Building a Simple Refracting Telescope
What could Galileo see when he looked through his telescope? Build a refracting telescope with lenses similar to the ones he used, and see the answer for yourself.
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More About This Resource...
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Students learn about refracting telescopes in this Moveable Museum unit, in which they construct a simple telescope. The three-page PDF guide includes:
- Educator materials—general background readings, activity notes, step-by-step directions, and information about where to obtain supplies.
- A Telescopic View procedure, whichdemonstrates how light passes through the first lens and is bent (or refracted) to a focal point.
- A Simple Refracting Telescope procedure, which demonstrates how to construct a telescope and use it to view distant objects.
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Completion Time
Less than a week
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Topic
Astronomy -
Subtopic
Tools and Methods -
Subtopic
National Science Education Standards
Grades 5-8:
Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• understanding about scientific inquiry
Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B:
• transfer of energy
Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D:
• earth in the solar system
Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:
• understandings about science and technology
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F:
• science and technology in society
History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
• science as a human endeavor• nature of science• history of science
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Learning Standard
National Science Education Standards
Grades 5-8:
Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• understanding about scientific inquiry
Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B:
• transfer of energy
Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D:
• earth in the solar system
Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:
• understandings about science and technology
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F:
• science and technology in society
History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
• science as a human endeavor• nature of science• history of science
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