View source for Phillips telescope

'''TITLE:''' 

Observational astronomy with the Phillips telescope

For groups of ideally ~8 students (larger groups can be divided for outdoor observing and planispheres), over 45 minutes' time

'''GOALS:''' 

* Differentiate between different classes of objects
* Identify and understand major descriptive features of objects (distance, mass, temperature, luminosity)
* Understand distance scales of the universe 
* Draw major features of objects 

	
'''INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS:'''

'''PREPARATION'''	

''Materials''
* list of objects visible in night sky at appropriate time of year [[ Object catalogs ]]
* guide to astronomy definitions [[File:Astronomy definitions.docx]]
* red flashlights
* blankets and sweatshirts

''Setup''
* prepare telescope and dome for nighttime operations


'''INTRODUCTION/ENGAGEMENT:'''

* Gather students in warm indoor location shortly after sunset.
* Tell students they will have the chance to look at the night sky through a large telescope, and will have the chance to choose what objects to look at.
* Ask students to think of night-sky objects they know, and share a small amount about each
* Ask students to brainstorm important features of night-sky objects that can help distinguish them (type, age, distance, luminosity, mass, color, location)
* Tell students they will get to choose objects in each category to observe, and will get to make drawings of that object. 

'''EXPLORATION'''

* Divide students into small groups of 3-4
* Let each group flip through an object catalog and choose an object they wish to see. Let them use the definitions handout to understand any confusing terms.
* Ask each group to identify 1-2 facts about their object that answer one or more of the following questions:
** In what constellation is it located?
** What is the history / mythology of the object
** What type of object is it?
** How far away from Earth is it? Is it in our galaxy?
** How old is it?
** Any other fun facts?


'''APPLICATION'''	

* Move group to telescope dome and show sky map on computer, introduce students to controls
* Distribute warm blankets if needed
* Number students 1-n, which will be the standard order for looking through the telescope to reduce dead time
* For each object (probably two at most), have each group present 1-2 facts about the object, then rotate groups through 
* Move the telescope! Let one student control the telescope, another, the dome
* Ask each student to view; all students should then answer a set of questions about the object in their notebook. Use red flashlights if needed.
** how many objects do you see?
** what color are they?
** do they form a shape (ring, line, circle...)?
** are there satellites present?
** is there dust present?
** do the objects have a size or are they points?
* While students are circulating, the lead group can share more facts about the object.	

'''ASSESSMENT'''	

* Turn on dome lights
* Ask one student from each group to share their drawing of each object and recap the major features of the object. 


'''RESOURCES'''	

* History of Astronomy [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_astronomy]
* Cosmic distance scales [http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/cosmic/]
* Introductory astronomy and astrophysics [https://www.e-education.psu.edu/astro801/node/1559]
* SIMBAD database (all objects in sky with photos and details) [http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/]