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American Museum of Natural History

Focal Point

focal-point_thumb

What is a telescope's focal point, and why is knowing its location so important to astronomers? Grab a flashlight, an empty soda bottle, and a few other supplies; then find out.


Focal Point



  • More About This Resource...

    • Learn about the variations of white light in this Moveable Museum unit. The three-page PDF guide includes:

      • Educator materials—general background readings, activity notes, step-by-step directions, and information about where to obtain supplies.
      • Procedure—students discover the location of a mirror's focal point using readily available supplies.

    • Completion Time

      Less than a week

    • 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

      Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

      • understandings about science and technology

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor• nature of science

      Grades 9-12:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • interactions of energy and matter

      Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

      • abilities of technological design• understandings about science and technology

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor• nature of scientific knowledge

    • 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

      Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

      • understandings about science and technology

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor• nature of science

      Grades 9-12:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • interactions of energy and matter

      Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

      • abilities of technological design• understandings about science and technology

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor• nature of scientific knowledge