Astronomy

Course Description

This course offers an exploration of astronomy, focusing on the laws of planetary motion and the technologies used for astronomical observations, such as modern telescopes and space missions. Students will study celestial bodies in our Solar System, including Earth, the Sun, and the Moon, while learning to classify various astronomical objects. The curriculum also covers the structures and dynamics of stars, galaxies, and superclusters, along with concepts related to dark matter and the origins of the universe, aiming to enhance understanding of the universe’s composition and governing principles.

The Earth, Moon, and Sun

Learn this: I will learn about Earth’s rotation, revolution, and magnetic field, the layers of the sun, solar energy and phenomena, the features and phases of the Moon, tides, and eclipses.

Do this: I will create a project that demonstrates that I know how to:

Analyze Earth's tilt and seasonal cycles by demonstrating the positions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres relative to the Sun during each season.
Explore solar phenomena and explain how the earth protects itself from harmful radiation coming from the sun.
Design a demonstration or a poster that visually explains the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun that enables us to see eclipses and lunar phases.

Grow from: After I get feedback, I'll make my project even better to show what I've learned.

Celestial Bodies

Learn this: I will learn about the formation of the planets in our solar system, their unique characteristics, space missions that helped us learn about them, and smaller celestial bodies like asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.

Do this: I will create a project that demonstrates what I have learned and includes this information:

Build a scale model of the solar system to demonstrate the relative sizes and distances of planets around the sun.
Create visuals, diagrams, and concise descriptions to highlight unique aspects of each planet including planet formation, size, composition, atmosphere, orbital characteristics, and notable features.
Compare and contrast between asteroids, meteoroids, comets, and other types of rocks or bodies present in our Solar System and how they have influenced Earth’s history.

Grow from: After I get feedback, I'll make my project even better to show what I've learned.

Stars

Learn this: I will learn about where and how stars are created, different types of stars, factors that influence their life cycle, blackholes, constellations, and how to read an H-R diagram.

Do this: I will create a project that demonstrates that I know how to:

Select my favorite constellation and present its cultural significance and explain how one or more of its stars are classified on an H-R diagram.
Develop a visual timeline to illustrate the sequence of events in the lifecycle of stars that includes milestones from its formation in a nebula to its demise as a remnant like a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.
Conduct observations using binoculars of the dark and cloud free night sky and document visible constellations, meteor showers, and planets in written form or through astrophotography.

Grow from: After I get feedback, I'll make my project even better to show what I've learned.

Galaxies and Beyond

Learn this: I will learn about different types of galaxies, how they are formed, the Big Bang Theory, Hubble’s law, cosmic microwave background radiation, galaxy mergers and superclusters.

Do this: I will create a project that demonstrates that I know how to:

Analyze images of galaxies from telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope and create a visually appealing diagram that describes the classification of galaxies based on their shapes and structures and typical characteristics.
Explore galactic evolution over cosmic time and investigate galaxy mergers, interactions, and starburst events.
Apply the concept of redshift and cosmic microwave background radiation to the big bang theory to explain how we know the universe is expanding.

Grow from: After I get feedback, I'll make my project even better to show what I've learned.

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