GEAR UP Telescope
Training and Curriculum
(Presentation found at
http://goo.gl/bn5jt4)
Bruce Palmquist
Central Washington University
palmquis@cwu.edu
Outline
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Unpacking the telescopes and ID items
Safe solar viewing (brief lecture & modeling)
Using the telescopes during the day
(outside)
Sun-related resources (web explorations)
Astronomy resources (web explorations)
Using the telescopes at night (outside)
Observational astronomy relevant NGSS
MS-ESS1-1. Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to
describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and
moon, and seasons.
MS-ESS1-2. Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in
the motions within galaxies and the solar system. (motion of planets)
HS-ESS1-1. Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life
span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion in the sun’s core to
release energy that eventually reaches Earth in the form of radiation.
(sun spots)
HS-ESS1-4. Use mathematical or computational representations to
predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system. (Jupiter’s
moons)
Unpack telescopes for solar use
Almost always used
Telescope
Base
Tripod
Eyepieces
Totebag
Used for solar
viewing
Viewing screen
Solar filter
Sun viewing safety rules with a filter
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Never touch the filter itself
Make sure the filter is tightly secured
Have a trusted adult or older student monitor the
telescope AT ALL TIMES
Aim the telescope away from the Sun when not in use
for a short time
Cover the telescope when not in use for a long time
Emphasize it is not safe to look directly at the Sun
For more information about solar filter safety, read the
Projecting the Sun’s image safely
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Cut a 2” diameter hole in a piece of cardboard and fit it
snugly over the front of the telescope
If you use the screen that comes with the telescope,
make sure it is securely fastened
Have a trusted adult or older student monitor the
telescope AT ALL TIMES
Cover the end of the telescope when not in use
Emphasize it is not safe to look directly at the Sun
For more information about projecting an image of the
Sun safely, read the article found here.
Setting up the telescopes outside
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I will set one up and aim it at the Sun
Then you will set up your own and aim it at
the Sun
I’ll help, evaluate your set-up, and give
feedback
Sketch what you see in the eyepiece
We can look at terrestrial objects using the
upright image corrector
Three Sun information resources
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The Sun Lab from NOVA Labs
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Stanford Solar Center
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http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/lab/sun/
Sun information and solar projects for students
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http://solar-center.stanford.edu/
Sun information and multidisciplinary curriculum
Solar Stormwatch
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http://www.solarstormwatch.com/
Sun 101
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Go to The Sun Lab and view Sun 101
Discuss the questions
Your turn
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Take about 15 minutes to explore
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/lab/sun/
How can you use this with your students?
Especially explore the Research Challenge section
Share your good idea here http://goo.gl/HNYCl0
The Multidisciplinary Sun
Science is okay but I like
History, Art, Music, Poetry, Literature
Your turn
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Take about 15 minutes to explore http://solarcenter.stanford.edu/
How can you use this with your students?
Especially explore the For Educators section
Share your good idea here http://goo.gl/HNYCl0
Students as contributing scientists
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With solar stormwatch, students add to
science knowledge about the Sun
How can that be? Just watch this
Students get virtual badges for their efforts
Your turn
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Take about 15 minutes to explore
http://www.solarstormwatch.com/
Click Log In on the right side to create an account
Three resources you may not know
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NAAP Astronomy Labs
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Astronomycast
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http://astro.unl.edu/naap/
Simulations for many astronomy topics
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http://www.astronomycast.com/
Podcasts about many astronomy topics
Sky & Telescope magazine online
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http://www.skyandtelescope.com/
NAAP Labs
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Go to NAAP Intro page and review lab list
Go to the Lunar Phases Lab
Go to http://goo.gl/pGxGLP to find a sample
Your turn
Take about 15 minutes to explore
o Share your good idea here http://goo.gl/HNYCl0
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Astronomycast
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Go to Astronomycast and listen to ep. 178
Review the show notes
Your turn
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Take about 15 minutes to explore
http://www.astronomycast.com/
How can you use this with your students?
Especially explore the Show Notes section
Share your good idea here http://goo.gl/HNYCl0
Sky and Telescope
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Go to Sky & Telescope, look at the star chart
Set it for our date & location (customizable!)
Your turn
Take about 15 minutes to explore
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/
o Click on “Register here” so you can use the chart
o Click on “Interactive sky chart”, set for your location
o Go to a date you may use your telescope
o Click “Create PDF” for a printable chart
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Other night viewing resources
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Heavens-Above (http://www.heavens-above.com/)
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Sky Maps (http://www.skymaps.com/)
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Identify human-made satellites
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Printable map with a lot of extra information
I distribute these at public star parties
Globe at Night (http://www.globeatnight.org/)
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A great citizen science star counting activity to help
determine the extent of light pollution
Unpack telescopes for night use
Almost always used
Telescope
Base
Tripod
Eyepieces
Totebag
Used for night
viewing
Red dot finder
Setting up the telescopes outside
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I will set one up and aim it at an object
Then you will set up your own and aim it at
the same bright object
I’ll help, evaluate your set-up, and give
feedback
Find at least three more objects from the
Evening Sky Map http://www.skymaps.com/