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Astronomy Unit Introduction: Big Bang Theory and Astronomy Vocabulary Topic: Astronomy Introduction Date: Astronomy Unit Day 1 of 12 (Tuesday February 22, 2011) Grade level: 9th/10th Subject: Earth Science Daily Question: What is astronomy? What is the Big Bang Theory? What are some terms that will help me understand astronomy? NSES: Earth and Space Science Content Standard C: As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of energy in the earth system; geochemical cycles; origin and evolution of the earth system; origin and evolution of the universe. SOL: ES.4 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of the Earth and the solar system. Key concepts include a) position of the Earth in the solar system; b) characteristics of the sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, and asteroids; and ES.14 The student will investigate and understand scientific concepts related to the origin and evolution of the universe. Key concepts include a) cosmology including the big bang theory. Procedures for Learning Experience Engagement: Journal quick write: What do you want to know about space? What interests you about astronomy? What experiences have you had involving astronomy? Guiding Questions Materials Evaluation Approx. Time What do students want to know about space? Journals/paper Writing utensil Responses will be collected and read (for teacher use in lesson planning) Quick write activities are graded for participation, 10 minutes What interests students about astronomy? What background knowledge are students bringing into this unit? Exploration: Astronomy vocabulary In teams of two, identify as many of the given terms as possible without using any resources. If you know a term, write down a definition, but if you don’t know the term don’t write anything. Highlight the words you and your partner did not know Using the online or paper textbook, provide a explanation of the rest of the terms Tell students to check the terms they are unsure of- go over gravity in depth gravity is attraction between two objects, not just a pull “down” often it takes a large object to be able to observe gravity gravity is force that holds objects in orbit How do we measure distance in the universe? completeness, and quality of thought Vocabulary worksheet Understanding of what Textbook important terms is necessary to understanding Computer astronomy? Highlighters Graded assignment 30 minutes (Terms will be graded for accuracy and completeness after gone over as a class) Explanation: Activity: use a balloon to model the expanding universe and explore the Big Bang Theory Prep students by saying “Scientists believe the universe originated from the instant expansion of an extremely dense, extremely small amount of matter, this theory is known as the Big Bang.” Explain that the universe started ridiculously small and is still expanding since it began expanding about 14 billion years ago. When was the universe formed? How was the universe formed? Balloon Marker Clip String Rulers Lab sheet Worksheet questions (graded for completeness and accuracy) 35 minutes (5 minutes for instructions/ demo, 20 for students to explore activity, 5 minutes of review) McDougal book Engagement Participation Involvement 20 minutes How is blowing up a balloon like our universe? What happens to the distance between objects as the “universe” (aka balloon) expands? Hand out Expanding Universe worksheets and go over directions verbally, demonstrating with a balloon Allow students to work through activity, circulating and offering help when needed Bring class together when majority have worked through the questions. Ask students to share their responses to “How does the balloon represent the universe?” and “Explain the Big Bang Theory in your own words” Extension: Ask students how scientists know that the universe is expanding Explain blueshift/redshift using document How do scientists know how the universe was formed? Document Camera camera to project a diagram of the color spectrum (p. 615 in McDougal book) scientists use an instrument called a spectroscope to analyze the spectrum of light emitted by stars. By analyzing and comparing these spectrum, scientists can determine how a star is moving spectroscopes use a prism to separate incoming light into its component wavelengths redshift: motion of a star away from earth causes the star’s spectral lines to shift towards the red end of the spectrum (shift towards longer wavelength = moving away) blueshift: when a star is moving towards Earth, its spectral lines shift toward the blue end of the spectrum (shift towards shorter wavelength = “squished” = moving towards) Have students pass around the spectroscope or take turns coming up to the front of the room to see how a spectroscope separates light Notes: Balloons must be latex free! How does a spectroscope help scientists understand how the universe was formed? What is Doppler shift? Spectroscope Students are likely to hold the idea that gravity is the force that pulls down- be sure to expand on this idea and be explicit that gravity is the force of “attraction” between two objects. We feel the pull “down” because Earth’s gravity is pulling us towards its center. Differentiation techniques: having students work at their own pace during vocabulary exercise and share/create knowledge with their desk partner. Partners will have been strategically arranged to create learning partnerships that benefit both partnerships, regardless of ability level. If students have special needs, partners can be arranged to meet these needs. Giving both written and verbal directions also helps students who have difficulty understanding directions. Name: _____________________________ Introduction to Astronomy Instructions: In teams of two, identify as many of the given terms as possible without using any resources. If you know a term, write down a definition, but if you don’t know the term don’t write anything. When you have defined all the words you do know, highlight the words you and your partner did not know. Then, using the online or paper textbook, provide a explanation of the rest of the terms. Gravity Star Orbit Solar system Newton Stellar Star Planet Satellite Astronomical Unit Light Year Name: _______________________ Expanding Universe Mini-Lab Materials: Balloon Sharpie marker String Ruler Data Table Pen/Pencil Clip Directions: A. Inflate the balloon until it is the size of your fist. Clip it shut with the mail clip so that air cannot escape. With the Sharpie, draw six small galaxies around your balloon and label them A through F. B. Use a string and a ruler to measure the distance from A to B, then A to C, then A to D, then A to E, and finally from A to F. Record these distances in your data table. C. Expand your universe by blowing a few puffs of air into it. Measure the distance from you’re a galaxy to each of the other galaxies. Record the distances in your data table. D. Repeat step C two more times. A to B Galaxy Distance (cm) A to C A to D A to E A to F 14 billion years ago (B) 8 billion years ago (C) 4 billion years ago (D) Present (D) E. Using a piece of graphing paper, draw a graph to represent your data. Think about the graph type and scale that would be most appropriate to fit your data. Make sure to include a title, label the axis, and a scale. F. Answer the following questions on the back of your graph: - Which distance changed the most? Which distance changed the least? - What does the balloon represent in this model? - Explain the theory of the Big Bang in your own words. Why is the universe expanding? Galaxies, Solar Systems, and Planets Topic: Galaxies and Solar Systems Date: Astronomy Unit Day 2 of 12 (Wednesday February 23, 2011) Grade level: 9th/10th Subject: Earth Science Daily Question: What are solar systems? What are galaxies? What are the differences between the two? NSES: Earth and Space Science Content Standard C: As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of energy in the earth system; geochemical cycles; origin and evolution of the earth system; origin and evolution of the universe. SOL: ES.3 The student will investigate and understand how to read and interpret maps, globes, models, charts, and imagery. Key concepts include b) maps (bathymetric, geologic, topographic, and weather) and star charts; ES.4 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of the Earth and the solar system. Key concepts include c) characteristics of the sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, and asteroids; and d) the history and contributions of the space program. ES.14 The student will investigate and understand scientific concepts related to the origin and evolution of the universe. Key concepts include b) the origin of stars and star systems; c) galaxies; and d) cosmology including the big bang theory. Guiding Questions Engagement: Show pictures of our solar system and galaxy Explain the difference between a galaxy and Materials Procedures for Learning Experience Evaluation What is a galaxy? Photos in PowerPoint Student Computer connected to projector participation Are there different types of Observation of Approx. Time 10 minutes a solar system (and that both are different from the term universe) Go over types of galaxies using photos (spiral, barred, elliptical, and irregulardetermined by shape) The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy, which is why in very dark skies we can see its bands Exploration: Show a blank sketch of the solar system and give worksheet with sketch on it to class. Have students provide names for as many objects as possible on their own. Have students provide answers for worksheets- project worksheet onto white board using the document camera and have students label the diagram on the white board Explain the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and that Pluto is considered a dwarf planet Go over planet names in order and give students memory device to remember planet order: My - Mercury Very - Venus Energetic - Earth Mother - Mars Just - Jupiter galaxies? engagement What is a solar system? What is a universe? What are the components of our solar system? Worksheet Worksheet (graded for completeness and accuracy) 10 minutes Served - Saturn Us - Uranus Nachos - Neptune Explanation and Extension: Hand out instruction sheet for Jigsaw activity and explain activity orally. Move students to the computer lab (or if you have reserved a laptop cart, distribute the laptops) Jigsaw activity to cover properties of each planet in this solar system: Independent (or small group) part 1 done in the computer lab help direct students to nineplanets.org or http://science.nationalgeographic. com/science/space/planets students may choose the program they use to make their biography, but Word or Publisher programs are the most intuitive choices What are the properties of each planet in our solar system? (defining features, atmosphere, solid/gas?, moons, color, rings, tectonics, volcanism, etc.) Computer lab/laptop cart with enough computers for the entire class, internet access, word processor, and ability to print http://nineplanets.org/ http://science.nationalgeographic .com/science/space/planets “biography of their planet” Guided notes 70 minutes: 25 of group research, 45 of sharing (5 minutes per planet) Guided notes sheet Return students to the classroom to complete part 2 (group share) Notes: Part 1 and part 2 groups determine by instructor in order to facilitate differentiation Have students complete their planet’s portion of the graphic organizer to ensure they have something to say during group share time. If time is running short, move activity on and have students complete “biography” for homework (offer opportunity to use computers during AEP or after school one day if students don’t have access to computers) Computer lab/laptop cart must be reserved far IN ADVANCE! Laptop cart may be preferable in order to cut down on transition time (although computer lab is just around the corner). If there aren’t enough computers, have students buddy up by expert planet assignment and become experts as a pair. Homework: 1 page typed description of your expert planet, to be completed individually. Include a picture (cannot exceed ¼ of the page). Let students know that they may work on the assignment during AEP if they wish (to help students who may not have home access to a computer or printer). Due at the end of the week (Friday). Name: ____________________ Mnemonic to remember planet order: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Directions for Solar System Jigsaw Activity My planet is: ___________________ Part 1: Individual Planet “biography” To fill out the organized notes about your planet, use http://nineplanets.org/ or http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/planets After you have your information, create a one page “biography” of your planet. The “biography” should be visually appealing and include: A title At least 1 picture Properties of the planet: composition (rock or gas?), climate, volcanism, presence of water or ice? atmosphere, color/appearance Information on the planet’s rings and moons (if your planet has them) Any other defining features or fun facts you think are important Each planet will have 2-3 students working on it. You may work with the other students assigned to your planet, but each student must hand in their own “biography.” When you are finished, print your biography to hand it in. Part 2: Group Share Class will be split into three groups of students. Each student will share what they learned about their planet with the group. Each member of the group should take notes on the other planets. Name: ________________________ Date: _______________ Our Solar System Notes Mercury Appearance: Atmosphere: Composition: Climate: Distinguishing Features (color, rings): Venus Mars Moons: Jupiter Moons: Saturn Moons: Uranus Moons: Neptune Moons: Pluto Moons: Star Light, Star Bright: Star Types and Stellar Evolution Topic: Stars Date: Astronomy Unit Day 3 of 12 (Thursday February 24, 2011) Grade level: 9th/10th Subject: Earth Science Daily Question: What are stars and how do they form/grow/die? NSES: Earth and Space Science Content Standard C: As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of energy in the earth system; geochemical cycles; origin and evolution of the earth system; origin and evolution of the universe. SOL: ES.4 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of the Earth and the solar system. Key concepts include e) characteristics of the sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, and asteroids; and ES.14 The student will investigate and understand scientific concepts related to the origin and evolution of the universe. Key concepts include e) nebulae; f) the origin of stars and star systems; g) stellar evolution; h) galaxies; and i) cosmology including the big bang theory. Procedures for Learning Experience Engagement: Show a star chart- have students tell you what they know about it (like if they know any constellations), then explain things they may have missed (such as scale, effect of seasons) Explain/hand out homework Guiding Questions Materials Evaluation Approx. Time What is a star chart? How is a star chart used? Star chart Student participation 25 minutes Document Camera Observation of engagement Exploration: Show image of the Sun’s life cycle- give a name to each life stage and explain how the Sun will change in size, etc. over time What do the phases of a star’s life look like? How does a star evolve? Hand out stellar evolution organizer/chart Go through chart using images in PowerPoint Use Hubble photos to go through the phases of stellar evolution Go over parts of a star (core especially) when talking about main sequence stars Have students get in groups of ~4-5 and create a poem, skit, song, rap, play etc. to demonstrate stellar evolution Presentations of creative explanation How is a star created? How does a star die? What is the life cycle of a star? Hubble pictures Stellar evolution organizer Computer with projector Student participation Observation of engagement Student presentations (participation) 35 minutes (15 minutes going over stellar evolution, 10 minutes of group work, 10 minutes of presentations) Do stars have “parts?” What is a creative way of explaining stellar evolution? Explanation: Explanation of Hertzsprung-Rrussell diagram Why are stars different colors? Uses a graph of temperature and luminosity to predict the type of star What is a star made of? Luminosity is the amount of electronmagnetic energy released by a body (a star) in a specific unit of time What is a HertzsprungRussell Diagram? Stars primarily made of Helium and Hydrogen- fusion reactions release energy we receive (luminosity- spectrum of energy) What is luminosity? Guided Notes Student participation Observation of engagement 15 minutes Extension: Cut and paste star types activity using organizer Give students stellar organizer without connections made. Have students cut out each box and instructed to practice recreating the organizer Once students have the correct order, they can either tape/glue them into place on a piece of paper or bring the pieces home in a Ziplock bag to study with later What is the life cycle of a star? Star Organizer Student participation Scissors Observation of engagement 15 minutes Tape or Glue Ziplock bags Notes: Homework: Give students a copy of a star chart similar to the one below to take home. Students should observe the night sky and take notes of their observations, including which constellations they saw, sky conditions, weather, etc. Due Day 7 of unit (unit review day). Name: ___________________ Stellar Evolution Organizer Nebula Protostar Main Sequence Supergiant Supernova Black Hole Giant White Dwarf Neutron Star Nova How Big is Big? A Tour of Outer Space Topic: Space structure and distance Date: Astronomy Unit Day 4 of 12 (Friday February 25, 2011) Grade level: 9th/10th Subject: Earth Science Daily Question: How is space organized/structured? How big is outer space? How far apart are planets and stars and galaxies, etc? NSES: Earth and Space Science Content Standard C: As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of energy in the earth system; geochemical cycles; origin and evolution of the earth system; origin and evolution of the universe. SOL: ES.4 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of the Earth and the solar system. Key concepts include f) position of the Earth in the solar system; g) sun-Earth-moon relationships (seasons, tides, and eclipses); h) characteristics of the sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, and asteroids; and i) the history and contributions of the space program. ES.14 The student will investigate and understand scientific concepts related to the origin and evolution of the universe. Key concepts include j) nebulae; k) galaxies; and l) cosmology including the big bang theory. Procedures for Learning Experience Engagement: Show beach ball and tennis ball- which is more like the earth? (the volleyball- the earth is so big we wouldn’t be able to see topography- the fuzz on a tennis ball- in a model that size) Ask students how big the universe is Guiding Questions Materials Evaluation Approx. Time Which is a better model for the earth: a tennis ball or a beach ball? Why? Beach ball Tennis ball Participation in class discussion 5 minutes Observation of engagement Explanation: Quick talk about how big the universe is Review how distance in space is measured Astronomical Unit Lightyear Exploration/Extension: Give each student a celestial body (sun, moon, planets, other solar systems)- multiple students can be part of the asteroid belt, Kuiper belt, comets, etc. Make sure everyone knows what their celestial body is (review difference between solar system, galaxy, and universe) Students given 3 minutes to create a sign for their object Take class outside to athletic fields and arrange students in a scale model of the universe. Begin with the sun, moon, and planets, then expand to other solar systems and galaxies Main point is that all the inner planets, moon, sun are very close together, while the outer planets are slightly further away, and everything else is VERY far away Make sure to choose kids you know will be able to handle going far away from you to be the outermost objects (choose kids that you don’t need to control with proximity) How is space distance measured? How big is the universe? White board Observation of engagement 10 minutes Student participation, involvement, and questions Distribution of celestial bodies/sign making: 10 minutes Dry Erase Markers What are the spatial Markers relationships between planets, the sun, and other Paper objects in the solar system? In the universe? Wide open space Travel to/from athletic fields: 5 minutes each way Activity: 45 minutes Review: 5 minutes If time, have students move in their orbital pattern or model the expanding universe by moving outward Return to the classroom with enough time left to talk about what students learned and answer any lingering questions that the activity may have inspired Weather is a major consideration for the football field solar system model activity- if the weather report is calling for rain, this lesson can be switched with other lessons (change the order of the unit) or can be done inside in a long hallway (however, this is not optimal because you don’t want to disrupt other classes). Students should be monitored for attendance- all students must be present at all parts of the lesson (outside and after returned inside). Students should be warned that they should use the bathroom before going outside, they won’t be able to leave the activity. Don’t leave the school campus or cross any major roads. Students may have a difficult time visualizing the spatial relationships between objects in space. In addition to kinesthetic learning (physically moving and making a human model), each student will be given a scale “map” of the universe to take notes on, label, etc., which will be especially helpful to visual learners. For other students, just seeing the numerical distances between objects will be helpful. Differentiation can also be done by thinking about student participation levels when assigning students their object. For example, a student who may be reluctant to participate may benefit from being the sun, a role that is critical to the rest of the activity. For an active student, a moving object (such as an asteroid or comet) may be best. If students can be managed and if they can handle the additional challenge, you can add motion to the activity by having each student move in the orbit of the object (the planets rotate around the sun, galaxies move away from each other to show the expanding universe, etc.) Distances from the sun if football field is the solar system: Mercury 1.2 yards Asteroid belt: between Venus 2.2 yards Mars and Jupiter (~10 Earth 3 yards yards) Moon 3 yards Jupiter 16 yards Mars 5 yards Saturn 29 yards Uranus 57 yards Neptune 90 yards Pluto 118 yards Kuiper belt: 120 yards Oort Cloud: 120 yards Other dwarf planets: 125 yards Hubble telescope: parking lot (moving) Nearest star not our own: edge of parking lot Nearest galaxy: edge of parking lot Nearest comet: edge of parking lot (moving) The Far Side of the Moon: Lunar Cycles and Moon Phases Topic: Earth’s Moon, Lunar Cycle, and Moon Phases Date: Astronomy Unit Day 5 of 12 (Monday February 28, 2011) Grade level: 9th/10th Subject: Earth Science Daily Question: Why does the moon “change shape” from night to night? How does the Moon move? Does the Moon have any impact on what happens on Earth? NSES: Earth and Space Science Content Standard C: As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of energy in the earth system; geochemical cycles; origin and evolution of the earth system; origin and evolution of the universe. SOL: ES.4 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of the Earth and the solar system. Key concepts include j) position of the Earth in the solar system; k) sun-Earth-moon relationships (seasons, tides, and eclipses); l) characteristics of the sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, and asteroids; Procedures for Learning Experience Guiding Questions Materials Evaluation Approx. Time Engagement: Moon landing video/story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMINSD7MmT4 “First Moon Landing 1969” What can scientists learn by going to the moon? YouTube Moon landing video Observation of engagement 5 minutes Talk about guiding questions: What can scientists learn by going to the moon? What is the relationship between Earth and the moon? Do other planets have moons? What is the relationship between Earth and the moon? Do other planets have moons? Computer with internet access Participation in classroom discussion Exploration: Use a flashlight and a ball to model moon phases and eclipses Have students help hold balls How does the position of the moon impact what phase of the moon we see? Why are there moon phases? Balls: tennis ball for the earth; marble for the moon; and a beach ball for the sun What are the phases of the moon? Lunar cycle notes What are the phases of the moon? Explanation: Illustrated lunar cycles notes Flashlight Observation of engagement 15 minutes Participation Involvement as volunteer to help during activity Observation of engagement 30 minutes Tides (with illustrations) Why are there moon phases? Participation Guided notes What causes tides? What types of tides are there? Extension: NASA Moon Survival activity What would help you survive on the moon? Activity worksheet Have students work in groups of 3, each gets one paper Explanation of ranking Observation of engagement Participation Notes: NASA Moon Survival Activity: http://www.earth2class.org/curr_units/astro%20labs.php 30 minutes NASA Moon Survival Space Crew Members: ________________________________________________________ Your space crew was originally scheduled to rendezvous with the mother ship on the lighted side of the moon. Due to mechanical difficulties, however, your ship was forced to land about 100 km from the planned rendezvous point. (But, still on the lighted side of the moon facing the Earth.) Fortunately, none of your crew were seriously injured. But, only a few items from your equipment store survived the rough landing. It is the task of your crew to select the most important items for your survival. Please make your decisions by group consensus. The 14 items below are all that survived the landing. Work in groups of two ore three students. Rank order these items from #1 for the most important item, to #14 for the least important object. And, in the spaces to the right of each item, explain your reason for needing or not needing each one. PRIORITY ITEM YOUR JUSTIFICATION a. _____ Box of matches _________________________________________________________ b. ____ Food concentrate _________________________________________________________ c. ____ 15 meters of nylon rope________________________________________________________ d. ____ 60 meters2 Parachute silk ______________________________________________________ e. ____ Portable heating unit_________________________________________________________ f. ____ Two .45 calibre pistols________________________________________________________ g. ____ One case of dehydrated milk____________________________________________________ h. ____ Two 50 kg tanks of oxygen ____________________________________________________ i. ____ Sky chart of constellations _____________________________________________________ j. ___ First aid kit _________________________________________________________________ k. ___ Solar powered receiver-transmitter _______________________________________________ l. ____ 20 liters of water ____________________________________________________________ m. ___ Life Raft for ocean landing _____________________________________________________ n. ____ Six signal flares _____________________________________________________________ Name: ______________________________ Lunar Cycle Notes When the sun and moon are not aligned, the gravitational forces cancel each other out, and the tides are not as dramatically high and low. These are called neap tides. When the sun and moon are aligned, there are exceptionally strong gravitational forces, causing very high and very low tides which are called spring tides, though they have nothing to do with the season. During NEW and FULL moons, there is a _________________ tide. During the FIRST and THIRD QUARTER, there is a _____________ tide. Put a CIRCLE around the phases with a NEAP TIDE. Put a SQUARE around the phases with a SPRING TIDE Rotation & Revolution Topic: Rotation & Revolution Date: Astronomy Unit Day 6 of 12 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011) Grade level: 9th/10th Subject: Earth Science Daily Question: How does the Earth and other objects move through space? What is the true shape of the Earth? NSES: Earth and Space Science Content Standard C: As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of energy in the earth system; geochemical cycles; origin and evolution of the earth system; origin and evolution of the universe. SOL: ES.2 The student will demonstrate scientific reasoning and logic by a) analyzing how science explains and predicts the interactions and dynamics of complex Earth systems; b) recognizing that evidence is required to evaluate hypotheses and explanations; c) comparing different scientific explanations for a set of observations about the Earth; d) explaining that observation and logic are essential for reaching a conclusion; and e) evaluating evidence for scientific theories. ES.4 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of the Earth and the solar system. Key concepts include m) position of the Earth in the solar system; n) sun-Earth-moon relationships (seasons, tides, and eclipses); o) characteristics of the sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, and asteroids Procedures for Learning Experience Engagement: NOVA Origins video “How the Earth was Made” http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/nova-origins/ Guiding Questions Materials Evaluation Approx. Time How was the earth made? Video Engagement 30 mintues Are there other planets like earth? Computer with internet access and Projector Exploration: Explain that the earth moves in two different ways: rotation and revolution What type of movement is rotation? Have students get up and go into the lobby outside of the classroom. Have each “draw an axis” through themselves and rotate on that axiseach student will spin in a circle while remaining in one spot. Have students repeat “I revolve on my axis.” Then, have students rotate around you, the sun. Have students say “I rotate around the sun” What type of movement is revolution? Go back in the classroom How can I remember which is which? Explanation: Talk about reason for seasons, time zones, and day and night. Which movement (rotation or revolution) causes each? Show and explain simulations: Seasons simulator: http://astro.unl.edu/naap/motion1/animations/seasons_ecliptic. html “Motion of the sun” (Rotation) Simulator http://astro.unl.edu/naap/motion3/animations/sunmotions.html How did the theory of how the earth moves originate? How do we know how the People perceive that the earth is large and stationary and that Earth moves through space? all other objects in the sky orbit around it. That perception History of the theory- show pictures of old dead guys, tell history like your are telling a story: What are the effects of rotation and revolution? was the basis for theories of how the universe is organized that prevailed from over 2,000 years. Prolemy, an Egyptian astronomer living in the second century A.D., devised a powerful mathematical model of the universe based on constant motion in perfect circles, and circles on circles. With the model, he was able to predict the motions of the sun, moon, and stars, and even of the Open space Participation in revolution/ rotation “dance” 10 minutes Computer with internet access and projector Engagement 20 minutes irregular “wandering stars” now called planets. In the 16th century, a Polish astronomer named Copernicus suggested that all those same motions could be explained by imagining that the earth was turning around once a day and orbiting around the sun once a year. This explanation was rejected by nearly everyone because it violated common sense and required the universe to be unbelievably large. Worse, it flew in the face of the belief, universally held at the time, that the earth was at the center of the universe. Johannes Kepler, a German astronomer who lived at about the same time as Galileo, showed mathematically that Copernicus’ idea of a sun-centered system worked well if uniform circular motion was replaced with uneven (but predictable) motion along off-center ellipses. Using the newly invented telescope to study the sky, Galileo made discoveries that supported the ideas of Copernicus. It was Galileo who found the moons of Jupiter, sunspots, craters and mountains on the moon, and many more stars than were visible to the unaided eye. Writing in Italian rather than in Latin (the language of scholars at the time), Galileo presented arguments for and against the two main views of the universe in a way that favored the newer view. That brought the issue to the educated people of the time and created political, religious, and scientific controversy. Extension: Explain that the Earth is not a perfectly round sphere: it’s true shape is an oblate spheroid, which is a sphere with bulges at the “sides” Students create their own “oblate spheroids” by cutting and gluing strips of paper, then rotating (spinning) them on their pencils to create bulges, an oblate spheroid What is the true shape of the earth? Why is the earth not a perfect sphere? Paper Scissors Glue Pencil Participation Creation of oblate spheroid 20 minutes