History of Astronomy Electronic Timeline
Now that you’ve learned a smidgen about the Universe and astronomy in Bill Bryson’s book, A Short
History of Nearly Everything, I would like you to learn more about the people who conducted
scientific studies to learn more about our Universe.
Your task is to create an electronic, historic timeline of people and events important in the
discovery of our Universe and celestial bodies within it. You may use any type of software to create
your timeline, like Google Docs, Prezi or PowerPoint. Your timeline should include facts about each
person along with a photo and the sources in which you obtained your information.
You MUST include the following people on your timeline. If you include more you will receive
extra credit!
Aristotle
Aristarchus of Samos
Annie Jump Cannon
Albert Einstein
Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Copernicus
E. Margaret Burbidge
Edwin Hubble
Eratosthenes
Eugene Shoemaker
Frank Drake
Galileo Galilei
Ptolemy
Giordano Bruno
Grote Reber
Gerard Kuiper
Hipparchus
Henrietta Swan Leavitt
Isaac Newton
Johannes Kepler
James Van Allen
Carl Sagan
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Stephen Hawking
Tycho Brahe
You should then summarize your research of the timeline in at least a 3-paragraph written
response. Some questions you may want to ponder: How has astronomy changed over time? What
role does a culture’s belief system have had on astronomy/science? In your opinion, who are the
top three astronomers?... The written response will be worth 20 points.
Grading Rubric for Electronic Timeline Portion
CATEGORY
Content/Facts
(20 points)
Dates
(10 points)
Sources
(10 points)
Time Use
(5 points)
4
Facts were accurate for
all events reported on the
timeline.
An accurate, complete
date has been included
for each event.
The timeline contained
sources for each person.
Classroom time was used
to work on the project.
Conversations were not
disruptive and focused on
the work.
3
Facts were accurate for almost
all events reported on the
timeline.
An accurate, complete date has
been included for almost every
event.
The timeline lacked at least 2
sources.
Classroom time was used to
work on the project the
majority of the time.
Conversations were not
disruptive and focused on the
work.
2
Facts were accurate for
most (~75%) of the events
reported on the timeline.
An accurate date has been
included for almost every
event.
The timeline lacked at least
4 sources.
Classroom time was used to
work on the project the
majority of the time, but
conversations often were
disruptive or did not focus
on the work.
1
Facts were often
inaccurate for events
reported on the timeline.
Dates are inaccurate
and/or missing for
several events.
The timeline lacked at
least 6 or more sources.
Student did not use
classroom time to work
on the project and/or
was highly disruptive.
Readability
(5 points)
The overall appearance
of the timeline is pleasing
and easy to read.
The overall appearance of the
timeline is somewhat pleasing
and easy to read.
The timeline is relatively
readable.
The timeline is difficult
to read.