Transcript Astronomy Without A Telescope For Year 11 Physics

Astronomy Without A Telescope
Activities For Year 11 Physics
“Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from
this world to another” - Plato (428 BC - 348 BC)
Paul Fitz-Gerald
Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School
STAV Physics Teacher’s Conference Feb. 15th 2008
Students are encouraged to think of
themselves as ancient astronomers.
Introductory Question Sheet
• explore student’s current understanding of
celestial movement in our solar system.
Sun Shadow Watching With A Simple Sundial
• What can be learnt from this activity?
• local midday
• geographical North/South line
• local magnetic declination
• local latitude
• Earth’s diameter via Eratosthenes
RMIT Eratosthenes Project 2008
Contact: Dr. Alex Merchant
[email protected]
Solar Scope
• watch the movement of a projected
image of the sun
Sidereal Scope
• measure the time it takes the Earth to rotate
once about its axis.
23 hrs 56 min 36 sec Mill Park Jan. 2008
23 hrs 56 min 27 sec Kinglake Jan. 2008
• choose a bright star near the celestial equator
for fastest angular motion.
Star Trail Photos
• camera pointed at celestial pole
• use the star trail photo to determine latitude
• length of photographic exposure
• time of shutter opening/closure
• use of R.A. & declination for star positions
Moon Observations
• extended period of observations
• geometry of S, M & E
motion
• length of lunar month
Astrowatch
• Simple daytime sundial
• Southern Cross time at night
References:
Electronic copies of all documents
Can be found on the DVD.
This includes scans of star
maps, star trails, map of Victoria,
sundial compass rose and articles
from the Physics Teacher.
My contact details:
[email protected]
9490-6254
[email protected]
http://web.aanet.com.au/starry
Thanks Steve!
Ph: 57861382