Teacher resources & Lesson Ideas

To support your astronomy curriculum, check out the following Websites for science project ideas, lesson plans, and more. Note, while Spaced Out: A Cosmic Scene provides links to these web-based resources that we feel are appropriate, we cannot guarantee that all the content presented in these web resources is scientifically accurate. As an educator it is your responsibility to verify the accuracy of all resources used with your students.

History of Astronomy Resources

Brief but complete overview of Western Astronomy -
http://cass.ucsd.edu/public/tutorial/History.html

This site provides some of the astronomers -
http://www.astronomynotes.com/history/s1.htm

Ancient astronomy, including many cultures - VERY GOOD SITE!
www.astronomy.pomona.edu/archeo/

People in the history of astronomy -
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/the_universe/uts/ast_history.html

History of Astronomy has information about ancient (Babylonian, Greek, Egyptian …), European, and Modern. There is also a section on ancient calendars. This educational resource forms part of a larger site entitled Journey Through the Galaxy created by students at Case Western Reserve University.
http://filer.case.edu/~sjr16/advanced/pre20th_ancients.html

A Timeline of Events and Figures in Astronomy, from 13,000 BC to Present - The author includes comments, and also non-astronomy events that put the main timeline into context. This page forms part of the larger, “From Stargazers to Starships” educational resource, written by David P Stern and aimed at pre-university students. The site is also available in Spanish, French and Italian.
http://www.phy6.org/stargaze/Stimelin.htm

Women as Astronomers -
http://www.astrosociety.org/education/resources/womenast_bib.html#2

Distinguished Women Astronomers of Past and Present-
http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/subject/astrono.html

Ptolemy -
http://space.about.com/cs/astronomerbios/a/ptolemybio.htm

Copernicus -
http://encarta.msn.com/media_461565039_761571204_-1_1/Copernican_System.html

Galileo -
http://encarta.msn.com/media_461555571_761557587_-1_1/Galileo.html

Galileo Drawings Compared to Actual Images - great resource to study scale drawing and comparison of size and arc seconds.
http://www.pacifier.com/~tpope/Photo_Drawing_Comparison_Page.htm#Venus

Johannes Kepler -
http://encarta.msn.com/media_461515534_761563622_-1_1/Johannes_Kepler.html

Bringing in the Math of Ellipses - orbits of the planets are ellipses…a review a few basic properties of ellipses http://www.astronomynotes.com/history/s7.htm

Motion of the Planets – explanation and animations showing direct and retrograde motion. Links with Episode 7 and Kepler’s laws on the motion of planets. An overview with nice moving diagrams of the retrograde motion
http://www.opencourse.info/astronomy/introduction/05.motion_planets/

Kepler’s Law of Planetary Motion with Equation and Applet of Ellipse - http://www.drennon.org/science/kepler.htm

History of Astronomy - (much has been taken from this resource as background info for the Episode 7 video). http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761572208/astronomy_history_of.html

Our Earth moves, why doesn’t anyone believe me?
http://imagerecon.com/ayahil/FA07AST101/chapter03/mars_retrograde_motion.htm

This site provides a video depicting what Copernicus viewed on the retrograde motion of Mars and concluded that Earth is moving.

Explanation of retrograde motion taken from http://www.answers.com/topic/prograde-and-retrograde-motion

In astronomy, retrograde is the actual or apparent motion of a body in a direction opposite to that of the predominant (direct or prograde) motions of similar bodies. Observationally and historically, retrograde motion refers to the apparent reversal of the planets' motion through the stars for several months in each synodic period. This required a complex explanation in Earth-centered models of the universe (see Ptolemy) but was naturally explained in heliocentric models (see Copernican system) by the apparent motion as Earth passed by a planet in its orbit. It is now known that nearly all bodies in the solar system revolve and rotate in the same counterclockwise direction as viewed from a position in space above Earth's North Pole. This common direction probably arose during the formation of the solar nebula. The relatively few objects with clockwise motions (e.g., the rotation of Venus, Uranus, and Pluto) are also described as retrograde.

Applet and Explanation of Retrograde Motion - use of sun, Earth, Mars and background stars http://www.flex.com/~jai/astrology/retrograde.html

Kinesthetic Astronomy – experiential lessons in basic astronomy for grades 6 and up.
http://www.spacescience.org/education/instructional_materials.html

Scientific Hypothesis, Theory, Law Definitions - http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistry101/a/lawtheory.htm

Astronomy Resources

GLOBE at Night – http://www.globe.gov/GaN/
Find easy-to-follow instructions for participating in this project at this site, where students can also record their observations of the night sky. Prior to the star-hunting event, students can log on to learn about Orion's role in Greek mythology, star magnitude, and other topics.

International Year of Astronomy 2009 – http://www.globe.gov/GaN/
A list of global projects designed to promote awareness of astronomy and dark skies. Some activities are too advanced for elementary school students.

The GLOBE Program – http://www.globe.gov/r
Abundant resources for integrating related lessons about such topics as atmosphere and climate, clouds, and hydrology.

400 Years of the Telescope – http://www.400years.org/
Information about a new documentary that follows astronomical discoveries starting from Galileo's first peek through the telescope. The site offers a viewing schedule and "Profiles in Astronomy" that may serve as excellent bases for history lessons.

Hands-On Optics – http://www.hands-on-optics.org/home/
Six modules for teaching about optics. Lessons range from studies of lasers to magnification and communicating with light.

The International Dark-Sky Association – viewing the night sky and the importance of darkness for biological growth. Lessons on the solar system and the effects of light pollution on wildlife, as well as science, writing, and art projects for students ages 7-12. http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do

This site even offers suggestions for a ‘Star Party’ with your students http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=56428&orgId=idsa

National Optical Astronomy Observatory http://www.noao.edu/ with a link to educational applications http://www.noao.edu/education/
NOAO is engaged in programs to develop the next generation of telescopes, instruments, and software tools necessary to enable exploration and investigation through the observable Universe, from planets orbiting other stars to the most distant galaxies in the Universe.

Sun As a Star: Science Learning Activities for Afterschool - The Sun As a Star activities teach concepts related to the sun with opportunities for the students to investigate each idea. Most of the nine sequential activities can be completed in about one hour.

Here you can download a 37-page teacher resource guide, which suggests 9 activities you can do with your students, many of these activities support information presented in Spaced Out: A Cosmic Scene episodes.