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Aims
Pupils should be able to define a galaxy, know the position of our Sun in the Galaxy, know that there are many galaxies in the Universe, know about the formation and evolution of stars, know a theory about the evolution of the Universe (Nat Curr KS4 - Physical Processes 4 - The Earth and Beyond).
Introduction
This project is aimed at pupils working late in KS4.
Astronomers now have extensive and detailed knowledge of stars, galaxies and the Universe. For most objects in space, basic information on mass, distance from the Earth and luminosity are well known, as well as the physical processes that govern the burning, orbits and eventual deaths of the stars.
Less well understood are the processes that lead to the creation of stars from nebulae and interstellar dust, the evolution of the Universe as a whole and the formation of stars with planetary systems, though theories abound. There are also many problems associated with stars of nearly all types which change their brightness, such as pulsars, and the extremely distant and bright star like objects, known as Quasars
This project aims to provide pupils with an introduction to the study of astronomy, the knowledge required by the National Curriculum and to stimulate their interest in some of the problems astronomers think about. There is the opportunity to conduct an observing project using the BRADFORD ROBOTIC TELESCOPE.
Lesson
Astronomy is the study of the stars : probably the most ancient science. Modern astronomers know a surprising amount about most stars : distance away, temperature, mass, size and motion.
Stars nearly always occur in clusters or galaxies (in fact, galaxies also occur in clusters) and pupils should obtain images of one of these using the Robotic Telescope. The NASA database contains a huge amount of information and some photographic images of star clusters, nebulae and galaxies.
Time
This project should take 4 to 5 hours of lesson time.
