Astronomy Tools and The Moon

UNIT 11STANDARDS: NCES 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4,

1.1.5, 2.1.1

LESSON 2

Lesson Objectives

In this lesson, you will learn about:– How light and telescopes are used to explore the

sky– Unmanned Space Missions– Man’s Quest for the Moon and Beyond– How to consider the formation of the moon

Astronomy

Astronomy studies the stars and planets. Since the stars and planets are far away, the

astronomer needs a tool to bring the image closer to study.

Remember telescopes also serve to warn us of meteors or asteroids that may pass close to Earth.

Telescopes

“Energy” Sources

Telescope Benefits

All objects in space emit energy.

Able to be modified to see different spectrum of energy.

Can record distant objects they view. Allow astronomers to use specialized

equipment to study the stars. Can make time exposures like a

camera. Generates a series of pictures to study the changes.

Reflecting and Refracting Telescopes

Reflecting Refracting Best places

Image focused by a mirror Image focused by a lens On mountains away from city lights

Satellites and Probes

Satellites

Probes

Devices placed into Earth’s low level orbit to study space.

Held in place by Earth’s gravity Used for weather, communications,

science Hubble Space Telescope is most famous

These are objects launched at other planets or bodies in space to send back data to Earth.

Famous Spacecraft (VIEW ALL VIDEOS)

Explorer 1 Pathfinder Spirit & Op

portunity Voyager New Horizo

ns Maven

1958-Present First launch. To study Earth. 1996 Mars Planet Exploration with Rover 2003 Twin rovers to study Mars

– Spirit stuck, Opportunity continues to send data

1977 Has passed out of our Solar System 2006 Launched to study space near Pluto Discovered first dwarf planet Nov 2013 Sent to study Mars

Human Space flight (Watch Videos)

Mercury Gemini Apollo Sky Lab Shuttle International

Space Station

NASA’s first man in space Worked on docking NASA’s lunar landings Science station orbiting Earth Replacement to Apollo Missions Current space station, multinational

Section Review 11.2.1

Compare and contrast reflecting and refracting telescopes.

Why are satellites and probes important for space exploration?

Describe the development of unmanned space missions beyond the moon.

Describe the development of manned space exploration.

The Moon

The moon has always been the nearest space body to the Earth.

Man has always seen the moon and began to understand the phases of the moon.

1961 Russia launches Sputnik. The “Space Race’ was on.

President John Kennedy promised to put a man on the moon before the end of the decade.

July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong becomes the first human to step onto the moon.

The Lunar Surface

Albedo

No atmosphere

Surface Impact Craters

Composition

The amount of light the moon’s surface reflects

With no atmosphere, the sun can heat the moon to 127oC or allow it to cool to –173oC.

There is no erosion on the moon. The moon is covered with impact

craters formed when meteors or asteroids hit the surface.

Composed of the same minerals on Earth

Formation Theories

The moon is not tectonically active.

Capture Theory. The moon was trapped by the Earth’s gravity and formed. NO same composition as the Earth

Simultaneous Theory. Formed at the same time as the Earth. No differences in iron.

Earth Spit.A large Mars size object impacted with the Earth (4.5 BYA).

The 2 objects merged. The moon was thrown

off or spit out of the Earth’s outer layers. The gases condensed to form the moon.

Earth Impact Theory

Section Review 11.2.2

Compare and contrast reflecting and refracting telescopes.

Why are satellites and probes important for space exploration?

Describe the development of unmanned space missions beyond the moon.

Describe the development of manned space exploration.

Discuss a possible theory for the formation of the moon.