Grade 9 Science Astronomy Unit
Exploring Space and
the Periodic Table
Astronomy follows chemistry because this unit is another story of the periodic table. Two important goals from the unit are exploring the origin of the elements of the periodic table and understanding how our observations of the sky allow us to figure out how the universe works.
The study of astronomy starts in the daytime! We explore the most important object in the sky - the Sun and its apparent motion. The story of a star is a competition between the force of gravity and electrical interactions (pressure). We introduce absorption spectra and review the particle theory of matter to model how stars work and how they manufacture new elements as they evolve over their lifetimes. Mathematical work is important in this unit: we use scientific notation, ratios, conversions, and speed calculations to help us understand the universe. The math is always highly structured and scaffolded to encourage sense-making. Our observations expand outward as we study galactic motion and the evolution of the universe. Finally, we are looking for other worlds like our own - with life!
Learn More
Astronomy Course Guide
Course Guide - 9 Astronomy.pdfSlides containing instructions, images and videos for each lesson. The file is large and only runs properly in PowerPoint, so this is a pdf version.
Astronomy Lessons and Activities
9 Handbook - Astronomy.pdfAn activity book for students containing each lesson.
Lesson 1: People and Space
Should people travel to Mars?
Blast Off to Mars
Scholastic Video
What will they do when they get to Mars?
Surviving on the red planet.
Is there life on Mars?
Is there?!?
Lesson 2: Here Comes the Sun
Exploring the movement of the sun across the sky. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
Explanation Video
A2: Explaining the polar diagram view.
Observation Video
B4: Simulation of sun position in sky. First set of observations.
Observations Video
B5: Simulation of sun position in sky. Second set of observations.
B1: Observation Video
B4: Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
B5: Observation Video
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Observation Video
A year of sunrises
Lesson 3: What is the Sun Made of?
Using evidence from light to determine the elements in the Sun. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
Observation Experiment
A3: Viewing a light bulb through a holographic diffraction grating
Observation Experiment
A3: Changing the voltage and temperature of the bulb.
Observation Experiment
B2: Looking at the colours of light coming from hot gases
Lesson 4: How Does the Sun Work?
Exploring what is happening inside the Sun. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
Observation Video
A2: A simulation of gas particles with an increasing temperature.
Application Video
A9: A simulation of gas particles showing a sudden decrease in temperature.
Explanation Video
Can humans make fusion work here on Earth?
Explanation Video
The story of the ITER reactor
Lesson 5: The Sun vs. Earth
Explore the size of things in our solar system using ratios and scientific notation. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
Explanation Video
How to write numbers in scientific notation.
Explanation Video
Compare some numbers and learn why scientific notation is so handy!
Lesson 6: Cycles of the Sun, Earth and Moon
Lesson 7: The Life of a Star
Explore the stellar life cycle using a resource from the Perimeter Institute. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
Observation Experiment
What can we infer from these images that are years apart?
Stellar Nebula
Planetary Nebula
White Dwarf Star
Lesson 11: What's Happening to the Universe?
The colour of light from distant galaxies is shifting. What does this mean? Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
Explanation Video
B: Overlapping past and present pictures of the universe to reveal expanding pattern.
Observation Video
C1: Observations for the Elastic and Washer model of the universe.
Lesson 13: Are We Alone in the Universe?
When a planet around another start passes in front of it, the light from the star changes! Explore how in this lesson. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
Observation Video
B2-5: Observe and predict light curves from planets of different size.
Testing Video
C3: Predict the light curves for planets moving at different speeds.