Roadmap to the Stars: The Night Sky Explained
Learn from a real astronomer! When you wish upon a star, wouldn't it be good to know which star it is and what constellation it lies in? Objects in the night sky can be pinpointed like cities on a roadmap. Hands-on activities.
Kevin Manning
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(50)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursHomework
Practice locating celestial objects using coordinates on a star chart.Class Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
When you wish upon a star, wouldn't it be good to know which star it is and what constellation it lies in? Objects in the night sky can be pinpointed with a little understanding of the celestial sphere and its coordinates. Hands-on activities using star charts will serve to bring the point home. Purpose: This class is based on an appreciation and understanding of the night sky and how to locate objects within it. To accomplish this aim, concepts are developed with reference to circles and angular distances within and across constellation boundaries around the earth. Teaching Method: Screen sharing using an MS PowerPoint slides with incredible images and exciting video clips. Clarifying questions can be asked through live interaction, and time for addressing in depth questions submitted via the chat box will be given at the end of the slides. Materials: The provided PDF packet must be printed BEFORE the class. It includes a Daily Observation Log with instructions for the student to record their own observations of the night sky in their back yard or a nearby park or schoolyard as a homework assignment. It also includes some STEM hands-on activities described by topic below. Students will need a pen or pencil to write and draw with. Topics Include: • Celestial sphere and angular measurements • Celestial coordinates of right ascension and declination • Using star charts • Sidereal motion • Messier objects
Learning Goals
Earth’s Place in the Universe
Using an orrery and other digitally graphic mechanical models of the solar system, galaxy and universe, positions and motions according to the heliocentric model are represented.
The Universe and Its Stars
Stellar birth, evolution, death, size, brightness, color, number and distribution are illustrated in a variety of ways, including their distances and patterns formed in the sky with asterisms and constellations.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Astronomy and Sky & Telescope magazines. Any books on the night sky.
Joined November, 2021
4.8
50reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Learn from a real astronomer! I teach exciting astronomy classes about different aspects of the universe using incredible photos, awesome video clips, and fun STEM hands-on activities. My passion about the universe really shows.
• Astronomer and science educator with lots of experience
• Consultant for NASA
• Chandra X-Ray Observatory (space telescope) with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
• Wright Fellow at Tufts University
• Einstein Fellow working with NASA Headquarters, the US House of Representatives, and the US Dept of Energy Office of Science on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC
• Brookhaven National Laboratory
• I'm an author and written 101 Fun Facts on Astronomy and The Complete Guide to Building Your Own 8-inch Telescope
• Content Expert for Scholastic Library Publishing called Rookie Read-About Science: The Universe for four books entitled Earth, The Moon, The Stars, and The Sun
• Workshops include those made at Tufts University, State University of New York at Stony Brook, the National Science Teachers Association's National Convention, American Association for the Advancement of Science Breakfast with Scientists, and the National Parks Service
• Teaching is an art and requires patience and a thorough understanding of the subject to be able to help someone learn using various approaches and learning styles
• I feel it's important to be yourself and add a little humor because that has been shown through research to help an individual relax and learn better
• I love working with wood and have used it to build telescopes including one that is over ten feet longReviews
Live One-Time Class
$25
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 14 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
1-18 learners per class
