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Basic Astronomy Using The Sloan Digital Sky Survey

Astronomy Citizen Science Projects - HS

NITARP Logo

NITARP, the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program, gets teachers involved in authentic astronomical research. 

They partner small groups of largely high school educators with a mentor professional astronomer for an original research project.

The information found in this cybrary (An online collection of reference material. A library that provides electronic access to reference material). is also found in the NITARP resources.  Enjoy the NITARP  cybrary!


Contributor:  Lynne Zielinski, NSS Education Director

Eclipse Natural Phenomena

Eclipse Natural Phenomena

Author:  Alice M. Hoffman, PE and  Prof. Thomas Hockey, ISU 

Standards: 

Summary:  This project will introduce some of the phenomena associated with eclipses that can be seen during the partial phases, and assist the student in the observation and recording of these phenomena:  Shadow bands, temperature changes, animal behavior, shadow cone, point source of light...

Electromagnetic Waves - A Sea of Information

Written by: Kathy Gustavson

Topic: Electromagnetic Waves
Grade Levels: High School, University, Ages 14-18+
Educational Standards:
This project meets these Next Generation Science Standards:
 http://www.nextgenscience.org/topic-arrangement/hswaves-and-electromagnetic-radiation

Summary: This course module is a summary of electromagnetic waves - their characteristics and production. The analysis of electromagnetic waves from space is integral in understanding the universe we live in.

Physical Forces

Written by: Written by: Kimberly Tran in collaboration with Miguel Rico, EIS Education Team Members, March 2016
Topics: Frames of reference, Free body diagrams, Newton's laws, Gravity, Orbits
Grade Level: High School
Educational Standards: This project meets these Next Generation Science Standards

Note: Please list other standards in the news forum
Summary: This project will introduce the basics of physics and discuss the role of physics in space. 



Solar Eclipses (High School)

In this project, students learn about the causes, types and other notable features of solar eclipses. 

Spectroscopy

Helpful Pre-requisite projects:
               Electromagnetic waves
              Blackbody Radiation and What the Stars Tell Us


Written by: Kathy Gustavson, July 2016
Grade (Age) Levels: High School (14-18+)
Topics:  Different types of spectra. History of spectral analysis. Energy level diagrams and equation. Spectral analysis of electromagnetic waves from space.

Summary: The spectrum of an object is a graph of the intensity of radiation vs wavelength. A blackbody will give a continuous spectrum. But what causes the lines in the other types of spectra? Can these lines help in the understanding of the properties of the matter responsible for the various spectra?

The Space Between Stars

Written by: Kimberly Tran, EIS Education Team Member, January 2016
Topic: Calculating distance between points on the two and three dimensional plane, Graphing on the three dimensional plane
Title of Lesson: The Space Between Stars
Grade Level: High School

Students will review graphing on a Cartesian plane and calculating distances between points. They will then move on to graphing in three dimensions, calculating distances between points and modelling in 3D.