Earth in Space
Exploring Space
Telescopes
By Alice M. Darnell
5/4/11
BAD ASTRONOMY PRESENTATION
Earth in Space
 Misconception:
Students may think
that the changing
distance between
Earth and the sun
causes seasons as
Earth travels in its
elliptical orbit.
 Relating to ISAT & ILS
Goal 12:
Earth in Space
Address the Misconception
 Drawings of Earth’s elliptical orbit are often
exaggerated.
 Students may misinterpret such drawings
and think that as Earth comes closer to the
sun, we have summer and, as Earth swings
away from the sun, we have winter.
What to do next….
 Explain that Earth’s orbit is only slightly
elliptical. The distance between Earth and
the sun does not change enough to have a
large effect on the seasons
 Show students simulated activities of the
seasons and the yearly cycle of the seasons.
What to do next…
 Point out the shape of Earth’s orbit.
 Explain that, although it is an ellipse, Earth’s
orbit is almost a circle.
 In a simulation setting, ask: Why does the
diagram in the assimilation show Earth’s orbit
as an oval if it is really nearly circular? And,
 What causes the seasons?
In Response to the Respective
Questions…
Earth’s orbit as an oval…
 The diagram is drawn as if
you are looking at the
ellipse from its side, similar
to looking at a dinner plate
on edge. If viewed fro
above, the orbit would
more closely resemble a
circle.
the seasons?
What
Thecauses
tilt of Earth’
axis
causes the seasons.
Life Beyond Earth
 Misconception:
Some students may
think that
extraterrestrial life
must be limited to only
intelligent life forms.
 Relating to ISAT & ILS
Goal 12:
Address the Misconception
 Students’ ideas about the features and
history of Mars may be partly based on
science-fiction stories, television shows, and
movies.
 Have students prepare a FACT/FICTION sheet
to distinguish scientific findings about Mars
from science fiction.
Address the Misconception…
 Have students share their FACT/FICTION
sheet to discuss whether the agree on what is
fact and what is fiction.
Address the Misconception
 Some students may
think that extraterrestrial
life is limited only to
intelligent life forms.
 Ask Students to give
examples of various life
forms on Earth.
 Stress that
extraterrestrial life would
include any organism
living elsewhere in the
universe.
 ASK STUDENTS: Why
would scientists want to
discover single-celled life
on other planets?
 This would prove that life
has arisen elsewhere.
Telescopes
Misconception:
Some students may
think that stars are
only at nighttime.
 Relating to ISAT & ILS
Goal 12:
Address the Misconception
 Stars are always in the
sky, even during the
day. They are not
visible however,
because our eyes are
not able to distinguish
them because of the
brightness of the sun.
For this reason, optical
telescopes cannot be
used during daytime.
 Visible light form the
sun, on the other hand,
does not interfere with
radio waves.
Therefore, radio
telescopes can be used
both night and day.
Address the Misconception
 Have students
brainstorm other
examples of how the
sun’s brightness
“overpowers” other
forms of visible light.
Possible Response:
In the daytime, it can be
hard to tell whether a
car’s headlights are on.
A flashlight’s beam
cannot be seen in
bright sunlight. (TEST
THIS OUT).
Sources
 Internet:
http://www.ems.psu.edu/~fraser/BadScience.
html
 Science Explorer: Astronomy , PearsonPrentice Hall
 Article: “Bad Science”