Parallax
When it comes to observing stars, our eyes have their limitations. Take a look at how astronomers combat these limits and accurately measure the distances between celestial bodies.
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More About This Resource...
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Students learn about parallax in this Moveable Museum unit, in which they use the same mathematical techniques to calculate the height of an object. The eight-page PDF guide includes:
- Educator materials—general background readings, activity notes, step-by-step directions, a Data Sheet and a Tangent Table, and an astrolabe template.
- Demonstrating Parallax procedure—students learn about parallax and the limitations of human eyes by observing their thumb.
- Making the Astrolabe, Measuring the Angle and Baseline, and Calculating the Distance procedures—students construct a simple astrolabe and calculate the height of a pole or building using the mathematical techniques involved in stellar parallax.
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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 9-12:
Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry
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
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Learning Standard
National Science Education Standards
Grades 9-12:
Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry
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
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