Astronomy
- Do the following:
- Sketch the face of the moon, indicating on it the
locations of at least five seas and five craters.
- Within a single week sketch the position of the
moon in the sky at the same hour on three different
evenings. Explain the changes observed.
- Tell what factors keep the moon in orbit around the
earth.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Photograph or locate on a map of the sky a planet
at approximately weekly intervals at the same time
of night for at least 4 weeks. Explain any changes
noticed on the photographs or map.
- Find out when each of the five visible planets will
be observable in the evening sky during the next 12
months and compile this information in the form of
a chart or table.
- Do ONE of the following:
- In a sketch show the position of Venus, Mars or
Jupiter in the sky at approximately weekly
intervals at the same time for at least 4 weeks.
- Using a compass, record the direction to the sun at
sunset at approximately weekly intervals for at
least 4 weeks in spring or fall (for 6 to 8 weeks
in summer or winter) and relate this information to
the seasons of the earth.
- With the aid of diagrams explain the relative
positions of sun, earth, moon at the times of lunar
and solar eclipses and at the times of New, First
Quarter, Full, and Last Quarter phases of the moon.
- Using the shadow of a vertical pole in sunshine, lay
out a true north-south line (a meridian). Then, using a
line and the pole on another day, measure the altitude
of the noontime sun and determine your latitude.
- Identify in the sky at least 10 constellations, four of
which are in the Zodiac. Identify at least eight
conspicuous stars, five of which are of first
magnitude. Then do the following:
- Show in a sketch the position of the Big Dipper and
its relation to the North Star and the horizon
early some evening and again 6 hours later the same
night. Record the date and time of making each
sketch.
- Explain what we see when we look at the Milky Way.
- With the aid of diagrams (or real telescopes if
available) explain the difference between reflecting
and refracting telescopes. Describe the basic purpose
of a telescope, and list at least three other
instruments used with telescopes.
- Do the following:
- Describe the composition of the sun, its
relationship to other stars and some effects of its
radiation on the Earth's weather. Define sun-spots
and describe some of the effects they may have on
this radiation.
- Identify at least one star that is red, one that is
blue, and one that is yellow, and explain the
meaning of these colors.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Visit a planetarium or observatory and submit a
report to your counselor both on the activities
occurring there and on the exhibits of instruments
and other astronomical objects you observed.
- Spend at least 3 hours observing celestial objects
through a telescope or field glass, and write a
report for your counselor on what you observed.
- Name different career opportunities in astronomy.
Explain how to prepare for one of them. List the high
school courses most useful in beginning such
preparation.