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Stellar Temperature Measurement
Detailed Learning Objectives


Learning goals of lesson segments

General Facts and Information about the Sun

    students should be able to:

  • Describe the Sun in general terms:
    • Position
    • Major parts (internal structure) of the Sun
    • Other physical properties
    • Temperatures of various regions

Exploring Temperature
Development of Thermometers
Thermal Radiation and Equilibrium

    students should be able to:

  • Describe how a star's temperature is determined, using the Sun as an example
    • Defining temperature
    • The Sun's composition
    • The Sun's power source
  • Relate temperature to the emission spectrum of a star
    • Electromagnetic radiation
    • Continuum spectroscopy
    • Determining temperatures of stars
    • Solar research missions

Temperature Scales

    students should be able to:

  • Describe and use various temperature scales
    • Celsius
    • Fahrenheit
    • Kelvin

Hertzspring-Russel Diagrams

    students should be able to:

  • Classify the Sun and other stars by spectral type
  • Construct an HR diagram from stars of known spectral type and luminosity
  • Determine a star's temperature and/or luminosity from its location on the HR diagram.

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