Embedded Files
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
Read the passage on Constellations and answer the questions at the end of the reading.
Assignment 2
Use the planisphere to complete the lab. Print out the document - it will be easier to complete.
PlanisphereLab.pdfAssignment 3
Research your own constellation:
Use this template to get you started. (print and turn into your instructor)
Assignment 4
Read the passage on star formations.
Complete the 3 review questions.
Complete the following diagrams on how stars are formed and their phases:
b. Star
c. Star
d. Star
Assignment 5
Star Classification
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 6: The Sun our main Star!
Assignment 6: The Sun our main Star!
Watch the following video and take notes on how the sun functions.
Complete the interactive practice by following the directions on the Sun and Sun Spots. Interactive Assignment
*Performance Task Guiding questions: Home page of Astronomy will have suggestions for experiments/projects.
*Performance Task Guiding questions: Home page of Astronomy will have suggestions for experiments/projects.
What is the purpose of your project?
What is the purpose of your project?
What do you want others to learn from your project or presentation?
What do you want others to learn from your project or presentation?
How can you apply/use the information or skills you learned in your life?
How can you apply/use the information or skills you learned in your life?
Bank of Experiment Examples (or you may choose your own).
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