Astronomy

Course Essential Questions:

• How has the universe changed over time?
• How do astronomical principles impact our lives and relative positions in the universe?
• What is the significance of categorizing celestial objects in space?
• How does our Sun compare to other stars?

Course Learning Objectives:

• Explain the relationship between the Earth, Sun & Moon and its impact on our daily lives.
• Identify the major contributions of important scientists in the development of modern theories in astronomy.
• Explain common theories about the origin of the universe and solar system, and describe the evidence that supports these theories.
• Classify stars and planets according to their properties.
• Compare the motion of celestial objects in space, and analyze their interactions.

Unit 1: History of Astronomy (Weeks 1-3)

Unit Description: This is a 3-week unit designed to introduce students to the science of astronomy. Students will learn about the tools used by astronomers that allowed them to transform our understanding of the universe.

Unit Essential Question:

• How has the Universe changed over time?
• How do astronomical principles impact our lives and our relative position in the universe?

Week 1: Tools of an Astronomer

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Compare and contrast the different types of telescopes.
• Practice using course resources to be used throughout this course.
• Research a famous astronomer and identify their contributions to science.

Week 2: Astronomy, not Astrology

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Describe the evidence used to determine the various solar system models.
• Explain the differences between astronomy and astrology.
• Discuss the usefulness of constellations.
• Identify features of the night sky.
• Describe the contributions of a famous astronomer.

Week 3: Geocentric vs. Heliocentric

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Discuss contributions of famous astronomers
• Explain how gravity and planetary orbits are connected
• Conduct a lab to demonstrate parallax.
• Identify features of the night sky.

Unit 2: Earth - Sun - Moon Relationship (Weeks 4-5)

Unit Description: This is a 2-week unit designed to demonstrate Earth’s relationship between the Sun and the moon. Students will learn about the influence the Sun and moon have on everyday life.

Unit Essential Question:

How do astronomical principles impact our lives and relative positions in the universe?

Week 4: Earth & Celestial Sphere

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Analyze evidence to support the shape of the Earth.
• Explain how scientists utilize the sky for navigational purposes.
• Illustrate and label the various lunar phases.
• Identify features of the night sky.

Week 5: The Moon & Sun

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the significance of space travel.
• Illustrate and label the various lunar phases.
• Describe the different types of eclipses and explain why eclipses are not seen more often.
• Describe how the motion of the moon influences Earth’s tides.
• Work together to research and describe a famous space mission.
• Identify features of the night sky.

Unit 3: Solar System (Weeks 6-9)

Unit Description: This is a 4-week unit designed to explore the solar system. Students will learn about the motion of celestial objects through the application of Kepler’s Laws of Planetary motion. Students will explore the planets, comets, and asteroids within the solar system to determine Pluto’s place in the solar system.

Unit Essential Questions:

• What is the significance of categorizing celestial objects in space?

Week 6: Introduction to Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion & Formation of the Solar System

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Research benefits and drawbacks to coloizing another planet and argue if it's worth it.
• Apply Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion.
• Compare and contrast the different theories for the formation of the solar system.
• Compare and contrast the different objects in our solar system.
• Work together to present a famous space mission.
• Identify features of the night sky.

Week 7: Terrestrial Planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth & Mars)

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Investigate and discuss the benefits of mining asteroids for natural resources.
• Compare and contrast the different objects in our solar system.
• Perform calculations involving the speed of light.
• Identify features of our night sky.
• Work as part of a team to research and present about one planet.

Week 8: Jovian Planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune)

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Discuss and provide evidence to support our opinions about extraterrestrial life.
• Compare and contrast the different theories for the formation of the solar system.
• Compare and contrast the different objects in our solar system.
• Identify features of our night sky.
• Work as part of a team to research and present about one planet.

Week 9: Pluto & Other Solar System Debris

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Apply Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion.
• Compare and contrast the different theories for the formation of the solar system.
• Argue the definition of a planet as it pertains to Pluto.
• Compare and contrast the different objects in our solar system.
• Identify features of our night sky.
• Work as part of a team to research and present about one planet.

Unit 4: The Stars & Our Sun (Weeks 10-12)

Unit Description: This is a 3-week unit exploring the classification, life, and death of stars. Students will learn how temperature and mass determine a star's classifications, and how that classification determines the star's life cycle. Students will then apply that knowledge to our sun to determine its fate.

Unit Essential Questions:

• How does our Sun compare to other stars?

Week 10: Stellar Classification

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Classify stars based upon temperature, color, diameter, and mass.
• Plot stars on the H-R diagram using temperature and luminosity.
• Identify features of our night sky.
• Work as part of a team to research and present about one planet.

Week 11: Our Sun

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Classify stars based on temperature, color, diameter, and mass.
• Plot stars on the H-R diagram using temperature and luminosity.
• Explain the life cycle of our Sun.
• Identify features of our night sky.
• Investigate and discuss astronomy-related careers.

Week 12:The Fate of the Sun

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Classify stars based upon temperature, color, diameter, and mass.
• Explain the life cycle of our Sun.
• Identify features of our night sky.
• Compare solar power technology options.
• Analyze a movie for its ability to accurately depict astronomy-related information.

Unit 5: Our Galaxy & Beyond (Weeks 13-15)

Unit Description: This is a 3-week unit exploring galaxies, black holes, and the origin of the universe. Students will explore the features of the different galaxies and compare and contrast those features with our own galaxies. Students will learn about the origin and fate of our universe.

Unit Essential Questions:

• What is our place in the Universe, and how has it changed over time?
• How do astronomical principles impact our lives and our relative position in the universe?

Week 13: The Milky Way & Other Galaxies

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Describe the features of the milky way galaxy.
• Compare and contrast the different types of galaxies.
• Explain the accepted theory for the start of the universe.
• Analyze a movie for its ability to accurately depict astronomy-related information.
• Identify features of our night sky.

Week 14: Black Holes

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Compare and contrast the different types of galaxies.
• Explain how black holes function within the universe.
• Explain the accepted theory for the start of the universe.
• Analyze a movie for its ability to accurately depict astronomy-related information.
• Analyze the data to look for patterns in our weekly Sky Journal observations.

Week 15: Big Bang!

Weekly Learning Objectives:

• Reflect on our progress this year.
• Take a final exam encompassing the entire semester.
• Provide feedback about the course and your VHS Learning experience.
• Explain the accepted theory for the start of the universe.
• Analyze the data to look for patterns in our weekly Sky Journal observations.