with Betelgeuse and Rigel), Canis Major (with Sirius) Canis Minor (with Procyon), and Taurus (with Aldebaran and The Pleiades). What group of stars is shown below? What car company is this?
