East Penn School District Secondary Curriculum A Planned Course Statement for Advanced Astronomy, C.P. Course # 422 Grade(s) 10, 11,12 Department: Science ength of Period (mins.) 40 Total Clock Hours: 120 Periods per Cycle: 6 ength of Course (yrs.) 1.0 Type of Offering: required elective Credit: 1.0 Adopted: 5/10/04 Developed by: Charlie Takacs
Description of Course Course Title: Advanced Astronomy, College Preparatory - # 422 Description: This course is designed for the college-bound students who desire a background in the physical sciences. Topics include: observational astronomy, physical laws of celestial motion, astrophysics, optics, general astronomy and cosmology. There will be a strong mathematical approach to the subject. Extensive use of the planetarium will be included. Goals: Identify the physical laws and principles governing the natural universe. Solve problems dealing with astronomical principles. Explain the inter-relationship of the development of astronomical knowledge and principles to the development of our modern society. Recognize the contributions of modern space technology in assessing and monitoring the changing earth environment. Utilize multimedia technology in class presentations of topics. Requirements: Prerequisite: Algebra II (C or better), or teacher/counselor approval Text: Arny, Thomas, Explorations: An Introduction to Astronomy, 3 rd edition, McGraw-Hill Publishing, 2003 Key to evels of Achievement (isted with each learning objective) Awareness (A): earning (): Understanding (U): Reinforcement (R): Students are introduced to concepts, forms, and patterns. Students are involved in a sequence of steps and practice activities which involved further development and allow evaluation of process. Students demonstrate ability to apply acquired concepts and skills to individual assignments and projects on an independent level. Students maintain and broaden understanding of concepts and skills to accomplish tasks at a greater level of sophistication.
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 1 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard Introduction to Astronomy 1 Students will recognize the mechanism of scientific method and differentiate between science and pseudoscience. 2 Students will compare the time elapsed from the Big Bang to the amount of time man has inhabited the earth. 3 Students will list and identify the various components of the universe in order of size and distance. Use inquiry experiment/demonstration to illustrate scientific method Use essay writing exercise ET Tabloid to show difference between science and pseudoscience Do report on Ockham s Razor Students will participate in Walk- Through-Time exercise Use Cosmic Journey and Here to Infinity videos Use worksheet and PowerPoint to illustrate distance and size 3.1.10 B 3.1.10 B
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 2 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 4 Students will solve problems concerning angular measurement, angular separation, scientific notation, ratios, graphical analysis, algebraic formula review, and trigonometric functions. 5 Students will demonstrate ability to use simple sighting devices to measure and record angles on the celestial sphere. Archaeo-astronomy 6 Through the use of models, Students will describe and compare the keeping and utilization of time by astronomers. R Use lab investigation Mathematics and Astronomy and Angular Measurement Do outdoor exercise in angular measurement using quadrant Build working astrolabe and use to measure angles Use lab investigation Horizon System Do planetarium exercise on Horizon System Big Dipper altitude and azimuth Students will create a sundial to illustrate earth motion and timekeeping View video Understanding Time Students will learn to figure solar noon and the use of the analemma 3.1.10 B
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 3 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard Historical Astronomy 7 Students will identify and distinguish the seasonal changes taking place in the sky as the result of earth motions. 8 Students will list and identify the contributions of the early astronomers to the development of the geocentric & heliocentric theory of the universe. A Students will use planetarium to discover the track of the sun for the seasons Students will construct celestial sphere diagrams based on their observations Students will use the solar motion demonstrators to understand seasons throughout the world Students will role play the lives of selected astronomers to enhance their understanding of astronomical thinking 3.1.10 B 9 Students will list and identify the contribution of modern astronomers to the development of contemporary astronomical concepts. A Students will role play the lives of selected astronomers to enhance their understanding of astronomical thinking
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 4 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard Observational Techniques 10 Students will use star charts, star finders, astronomical ephemeris, and star globes to locate objects on the celestial sphere. 11 Students will name, locate, and describe at least 35 constellations delineating those with deep sky objects, asterisms, and major stars. 12 Students will locate and describe the position of celestial objects using both the horizon and equatorial systems. R R Students will do lab investigation Use of the Starfinder Using the astronomical ephemeris, star charts, and star globes, students will learn the Equatorial System method of locating celestial objects Students will engage in a report and teach exercise a class presentation on selected constellations using the planetarium facilities Students will do lab exercise on Horizon & Equatorial Systems Students will demonstrate proficiency by applying this knowledge to construction of Celestial Sphere diagrams Students will do exercise on Sidereal time and interpret celestial sphere diagram problems
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 5 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 13 Students will identify and differentiate between the various types of telescopes used in astronomical observation. 14 Students will solve problems defining the physical characteristics of telescopes. 15 Students will identify and locate major observatories across the world. A A Students will learn by using the Exercise Telescopes the different types of telescope Students will create a Telescope Catalog Students will do problems in lightgathering power, resolution, focal ratio, and magnification Students will learn the location of observatories and the instruments they contain
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 6 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 16 Students be able to use the 35mm camera and digital equipment to produce astro-photos. Solar System 17 Students will demonstrate proficiency with Bode s aw. 18 Students will identify and differentiate between the different theories of the origin of the solar system and planetary evolution. R A Students will learn to operate and use the 35mm camera Students will learn to use and operate a digital camera to take pictures of sky objects Students will determine Bode s aw based on minimal data and see how it applies to a knowledge of distances in the solar system A Students will view video and PowerPoint exercise to gain a background in solar system evolution Students will create a ten picture captioned explanation of the origin of the solar system
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 7 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 19 Students will identify the characteristics of both earth and moon and describe their motions and interaction. 20 Students will name and describe the planetary configurations and locate the planets on a drawing of the celestial sphere. 21 Students will apply the planets observed motion and Kepler s aws of Planetary Motion to the mathematical analysis and construction of planetary orbital diagrams. A Students will learn of the features of the earth including interior, tectonics, atmosphere, composition and origin Students will learn of the moon including surface features, composition, exploration, and evolution Students will understand the phases of the moon Students will do the exercise Planetary Configurations to learn about the aspects of the planetary positions Students will construct celestial sphere diagrams illustrating the positioning of planets in the sky R Students will view video on the life of Kepler and the derivation of his laws Students will physically draw ellipses and work problems concerning their eccentricities Students will construct and interpret orbits using the knowledge acquired
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 8 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 22 Students will identify and relate the properties the planets have in common, and those that are unique to that planet. 23 Students will verify mathematical planetary data through graphical construction and analysis. 24 Students will describe the following about comets, meteors, and asteroids - Discovery - Orbits - Physical characteristics - Origin Students will use a planetary data sheet to interpret information about the individual planets Students will compare and contrast planetary features, U Students will take planetary characteristics and do exercise on Classifying Planets Students will do an exercise investigation on meteors, asteroids, and comets Students will view video and PowerPoint illustrating concepts
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 9 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard The Sun 25 Students will identify characteristics and basic structure of the sun. 26 Students will be able to solve pressure, temperature, and density problems in an analysis of the interior of the sun. 27 Students will solve fusion analysis problems to understand the nuclear processes in the sun. A, Students will make and label a cross-section and surface feature map of the sun Students will do lab investigation The Sun Students will view a PowerPoint video presentation of The Sun Students will do teacher assigned problems concerning the sun Students will do teacher assigned problems concerning the sun
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 10 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 28 Students will identify the environmental effects of solar radiation on the earth. Star 29 Students will explain stellar parallax, and using trigonometry, calculate the distance to stars. 30 Students will calculate stellar magnitudes and describe the brightness of stars in terms of distance and luminosity. Students will view PowerPoint and video on Aurora Demonstrate parallax and how we can find distances on earth Do problems in trig to show use of sine, cosine, and tangent Do lab investigation Distances to Stars Parallax Use planetarium to illustrate magnitude and do magnitude estimates Go home and estimate using real stars Do lab investigation on magnitudes and magnitude ratio and its application to the distance/magnitude concept
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 11 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 31 Students will list and describe the various types of binary stars from light-curve graphs and explain their use in stellar mass calculations. 32 Students will distinguish between different spectra, identify the elements from those spectra, and relate this information to the identification of stellar spectra types. 33 Students will use wavelength and frequency calculations to analyze the composition and temperature of stars. A ab investigation on Types of Stars ocate different types of stars in planetarium sky Do lab exercise on Spectra Use diffraction grating spectroscopes to distinguish identities of elements Students will calculate energy of stars using investigative problems and solutions
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 12 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 34 Students will interpret the Hertzprung-Russell Diagram through graphical and mathematical analysis. 35 Students will interpret the Hertzprung-Russell Diagram through graphical and mathematical analysis. 36 Students will trace the evolution of a star through the graphical/mathematical analysis of the Hertzprung-Russell diagram. U U Students will construct an HR diagram based on information learned about absolute magnitude and spectral classes Students will construct an HR diagram based on information learned about absolute magnitude and spectral classes Students will use lab investigation The Hertzprung-Russell Diagram
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 13 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 37 Students will analyze the Hertztprung-Russell Diagram to show that large mass stars take a evolutionary path which produces such objects as nova, supernova, neutron stars and black holes. Galaxies 38 Students will identify and distinguish between stellar populations, nebula and star clusters. 39 Students will be able list and identify from a drawing the components of the Milky Way galaxy and explain its structure. R Students will read and research material on the end of a stars life Students will recreate a stars life by role-playing Students will complete labinvestigation The ife Cycle of a Star A, Use lab investigations entitled Nebula & Star Clusters to show differences. Use PowerPoint to distinguish visually Read Chapter on Milky Way Do lab investigation on The Galaxies Use Galaxy Cards to classify galaxies
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 14 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 40 Students will determine the structure of the Milky Way Galaxy through interpretation of data derived from Cepheid variables and spectral analysis. 41 Students will be able distinguish between, compare and contrast the four different galaxy types: - Spirals Regular/Barred - Elliptical - Irregular Cosmology 42 Students will describe the evolutionary theory of the origin of the universe through the interpretation of graphs and data showing various cosmological theories. U/ U A Using the lab investigation, the students will analyze and compute how distances to galaxies are derived Use galaxy card exercise and lab investigation The Galaxies to learn galactic classification Students will utilize galactic distance and Doppler shift data to illustrate proof of expansion of the universe
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 15 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 43 Students will delineate the biotic and abiotic components necessary for the evolution of life in the universe. 44 Students will use the Drake Equation to determine the mathematical probability of finding and searching for extraterrestrial life and civilizations. The Space Program 45 Students will list and place in chronological order the events in the history of space flight up to the present day. A Students will read and interpret data dealing with life in the universe both biotic and abiotic Students will use lab investigations to learn about the use of probability in the search for extraterrestrial life Students will view video and use the Internet to research the history of spaceflight
Course Objectives - Science Advanced Astronomy, CP Page 16 Unit Num Objective evel Content Evaluation Standard 46 Students will identify the problems associated with living and working in space. 47 Students will demonstrate proficiency in the calculation of problems related to rockets and spaceflight. R R Students will create a simulated space environment to learn about living in space Students will do a rocket launch to learn about the principals of rocket flight