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Stellarium/Activity: Difference between revisions

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What do they see? Where's the sun? the moon? Ask students how they would
What do they see? Where's the sun? the moon? Ask students how they would
describe the shape of the moon. Have they noticed that the moon isn't always the
describe the shape of the moon. Have they noticed that the moon isn't always the
same shape in the sky? '''''<nowiki>[</nowiki>'''If appropriate, discuss VERY briefly the idea of moon''
same shape in the sky? '''''<nowiki>[</nowiki>'''If appropriate, discuss very briefly the idea of moon''
''phases being due to the changing positions of the earth, moon, and sun.''']'''''
''phases being due to the changing positions of the earth, moon, and sun.''']'''''


B) Do they see anything they think is a planet? How can we tell if
B) Do they see anything they think is a planet? How can we tell if
we're looking at a star or a planet? Inform students that planets are often a
we're looking at a star or a planet? Inform students that planets are often a
slightly different color than the stars in the sky and lie on or near a line called the
slightly different colour than the stars in the sky and lie on or near a line called the
ecliptic ''<nowiki>[display ecliptic]. </nowiki>''Give students a few seconds to look for planets, then
ecliptic ''<nowiki>[display ecliptic]. </nowiki>''Give students a few seconds to look for planets, then
turn on planet labels. Select and zoom in on all visible planets. Share one or two interesting facts about each planet when you are zoomed in.
turn on planet labels. Select and zoom in on all visible planets. Share one or two interesting facts about each planet when you are zoomed in.
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Be sure to emphasize that Mercury and the other planets, including
Be sure to emphasize that Mercury and the other planets, including
Earth, are simply rotating on their axes and orbiting the sun. However, as Earth
the Earth, are simply rotating on their axes and orbiting the sun. However, as the Earth
rotates and revolves and the other planets rotate and revolve, we can end up
rotates and revolves and the other planets rotate and revolve, we can end up
noticing some strange patterns, like the one that Mercury made. Briefly discuss
noticing some strange patterns, like the one that Mercury made. Briefly discuss
how long it takes for Earth to make one trip around the sun, then how long it
how long it takes for the Earth to make one trip around the sun, then how long it
takes for two or three of the other planets to make one trip around the sun.
takes for two or three of the other planets to make one trip around the sun.
Run the Solar System View local script to show the planets orbiting the sun.
Run the Solar System View local script to show the planets orbiting the sun.