Astronomy Without A Telescope Activities For Year 11 Physics Paul Fitz-Gerald Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School STAV Physics Teacher’s Conference Feb. 15th 2008 Paul Fitz-Gerald Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School STAV Physics Teacher’s Conference Feb. 15th 2008 “Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another” - Plato (428 BC BC)

Students are encouraged to think of themselves as ancient astronomers.

Introductory Question Sheet explore student’s current understanding of celestial movement in our solar system. Introductory Question Sheet explore student’s current understanding of celestial movement in our solar system.

Sun Shadow Watching With A Simple Sundial What can be learnt from this activity? Sun Shadow Watching With A Simple Sundial What can be learnt from this activity?

local midday geographical North/South line local magnetic declination local latitude Earth’s diameter via Eratosthenes local midday geographical North/South line local magnetic declination local latitude Earth’s diameter via Eratosthenes

RMIT Eratosthenes Project 2008 Contact: Dr. Alex Merchant RMIT Eratosthenes Project 2008 Contact: Dr. Alex Merchant

Solar Scope watch the movement of a projected image of the sun Solar Scope watch the movement of a projected image of the sun

Sidereal Scope measure the time it takes the Earth to rotate once about its axis. 23 hrs 56 min 36 sec Mill Park Jan hrs 56 min 27 sec Kinglake Jan choose a bright star near the celestial equator for fastest angular motion. Sidereal Scope measure the time it takes the Earth to rotate once about its axis. 23 hrs 56 min 36 sec Mill Park Jan hrs 56 min 27 sec Kinglake Jan choose a bright star near the celestial equator for fastest angular motion.

Star Trail Photos camera pointed at celestial pole use the star trail photo to determine latitude length of photographic exposure time of shutter opening/closure use of R.A. & declination for star positions Star Trail Photos camera pointed at celestial pole use the star trail photo to determine latitude length of photographic exposure time of shutter opening/closure use of R.A. & declination for star positions

Moon Observations extended period of observations geometry of S, M & E motion length of lunar month Moon Observations extended period of observations geometry of S, M & E motion length of lunar month

Astrowatch Simple daytime sundial Southern Cross time at night

References: Electronic copies of all documents Can be found on the DVD. This includes scans of star maps, star trails, map of Victoria, sundial compass rose and articles from the Physics Teacher. References: Electronic copies of all documents Can be found on the DVD. This includes scans of star maps, star trails, map of Victoria, sundial compass rose and articles from the Physics Teacher.

My contact details: My contact details:

Thanks Steve!