1. National Science Olympiad Astronomy Event – 2019
State Directors & Event Supervisors Guide
Stellar Evolution in Normal & Starburst Galaxies

2. Sponsored by the NASA Astrophysics Division
Universe of Learning STEM Outreach Program

3. Astronomy C Event 2019 & Stellar Evolution Webinars
chandra.si.edu/edu/olympiad.html

4. ASTRONOMY, DIVISION C: Event Description - 2019
DESCRIPTION: Teams will demonstrate an understanding of stellar evolution in
Normal & Starburst Galaxies
A TEAM OF UP TO: APPROXIMATE
TIME: 50 minutes
EVENT PARAMETERS: Each team may bring two computers (of any kind), two 3-ring binders (any size) containing information in any form from any source, or one computer and one 3-ring binder. The materials must be inserted into the rings (notebook sleeves are permitted). Each team member is permitted to bring a programmable calculator. No internet access is allowed; however teams may be accessing a dedicated NASA data base.

5. relationship to calculate distances.
The Competition:
Using information which may include Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams, spectra, light curves, motions, cosmological distance equations and relationships, stellar magnitudes and classification, multi-wavelength images (X-ray, UV, optical, IR, radio), charts, graphs, animations and JS9 imaging analysis software, teams will complete activities and answer questions relating to:
a. Stellar evolution, including stellar classification, spectral features and chemical
composition, luminosity, blackbody radiation, color index and H-R diagram transitions,
star formation, Cepheids, RR Lyrae stars, Type Ia & Type II supernovas, neutron stars,
pulsars, stellar mass black holes, supermassive black holes, X-ray & gamma-ray binary
systems, ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs), globular clusters, stellar populations,
normal & starburst galaxies, galactic structure and interactions, gravitational waves.
b. Use Kepler’s laws, rotation and circular motion to answer questions relating to the
orbital motions of binary systems and galaxies; use parallax, spectroscopic parallax, the
distance modulus, the period-luminosity relationship, Hubble’s law, and the Tully-Fisher
relationship to calculate distances.
c. Identify and answer questions relating to the content areas outlined above for the
following objects: M51/NGC 5195, IC 10, SPT , M81/M82, SN2014J, Phoenix
Cluster, NGC 4993, 47 Tucanae/X9, Chandra Deep Field South, Cen A, M100,
Abell 400/NGC 1128 & 3C 75, Antannae Galaxies, ESO , Sagittarius A*

6. 2019 State Director/Event Supervisor Guide for Astronomy
Event Information:
Description: Teams will demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of
stellar evolution in normal & starburst galaxies
Rules:
• Rules are available from your State and/or Tournament Director.
• 2019 should appear at the bottom by the page number.
• Read the Event Parameters so you will know what resources students are allowed
to bring to the competition.
• Read the Event Description for current content and deep sky objects (DSOs) and
construct the test to target the content and DSOs described.
• Rules clarifications are available at under event information. If
you have questions about the rules, this site will provide you with answers.
Rotation: Every 1-2 years the specific focus changes; however, the general content
focus is always stellar evolution is the first year for star formation in normal
and starburst galaxies. The content is aligned with the NGSS standards. This topic
will be repeated for the 2020 competition year – only the DSOs will change.
Format: These events are usually a written test; however, image sets, charts and
graphs are used which requires room to spread out the materials.

7. Event Needs:
Room Type: A room with tables, or a lecture room with large table space. The teams
need room to spread out materials such as charts and graphs. Astronomy teams are
allowed to bring laptops, so there should be access to electrical outlets. If outlets are
not available, the teams should be told before the event so they will have time to
charge their laptops. There are 2 members per team and each team will have 2
laptops, or 2 binders, or a laptop and a binder plus the materials provided with the
test and adequate space is needed for the teams to spread out their materials and
work comfortably.
Helpers: There should be 2-3 helpers to proctor, keep track of the time, pass out the
materials before the event, collect the materials at the end of the event, and score.
Equipment: The event should be in a room with outlets for computers to be plugged
in as some teams may need an outlet.
Time Needed for Setup: It is a good idea to be in the room an hour before the event
in order to determine where the teams should sit. The event materials should be laid
out and upside down so teams can start working as soon as the event starts.

8. Preparation for Competition:
Time Line for Planning: You will need to know the number of teams that are
competing. Astronomy has 2 team members, and a complete set of materials is
needed for each team. Allow yourself time to prepare the questions, answer sheets
and answer keys, and print enough copies for the number of teams. Always have
enough extra copies in case a team has a missing page. Extra copies are also good
for proctors or scorers to use in case teams need any verification. If you are using
any technology make sure well in advance that it is working. Knowledgeable
proctors and scorers are invaluable. It is helpful to go over the test and answers
with all proctors and scorers before the event. Scorers should score the same set
of questions for all teams for consistency.
Organizing Content:
• The Science Olympiad website has rules clarifications and study
information for students which may be helpful to you in preparing for the event.
• Balance the content so it includes most of the material described in the Event
Description in the rules. Teams are expecting to see all of the topics in the rules
to be reflected in the competition. This is important for teams that will go on to
state and/or national competition.
• Develop questions that are easy to grade as the scoring needs to be completed
in time for event and team winners to be calculated for the awards ceremony.

9. Organizing Content Continued:
• Objective questions can be quickly graded. Some short answer questions can be
used as long as they are not subjective.
• Images, charts, and graphs should be used for identification of DSOs as well
as higher level questions (state level) involving synthesis of information from
different content areas.
• Some questions that require the application of different content and calculations
using a combination of charts, graphs and content should be incorporated at the
state level as well.
• Be sure that all questions, images, charts, and graphs are clearly numbered to avoid
any confusion in interpretation. Tests using the same numbering system as nationals
help teams that will be moving on to national competition.
• Tie-breakers should be pre-determined before the competition by assigning different
weights to selected questions. Weighting all questions in tie-breaking order
ensures that all ties will be easily broken.
Writing Questions:
• The content should not emphasize rote memorization. The majority of the event
should be inquiry based using process skills and 2-step/3-step problem solving
with the content as described in the rules. [PPT shows should not be used!]
• The best design for competition is a test that focuses on DSOs along with graphs
and/or data that requires both identification and interpretation skills. The webinar
on the Chandra website on Stellar Evolution for SO coaches/teams explains this.

10. MIT Invitational Test – 2018 Competition

11. MIT Invitational Test – 2018 Competition

12. Golden Gate Invitational & Vermont State Tests – 2018
Several Invitational, Regional & State Tests

13. National Science Olympiad
Resources: Coaches & Event Supervisors

15. Stellar Evolution Image Set:

18. Astronomy 2018 DS9/JS9 Question

19. Getting Started with JS9 Dhruva Karkada

20. Analyzing X-Ray Pulses From Stellar Cores

21. Ultraluminous X-Ray Sources in the Cartwheel Galaxy

23. Resources http://soinc.org chandra.harvard.edu
apod.nasa.gov

24. National Astronomy Event Supervisors:
Tad Komacek –
Donna L Young –
Connor Todd –
Rules clarifications:
available at under event information
Event Preparation:
Read the Event Description for content and allowable resources.
Use the Webinars (Chandra) and/or PowerPoints (NSO) for
an overview of the content topics, deep sky objects & resources.
3. Use the Astronomy Coaches Manuel (NSO) and the Chandra
education website as a guide for background information.
4. Use the resources listed in the event description for images and
content.

25. Event Preparation Continued:
5. The Astronomy 2017 and 2018 events focused on Type Ia and Type
II supernovas. For those who did not participate in the Astronomy
event those two years, studying these tests will help with the stellar
evolution content.
6. The Stellar Evolution resources discussed in the presentation are all
useful for learning about stellar evolution. Webinars have been posted
on the Chandra website to describe how to use the cards, as
well as a webinar posted with the Astronomy and Solar System called
Stellar Evolution for Science Olympiad Coaches and Teams.
7. YouTube has many videos related to the Astronomy 2019 content.
8. Invitationals.
9. Tests from invitationals and other competitions will be posted on
the NSO website before March for teams to use for practice.
10. Scioly test exchange