Introduction

Scope & Sequence

Course Outlines

Resources

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Each activity or resource is labeled by access mode:

	Requires computer access
	Requires downloading from the Web
	Non-electronic
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Main Topics & Concepts

• NASA Space Science follows four research themes
• Space-based data play a role in most areas of astronomy today.
• New missions are always testing our technological abilities

Standards

This topic applies to California state standards 2d in 9th grade Earth Science. 

Science Probe Text

SP I: 15.2 Tools of the Modern Astronomer, Satellites, Space Probes, and Computers.

Activities & Lessons

*Science Education Gateway

Activity	Access	Description
Spectra From Space   SEGway* and Exploratorium		Study different space astronomy missions and do hands-on activities that help illustrate how they work at different wavelengths.
The EUVE Guest Investigator Puzzle SEGway*		Students determine the stellar types of mystery stars using satellite spectra in the extreme ultraviolet.
Design a Spacecraft to Look for Life on Europa NASA Quest/Galileo		A technology challenge, with goals for the mission, supporting information about the necessary tests and conditions on Jupiter's moon. Europa is a candidate for supporting life, as it is thought to contain water.
CHANDRA: To Build a Satellite NASA/Chandra mission		The class studies, then simulates, the building of the Chandra satellite, using specifications, blueprints, and model kits supplied on-line. The activity incorporates the mathematics of ratios and scale through the use of drawings to build a model.

 

Resources

Resources	Access	Description
Space Science Missions NASA Office of Space Science		Complete list from the NASA department that spearheads innovative space astrophysics
Planetary and remote sensing mission sites NASA/JPL		Use this page to access sites on past and present exploratory missions within the solar system. Later missions have their own Education pages
Genesis Education JPL/Genesis Mission		Click on Education at the bottom of the Mission site's banner image. A number of activities on element chemistry and elemental abundances, in keeping with the knowledge scientists hope to glean from sampling the solar wind. Great tie-ins between sun/stars and cosmology
Hubble Site HST		News, image galleries, discoveries, more education materials, and quick games.
Chandra's Proud Parent NASA/Chandra mission		Harvey Tananbaum, X-Ray astronomy pioneer, tours the ins and outs of his Chandra "Great Observatory." Small format, but the explanations of how the satellite works are excellent.
Skyview Virtual Observatory; Non-astronomer Page NASA/GSFC		Site assembles images of a single source in many wavelength regimes. Many objects can be specified by common names instead of celestial coordinates.