Star brightness and star distance: Difference between revisions

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|topic=Astronomy
|topic=Astronomy
|subject=Science
|subject=Science
|tagline=A slide presentation to explain how we measure the distance and brightness of stars.
|tagline=A slide presentation to explain how we measure the distance
and brightness of stars.
|image=Starsandbrightness0.png
|image=Starsandbrightness0.png
|resourcenumber= SC0035
|resourcenumber= SC0035
|Learning Objectives=  
|Learning Objectives=
* recall how star distances were calculated using parallax
* recall how star distances were calculated using parallax
* explain how Christian Huygens calculated the distance of the star Sirius
* explain how Christian Huygens calculated the distance of the star
Sirius
* explain how Huygens' assumptions led to an inaccurate calculation
* explain how Huygens' assumptions led to an inaccurate calculation
* how we use black body radiation to calculate the temperature of distant stars
* how we use black body radiation to calculate the temperature of
distant stars
|age=Secondary
|age=Secondary
|content=In the 17th century, Christian Huygens discovered how to estimate how far away a star is. He made a series of smaller holes in a screen facing the sun, until he estimated the light was the same intensity as the star Sirius. Huygens' results were surprisingly accurate, but still wrong. This lesson follows work where students learn how parallax can be used to calculate the distance of stars, though not all. Students often believe that the earlier scientists made foolish assumptions. This series of slides may inspire you to tell the remarkable story of how we measure stars. It may help you help students to  
|content=In the 17th century, Christian Huygens discovered how to
understand the amazing stretches of imagination needed to come up with those early hypotheses.  
estimate how far away a star is. He made a series of smaller holes in
The teacher explains his slides in an audio file. He also provides a link to an black body radiation tool.  
a screen facing the sun, until he estimated the light was the same
intensity as the star Sirius. Huygens' results were surprisingly
accurate, but still wrong. This lesson follows work where students
learn how parallax can be used to calculate the distance of stars,
though not all. Students often believe that the earlier scientists
made foolish assumptions. This series of slides may inspire you to
tell the remarkable story of how we measure stars. It may help you
help students to
understand the amazing stretches of imagination needed to come up with
those early hypotheses.
The teacher explains his slides in an audio file. He also provides a
link to an black body radiation tool.
|format=
|format=
|strategy=
|strategy=
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|other=
|other=
|resources=
|resources=
* Teacher's audio explanation of how the lesson was delivered [[media:CT - Star brightness voiceover.MP3]]
* Teacher's audio explanation of how the lesson was delivered
[[media:CT - Star brightness voiceover.MP3]]
The presentation has been converted to alternative formats:
The presentation has been converted to alternative formats:
* Smartboard notebook version [[File:10 - Star Brightness, Size and Distance.notebook]]
* Smartboard notebook version
* Powerpoint version:[[File:10 - Star Brightness, Size and Distance.pptx]]
[[File:10 - Star Brightness, Size and Distance.notebook]]
* Powerpoint
version:[[File:10 - Star Brightness, Size and Distance.pptx]]
* PDF version [File:Star brightness & distance.pdf]]
* PDF version [File:Star brightness & distance.pdf]]
* Link to Blackbody Radiation Applet http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/astronomy/applets/Blackbody/frame.html
* Link to Blackbody Radiation Applet
http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/astronomy/applets/Blackbody/frame.html
}}
}}

Revision as of 20:26, 26 September 2012

Astronomy - presentations
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This resource may not be final.

Starsandbrightness0.png
A slide presentation to explain how we measure the distance and brightness of stars.

Lesson idea. In the 17th century, Christian Huygens discovered how to estimate how far away a star is. He made a series of smaller holes in a screen facing the sun, until he estimated the light was the same intensity as the star Sirius. Huygens' results were surprisingly accurate, but still wrong. This lesson follows work where students learn how parallax can be used to calculate the distance of stars, though not all. Students often believe that the earlier scientists made foolish assumptions. This series of slides may inspire you to tell the remarkable story of how we measure stars. It may help you help students to understand the amazing stretches of imagination needed to come up with those early hypotheses. The teacher explains his slides in an audio file. He also provides a link to an black body radiation tool.

Teaching approach. Students are challenged to put aside ‘modern knowledge’ of astronomy and consider the position of Huygens in the 17th Century. This lesson uses a story and humour to draw students into a narrative and place them in a dialogue with Christiaan Huygens, a character from astronomy history. The lesson model is that of active note-making. Students are provided with mini-diagrams* around which they build up personalised notes about the lesson. Students must not take notes from the board but instead must use their creativity to develop their own notes. They are encouraged to use colour, image, symbols, humour and metaphor to lead them through a richer learning experience. Students need help in achieving this but soon catch onto the idea. They become more independent with taking notes and more attentive to the subject at hand. The resource would be used in a whole class setting although each chapter of the story focuses on small group discussion and feedback. The teacher keeps a clear focus to use open rather than closed questioning throughout.

  • Two sets of mini-diagrams can be printed to ensure that students have a shared visual resource on which they can build their memories. This is used by students as the centre-point of their notes. (edit)
Resource details
Title Star brightness and star distance
Topic
Teaching approach
Learning Objectives
  • recall how star distances were calculated using parallax
  • explain how Christian Huygens calculated the distance of the star

Sirius

  • explain how Huygens' assumptions led to an inaccurate calculation
  • how we use black body radiation to calculate the temperature of

distant stars

Format / structure
Subject
Age of students / grade
Table of contents
Additional Resources/material needed
Useful information
Related ORBIT Wiki Resources
Other (e.g. time frame)
Files and resources to view and download
  • Teacher's audio explanation of how the lesson was delivered

media:CT - Star brightness voiceover.MP3 The presentation has been converted to alternative formats:

  • Smartboard notebook version

File:10 - Star Brightness, Size and Distance.notebook

  • Powerpoint

version:File:10 - Star Brightness, Size and Distance.pptx

  • PDF version [File:Star brightness & distance.pdf]]
  • Link to Blackbody Radiation Applet

http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/astronomy/applets/Blackbody/frame.html

Acknowledgement
License

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