Girl Scouts “Exploring the Universe” Training Workshop

November 14-18, 2003

Astronomical Search for Origins

Please visit NASA’s Space Science Education Resource Directory at http://teachspacescience.org to find additional resources on these and other space science topics.

Exploring the Origins of Galaxies, Planets, Stars, and Life

Scientists in NASA’s Astronomical Search for Origins program use visible and “invisible” light to understand how today’s universe of galaxies, stars, planets, and life came to be.  This section of activities will give participants an opportunity to explore Hubble Space Telescope images of galaxies and to gain experience with underlying science concepts and process skills.  Hear how other Origins missions build on the legacy of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Group the Galaxies

Participants will examine Hubble Space Telescope images of galaxies, creating their own categories and classifications.  They compare their classification systems to those of astronomers. 

http://amazing-space.stsci.edu (in development)

Ages: grades 2-8

            Hubble Deep Field Galaxy Search

This activity uses the huge number of galaxies found in the Hubble Deep Fields to introduce the vastness of space and to reinforce the concept that galaxies have recognizable shapes. Participants find examples of three types of galaxies observed in the Hubble Deep Field and explore how the universe has changed over time. 

http://amazing-space.stsci.edu (see Hubble Deep Field Academy under Online Explorations for an online version)

Ages: grades 2-8

“Invisible” Light: A Fundamental Tool in Our Search

The light that we see with our eyes represents only a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.  Developing tools to detect “invisible” forms of light has had a tremendous impact on our daily lives and our understanding of the universe.  Activities will give hands-on experience with the forms of light used by Origins missions (ultraviolet, visible, and infrared).

Detecting Infrared Light: The Herschel Experiment

In this outdoors activity, the participants use glass prisms and thermometers to detect infrared energy just beyond the red end of the visible spectrum.  This experiment is similar to the one the famous astronomer Sir Frederick William Herschel originally used to discover infrared light in 1800.

http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/classroom_activities/herschel_experiment.html

Ages: middle and high school grade levels

Logistics: must be done outside, needs a sunny day, works best close to noon

Active Astronomy

In these hands-on activities, participants use simple devices to explore the properties of visible and infrared light.

http://sofia.arc.nasa.gov/Edu/materials/activeAstronomy/activeAstronomy.html

·        Sensing the Invisible – Participants use a simple photocell (solar cell) detector to detect different colors of light in a spectrum. Then they use the solar cell to detect the presence of light just beyond the red portion of the visible spectrum, even though there is no color visible. Participants learn that "invisible light" exists and that we can detect this light with instruments other than our eyes.

·        Listening to Light – Explore how a photocell (solar cell) can be used to detect the presence of light. Participants then learn how the photocell reacts to light from remote controls, and see that information can be transmitted by visible and infrared light.

Ages: middle and high school grade levels

Logistics: indoor activity in a room that can be completely darkened

Detecting Ultraviolet Light: The Ritter Experiment

Participants will use glass prisms, blueprint paper, and household ammonia to perform a version of the experiment of 1801, in which ultraviolet light was first discovered by Johann Wilhelm Ritter. 

http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/classroom_activities/ritter_experiment.html

Ages: middle and high school grade levels

Logistics: must be done outside, needs a sunny day, works best close to noon

The Search for Planets: Do other Earth-like Planets Exist?

The Origins program uses innovative techniques to collect and analyze light to search for terrestrial size planets around other stars.  In hands-on activities, participants gain an understanding of the similarities and differences between our solar system and other planetary systems and how we can detect planets around other stars.

Why Do We Put Telescopes in Space?

Participants will explore how the atmosphere limits our ability to view the heavens from the surface of Earth and the benefits of placing telescopes in space.  They will investigate simulated atmospheric conditions using a mock telescope. 

http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov (in development)

Ages: Ages 6 and up

How Do We Find Planets Around Other Stars?

Discover how we can tell the difference between stars that do and do not have planets.  Using a variety of demonstration materials, participants will explore methods that scientists use to detect planets around other stars.

http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov (in development)

Ages: Ages 10 and up

Detecting Planet Transits

When we are able to observe a planet move in front of a star, the event is called a transit.  Participants will model observations of planetary transits by standing in a circle with a model star in the center, and observing a marble planet orbiting the star.

http://www.kepler.arc.nasa.gov (in development)

Ages: grades 4-8

Logistics: inside activity, may wish to darken room

The Search for Life: Does Life Exist Elsewhere in the Universe?

The Origins program brings together researchers from many fields in the new discipline of astrobiology.  Astrobiologists seek to understand what life is, where life exists, and where life might be found.  Future Origins missions will be designed to detect the signatures of life in the light from other planetary systems.  Explore the possibilities for finding life elsewhere through hands-on activities.

What Types of Stars are in our Universe?

A large (2m x 2m) plot of 100 colored stars is assembled by students to study the color, temperature, and age relationships between stars as well as their frequency in stellar populations.  Identify stars that could have habitable planetary systems.

http://astrobio.terc.edu/Activities/activities.html

Ages: middle/high school

Chemical Detective

Learn how scientists play the role of “chemical detectives” by using the technique of spectroscopy to separate light into its component wavelengths.  See how to use the properties of light to identify chemical elements, and learn how scientists will detect signatures of life on other planets.  http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/science_teacher.php?category_ID=88&news_story_ID=48612

Ages: middle/high school

Logistics: inside activity, needs a dark room