Friday, September 30, 2005
Sundial project explained
Simple sundial plans will be finished; the sundial lecture will be completed if it isn't already.
Your assignment is to build a sundial which will tell time you can set your watch with.
The sundial can be any style, equatorial, analemmatic, horizontal, or otherwise, but only equatorial instructions will be provided.
The sundial must be built accurately so that it will tell local solar time in Antioch, CA.
It must include a mechanism or information so the LST can be converted to Pacific Standard Time.
This means it should have an offset built in for our longitude; a copy of the equation of time or the equivalent analemma plus instructions on how to use it, and the current rules for daylight saving time printed on it.
Bonus points may be awarded for more permanent designs, adjustable designs, or advanced designs requiring more mathmatics.
The sundial due date will be at least a week into the future and will be specified in class.
Your assignment is to build a sundial which will tell time you can set your watch with.
The sundial can be any style, equatorial, analemmatic, horizontal, or otherwise, but only equatorial instructions will be provided.
The sundial must be built accurately so that it will tell local solar time in Antioch, CA.
It must include a mechanism or information so the LST can be converted to Pacific Standard Time.
This means it should have an offset built in for our longitude; a copy of the equation of time or the equivalent analemma plus instructions on how to use it, and the current rules for daylight saving time printed on it.
Bonus points may be awarded for more permanent designs, adjustable designs, or advanced designs requiring more mathmatics.
The sundial due date will be at least a week into the future and will be specified in class.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Shadow of a stick lab due; the analemma; sundials
Today we'll look at your data for the shadow of a stick lab and determine the time of local solar noon.
We will also begin the process of explaining how to build a sundial, which is your next big project.
We will explain time zones, daylight savings time, longitude and latitude on the earth, and the equation of time.
The analemma will be shown and explained.
As a reference you might consider visiting www.analemma.com.
We will also begin the process of explaining how to build a sundial, which is your next big project.
We will explain time zones, daylight savings time, longitude and latitude on the earth, and the equation of time.
The analemma will be shown and explained.
As a reference you might consider visiting www.analemma.com.
Monday, September 26, 2005
shadow stick lab postponed; puzzle; azimuth lab due; stonehenge assigned.
Shadow of a stick lab, which was due today, is postponed until Wednesday because I will be out.
Instead, students will do the following:
Motion of the sun acrostic puzzle. When the puzzle is solved, don't forget to read the solution and do what it says.
Finish the sunrise azimuth position lab and turn it in. For full credit, you should have
a data table
a graph
the dates and azimuths for the extremes (maximum and minimum) of azimuth
the dates when the azimuth was equal to 90 (there are two)
You name, date and class period
and the answers to the questions
what is the independent variable
what is the dependent variable
for this experiment.
Afterwards the Stonehenge assignment will be made. This is due next week.
Instead, students will do the following:
Motion of the sun acrostic puzzle. When the puzzle is solved, don't forget to read the solution and do what it says.
Finish the sunrise azimuth position lab and turn it in. For full credit, you should have
a data table
a graph
the dates and azimuths for the extremes (maximum and minimum) of azimuth
the dates when the azimuth was equal to 90 (there are two)
You name, date and class period
and the answers to the questions
what is the independent variable
what is the dependent variable
for this experiment.
Afterwards the Stonehenge assignment will be made. This is due next week.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
USGS Astrogeology: Solar System Geology Browser
Geology of the planetary bodies in the solar system. This link is definitely going to be useful to you in the spring.
USGS Astrogeology: Solar System Geology Browser
USGS Astrogeology: Solar System Geology Browser
USGS Astrogeology: Solar System Geology Browser
Geology of the planetary bodies in the solar system. This link is definitely going to be useful to you in the spring.
USGS Astrogeology: Solar System Geology Browser
USGS Astrogeology: Solar System Geology Browser
Thursday, September 22, 2005
finish azimuth lab
We will finish what we started earlier in the week.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Computer simulation of sunrise/sunset
I need signed parent permission for labs, and also need your responses to these questions:
1. What causes the phases of the moon?
2. What causes the seasons?
3. Another question related to astronomy or space science or earth science you would like answered.
We will get the computer lab up and running again, and then spend the day learning how to:
Log in to the computers.
Start Starry Night.
Measure altitude and azimuth of the sun.
We will begin taking measurements of the sunrise and sunset positions of the sun.
When complete, we will plot appropriate graphs to determine the day and angle of the sun at the solstices.
This information will be used to design a stonehenge.
While groups work on this activity, we will also be checking your observing notebook for the moon phase observation project.
We will note the autumnal equinox day, and the day when the sun rises directly over Lone Tree Way on your way in to Antioch.
1. What causes the phases of the moon?
2. What causes the seasons?
3. Another question related to astronomy or space science or earth science you would like answered.
We will get the computer lab up and running again, and then spend the day learning how to:
Log in to the computers.
Start Starry Night.
Measure altitude and azimuth of the sun.
We will begin taking measurements of the sunrise and sunset positions of the sun.
When complete, we will plot appropriate graphs to determine the day and angle of the sun at the solstices.
This information will be used to design a stonehenge.
While groups work on this activity, we will also be checking your observing notebook for the moon phase observation project.
We will note the autumnal equinox day, and the day when the sun rises directly over Lone Tree Way on your way in to Antioch.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Analysis of the Horoscope Lab
We analyzed the horoscope lab and visited the planetarium.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Horoscope lab and introduction to planetarium
APOD
We will begin by defining the horoscope lab more thoroughly and set up investigative teams to complete the task. Current horosocopes will be provided.
Editors will create two similar looking horoscope sheets, one from the correct day and one not. These will be labeled "A" or "B" in no particular order, and only the editor will know which one is which.
While the editor works on this task, the readers will get textbooks.
Readers will take these home and interview 10 people each to see if the horoscopes apply to them.
Next class, we will compile results for the correct and incorrect horoscope groups.
In the second half of class we will visit the planetarium, see a quick tour of tonight's sky, and look at altitude and azimuth values, plus how the sun's position changes on the horizon as a function of time in preparation for a lab to determine the exact dates the turnover occurs.
4th period needs to take their lab quiz.
We will begin by defining the horoscope lab more thoroughly and set up investigative teams to complete the task. Current horosocopes will be provided.
Editors will create two similar looking horoscope sheets, one from the correct day and one not. These will be labeled "A" or "B" in no particular order, and only the editor will know which one is which.
While the editor works on this task, the readers will get textbooks.
Readers will take these home and interview 10 people each to see if the horoscopes apply to them.
Next class, we will compile results for the correct and incorrect horoscope groups.
In the second half of class we will visit the planetarium, see a quick tour of tonight's sky, and look at altitude and azimuth values, plus how the sun's position changes on the horizon as a function of time in preparation for a lab to determine the exact dates the turnover occurs.
4th period needs to take their lab quiz.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Lab safety quiz; cupcakes; experimental design
Lab safety quiz (take and grade in class)
The cupcake demonstration
Experimental Design concepts and terms:
independent variable
dependent variable
interfering variable
double-blind experiment
cause/effect
The Nature of Scientific Knowledge, including the definitions of
fact
theory
law
hypothesis
pseudoscience
Experimental Design Puzzle
Books distributed
The cupcake demonstration
Experimental Design concepts and terms:
independent variable
dependent variable
interfering variable
double-blind experiment
cause/effect
The Nature of Scientific Knowledge, including the definitions of
fact
theory
law
hypothesis
pseudoscience
Experimental Design Puzzle
Books distributed
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
First Day of school lesson plans
First day lesson plans:
What is the difference between Astro/Space and Astro/Earth?
Attendance
Class rules
Contact information
Textbook and suggested supply list
Scientific calculator
Observing notebook (composition notebook please)
3-ring binder for notes and handouts
colored pencils
Your first homework assignment:
Our first lesson has to do with the sun's daily motion through the sky. To make observations you need to know which way is north, south, east, or west in your yard.
What is the difference between Astro/Space and Astro/Earth?
Attendance
Class rules
Contact information
Textbook and suggested supply list
Scientific calculator
Observing notebook (composition notebook please)
3-ring binder for notes and handouts
colored pencils
Your first homework assignment:
Our first lesson has to do with the sun's daily motion through the sky. To make observations you need to know which way is north, south, east, or west in your yard.
