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MAIN CONCEPTS
You will need to be able to answer the following questions:
How are the stars made?
What are the different types of stars?
How have stars been used in the past?
What meaning do the constellations share?
What do stars tell us about our future?
Assignment 1 - Click on the picture to open link.
Assignment 1 - Click on the picture to open link.
Click on the picture above and read the passage on Constellations. Answer the 10 questions at the end of the reading.
Assignment 2
Assignment 2
Use the planisphere to complete the lab. Print out the document - it will be easier to complete.
Instructions on how to use the planisphere. (Do NOT print out instructions!)
PlanisphereLab.pdf
Assignment 3
Assignment 3
Research your own constellation: A suggestion could be your birthday month constellation.
Use this template to get you started. (Print and turn into your instructor)
Assignment 4 (Click on the link)
Assignment 4 (Click on the link)
Read the passage on star formations.
Complete the 3 review questions.
Assignment 5: Complete the following diagrams on how stars are formed and their phases: The assignment will be easier if you print all four pages.
Assignment 5: Complete the following diagrams on how stars are formed and their phases: The assignment will be easier if you print all four pages.
b. Star
c. Star
d. Star
Assignment 6: Why are stars hot and bright? Read the information below and answer the comprehension questions linked at the bottom. 80% or higher is required or corrections will be needed.
Assignment 6: Why are stars hot and bright? Read the information below and answer the comprehension questions linked at the bottom. 80% or higher is required or corrections will be needed.
Nuclear fusion and nucleosynthesis
Nuclear fusion and nucleosynthesis
Stars are giant nuclear reactors. In the center of stars, atoms are taken apart by tremendous atomic collisions that alter the atomic structure and release an enormous amount of energy. This makes stars hot and bright.
Nuclear fusion is an atomic reaction that fuels stars. In fusion, many nuclei (the centers of atoms) combine together to make a larger one (which is a different element). The result of this process is the release of a lot of energy (the resultant nucleus is smaller in mass than the sum of the ones that made it; the difference in mass is converted into energy by the equation E=mc2).
Stars are powered by nuclear fusion in their cores, mostly converting hydrogen into helium.
The production of new elements via nuclear reactions is called nucleosynthesis. A star’s mass determines what other type of nucleosynthesis occurs in its core (or during explosive changes in its life cycle). Each of us is made from atoms that were produced in stars and went through a supernova.
Small stars
The smallest stars only convert hydrogen into helium.
Medium-sized stars (like our Sun)
Late in their lives, when the hydrogen becomes depleted, stars like our Sun can convert helium into oxygen and carbon.
Massive stars
(greater than five times the mass of the Sun): When their hydrogen becomes depleted, high mass stars convert helium atoms into carbon and oxygen, followed by the fusion of carbon and oxygen into neon, sodium, magnesium, sulfur and silicon. Later reactions transform these elements into calcium, iron, nickel, chromium, copper and others. When these old, large stars with depleted cores supernova, they create heavy elements (all the natural elements heavier than iron) and spew them into space, forming the basis for life.
Nuclear Fusion Comprehension Questions - Make a copy of questions, answer questions and then link and submit on slate.
Nuclear Fusion Comprehension Questions - Make a copy of questions, answer questions and then link and submit on slate.
Use the following information, linked articles and video above to help you understand the process of classifying different types of stars. Print out and complete the Hertzsprung Diagram. This assignment is graphing stars based on color and temperature.
Star Classification Video
The Sun is a as a G2V type star, a yellow dwarf and a main sequence star.
Stars are classified by their spectra (the elements that they absorb) and their temperature. There are seven main types of stars. In order of decreasing temperature, O, B, A, F, G, K, and M.
O and B stars are uncommon but very bright; M stars are common but dim..
An easy mnemonic for remembering these is: "Oh be a fine guy/girl, kiss me."
Hertzsprung - Russell Diagram
The Hertzsprung -Russell (H-R) Diagram is a graph that plots stars color (spectral type or surface temperature) vs. its luminosity(intrinsic brightness or absolute magnitude). On it, astronomers plot stars' color, temperature, luminosity, spectral type, and evolutionary stage. This diagram shows that there are 3 very different types of stars:
Most stars, including the sun, are "main sequence stars," fueled by nuclear fusion converting hydrogen into helium. For these stars, the hotter they are, the brighter. These stars are in the most stable part of their existence; this stage generally lasts for about 5 billion years.
As stars begin to die, they become giants and supergiants (above the main sequence). These stars have depleted their hydrogen supply and are very old. The core contracts as the outer layers expand. These stars will eventually explode (becoming a planetary nebula or supernova, depending on their mass) and then become white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes (again depending on their mass).
Smaller stars (like our Sun) eventually become faint white dwarfs (hot, white, dim stars) that are below the main sequence. These hot, shrinking stars have depleted their nuclear fuels and will eventually become cold, dark, black dwarfs.
Hertzsprung Diagram: Plot the coordiances for the stars, color the regions and follow the instructions on the assignment.
Assignment 8: The Sun our main Star!
Assignment 8: The Sun our main Star!
Watch the following video and take notes on how the sun functions. Please write down at least 10 facts that you learned while reviewing the video.
Assignment 9:
Assignment 9:
Complete the interactive practice by following the directions on the Interactive Assignment
Review the information about the Sun. At the end of the reading review click on Puzzle about the Sun. Take the quiz - you will know if you have the answers correct because an image of the sun will become clear. Snip a picture of your answers and the completed image of the sun! Paste on a google doc and submit!
*Final Performance Task: Choice Project
*Final Performance Task: Choice Project
Suggestions:
Meteors and Craters Experiment
Fact or Fiction: This performance task will be in-depth research on multiple concepts about space portrayed within full-feature video productions. You will research a minimum of 10 principles of "science" that was used in the two videos; finding 5 errors displayed or portrayed in the movie and 5 correct scientific principles used in the video. Each principle must have evidence supporting the error/correctives of the principle.
Resource to find projects: Sciencebuddies.org
Student will:
Conduct the experiment, following the instructions and collecting the necessary data and then report findings in the following manner. Each project is different therefore meet with instructor to discuss your plan.
Submit a technical write using guidelines provided: Technical Writing Rubric
Create a multimedia or trifold presentation of the research
Present an oral overview in front of an audience.
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