Drexel-SDP GK-12 ACTIVITY
Light and Telescopes
Subject Area(s):
Astronomy, Physics and Engineering
Associated Unit:
Earth Sciences, Technology
Associated Lesson: Tools of Astronomy
Activity Title
Light and Telescopes
Image from Jodrell Bank
Observatory, University of
Manchester, Macclesfield,
Cheshire SK11 9DL
Grade Level __ (_8_-_9_)
Activity Dependency : Need to
have access to a computer and
the internet
Time Required :
Group Size
group
1hr
1-2 students per
Expendable Cost per Group no
additional materials needed
Summary: In this activity
students will explore the
electromagnetic spectrum and the
types of telescopes Astronomers
use to study the universe. There
is a brief presentation to
introduce the topic to the
students, and then they are free to explore the website: http://www.rigel.org.uk/astro/index.html.
The multi-wave length viewer displays several different objects in the universe observed at
different wavelengths. The organization and short explanations of what you are looking at
makes this a great tool for beginners to understand and explore the universe that we can and
can’t see.
Engineering Connection
Engineers and physicists have had to design around the limitations of traditional glass lenses and
the effects of the atmosphere to build powerful telescopes.
Keywords: Telescope, Electromagnetic spectrum, Astronomy, universe, wavelength
Educational Standards
 Science:
 Math:
Pre-Requisite Knowledge
Students should be familiar with matter, heat, atoms, visible light,
Learning Objectives
After this lesson, students should be able to:
 List the types of telescopes

Sketch a refracting telescope

Interpret a contour map

Sketch Snell’s law

Compare and contrast celestial bodies based on the information provided by images at
different wavelengths.
Materials List
Each group needs:
 Computer with internet access
Introduction / Motivation
This is a computer based activity to explore the universe with light that spans the
Electromagnetic spectrum.
Procedure
Introduce the topic with the students using the presentation. Hand out the activity sheet and let
the students find the answers using the Multi-wave length viewer.
Background
Refer to the attached presentation and references.
Before the Activity: The teacher should review the information in the Multi-wave length
viewer.
With the Students
1.
Introduce the topic using the Light and Telescopes presentation ( attached as a pdf)
Attachments
Activity worksheet. “Astronomy Activity Worksheet”
2
Safety Issues
 none
Troubleshooting Tips: none
Investigating Questions: Questions are on the worksheet.
Activity Extensions
Check the news for new images or news stories about discoveries reported.
Activity Scaling
 For lower grades, none?
 For upper grades, you can make the questions more detailed?
Additional Multimedia Support
http://www.rigel.org.uk/astro/index.html
References
Given in the presentation text
Multi-wavelength viewer was developed by M.K. Argo at Jodrell Bank Observatory, University
of Manchester, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 9DL
Other
Redirect URL
Owner
Drexel University GK-12 Program
Contributors
Jennifer Atchison
Dorthea Homles-Stanley
Copyright
Copyright 2008 Drexel University GK-12 Program. Reproduction permission is granted for nonprofit educational use.
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