Sunspots

Introduction: Sunspots are some of the most notable features of the Sun. Use a telescope to track the changes in position and shape of sunspots over time. This activity requires adult supervision.McDonald Observator

Exploring Black Holes

Introduction: Students discover the properties of black holes based on their understanding of gravity and velocity. They also analyze astronomical images from the Hubble Space Telescope and Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Through an experiment, they define escape velocity. Then they extend this idea to a black hole, which is an object with an escape velocity equal to the speed of light. In the final activity, students become astronomers in charge of a new database of super-massive black holes. Their job is to evaluate new claims to decide if they are valid. They design an evaluation rubric and apply their new understanding of black holes to make their decisions. They also use real scientific data from Dr. Karl Gebhardt's black hole database.McDonald Observator

Learning About Eliptical Orbits

Introduction: For thousands of years astronomers tried to model the motion of objects in the sky using circles or combinations of circles. Then in 1609, Johannes Kepler proved that the shape of planetary orbits are actually ellipses. Learn to draw ellipses and calculate their basic properties using Kepler's three laws.McDonald Observator

Planet Tours

Introduction: Planning to take a vacation soon? Visit Phobos! Small and cozy, Phobos orbits the fourth planet from the Sun in less than eight hours. From your observation deck on Phobos, you will have a superb view of Mars. You will see its mountains, polar ice caps, and the largest volcano in the solar system. Call your cosmic travel agent today! Try this creative activity to help your students explore the solar system in an imaginative manner.McDonald Observator

Navigating the Night Sky

Introduction: What is in the sky tonight? How do you know where and when to look for a certain star? This activity introduces star maps and star wheels as tools for learning about the night sky.McDonald Observator

Scale Models

Introduction: Without being informed of the expected product, the students will make a Play-doh model of the Earth-Moon system, scaled to size and distance. The facilitator will reveal the true identity of the system at the conclusion of the activity. During the construction phase, students try to guess what members of the solar system their model represents. Each group receives different amounts of Play-doh, with each group assigned a color (red, blue, yellow, white). At the end, groups set up their models and inspect the models of other groups. They report patterns of scale that they notice; as the amount of Play-doh increases, for example, so do the size and distance of the model.McDonald Observator

Reflective Solar Cooker

Introduction: This reflective solar cooker uses the Sun’s energy to cook marshmallows. The target cooking area is the space where the light concentration is greatest. Never look directly at the Sun! It could damage your eyes. Don’t allow the cooker to reflect sunlight into your eyes.McDonald Observator

Equatorial Sundial

Introduction: One of astronomy’s first tools to measure the flow of time, a sundial is simply a stick that casts a shadow on a face marked with units of time. As Earth spins, the shadow sweeps across the face. There are many types of sundials; an equatorial sundial is easy to make and teaches fundamental astronomical concepts. The face of the sundial represents the plane of Earth’s equator, and the stick represents Earth’s spin axis.McDonald Observator

Shadow Play

Introduction: Everyone and everything has a shadow. Shadows illustrate how threedimensional objects can be viewed in two dimensions. Younger students can learn about the Sun’s relative motion in the sky as they experiment with shadows.McDonald Observator

Coma Clusters of Galaxies

Introduction: Students learn the basics of galaxy classification and grouping, then use Hubble Space Telescope images to discover the 'morphology-density effect' and make hypotheses about its causes.McDonald Observator