Curated OER
How Do Astronomers Measure Distances to Stars?
In this astronomy learning exercise, students participate in an activity using the parallax effect to measure star distances. They record their information in a data table then complete 5 fill in the blank conclusion questions.
Curated OER
Taking the Measure of the Universe
Four fabulous activities immerse amateur astronomers into measuring objects that we cannot handle. The experiences are applied to NASA's Space Interferometry Mission, which will take measurements of planets around stars other than our...
Curated OER
Distances in Space
In this distances in space worksheet, students learn about astronomical units and light years as measurements for great distances. Students use both of these units of measurements to solve five problems.
Curated OER
Distances to Stars
Students explore the idea of parallax. In this astronomy lesson, students study the distances of stars. They investigate how parallax can be used to determine these distances.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Cosmic Measurements
Students develop two units of measurement to relate to the astronomical unit and the light year. In this astronomy instructional activity, students use a Twizzler to develop a measurement unit similar to the astronomical unit. They use a...
Curated OER
When a Ruler is Too Short
Students measure distances using parallax. In this math lesson, students explain how this method helped astronomers with their studies of the solar system. They determine the length of their arm using parallax and compare it with other...
Curated OER
Understanding Distance in Space
Learners discover the vocabulary used for distances in space and review measurement units and instruments before creating a scale model of the planets. They determine how to calculate the relative distances between the planets using a...
Curated OER
Galaxy Distances and Mixed Fractions
In this galaxies and fractions worksheet, students solve 8 problems involving the distances of galaxies from each other by using mixed fractions to solve each problem. They use the megaparsec as the unit of measurement.
NASA
Just How Far is That Star?
Pupils often wonder how we know the distance to various stars. Starting with a thought experiment and progressing to a physical experiment, they determine the brightness and distance to various stars. The evaluation requires critical...
NASA
Earth, Earth’s Moon, Mars Balloons
Very specific diameters are given for blowing up three different balloons to represent, in scale, the moon, Earth, and Mars. In groups of three, amateur astronomers explore scale measurements and distance in space.
Illustrative Mathematics
Solar Eclipse
Learners take on the role of astronomers, calculating conditions necessary for a total solar eclipse. Concepts of similar triangles and properties of circles come together as pupils create ratios and use real measurements in determining...
Curated OER
Measurement Via Triangulation
Young scholars investigate various common terms of measurement, sort them into categories, select the uncommon terms, and construct conversion tables for both the common and the uncommon terms of measurement.
Curated OER
Worksheet 16
In this math activity, students compute the total distance traveled for a car moving in a straight line at 45 mph for 2 hours. Then they compute the distance for a car moving along a curved path at 45 mph for 2 hours.
Curated OER
Solar System Bead Distance Activity
Learners create a scaled solar system model using colorful beads. In this space science lesson, students convert AU units into metric measurements. They arrange the planets according to their distances from the sun.
NASA
Discovering Some of Your “Yardsticks” Are Actually “Meter-sticks”
The Milky Way gets great reviews on Trip Advisor — 100 million stars. The activity allows scholars to rethink their assumptions and prior knowledge. Pupils observe a set of two lights at equal distance and brightness, but they believe...
EngageNY
How Far Away Is the Moon?
Does the space shuttle have an odometer? Maybe, but all that is needed to determine the distance to the moon is a little geometry! The lesson asks scholars to sketch the relationship of the Earth and moon using shadows of an eclipse....
Curated OER
SIZING UP SOL
Ninth graders produce a projected, pinhole image of the sun and from measurement of the image and projection distance, calculate the actual size of the sun. They estimate the sun's apparent brightness from different planet.
It's About Time
Orbits and Effects
What does your world revolve around? Challenge the class as they learn about orbits and the effects of them on our modern world. Young astronomers begin by measuring ellipses and calculating the eccentricity of Earth's orbit. Then, they...
Curated OER
Measuring the Speed of Light
Students explore physics by completing measurement problems in class. In this speed of light lesson, students discuss the importance of knowing the speed of light and how it affects many aspects of human life on Earth. Students identify...
Curated OER
Measuring Elevation
Learners practice measuring elevation, one of the key coordinates used by astronomers. They describe how the elevation of an object is measured.
and combine compass directions and elevation to find celestial objects.
Curated OER
Measuring the Sun's Diameter
Young scholars project and measure the suns image using a refracting telescope. For this sun's diameter lesson students calculate the magnification of the telescope and determine the diameter if the Sun.
Curated OER
The Big Bang-Hubble's Law
In this Hubble's law worksheet, students use data for galaxies which include their distance and speed. Students make a graph to show the distance to each galaxy and the speed of each galaxy. They use their graph to answer 4 questions...
Curated OER
Chandra Explores Angular Size
In this angular size learning exercise, learners read about how astronomers determine the size of objects in the sky by using their angular size. Students are given equations that allow scientists to convert the angular size into...
Curated OER
Seeing Solar Storms in STEREO-I
In this geometric calculations of solar storms worksheet, students use a diagram indicating the location of 2 STEREO satellites, the earth and the sun to calculate the distance between a Coronal Mass Ejection and the Earth. They use...