We provide an Introduction to Astronomy and the Constellations DVD with our kits. The DVD is designed for children between ages 4 and 10, and provides an introduction to some basic concepts in astronomy, as well as discussing pertinent aspects of science, history, mythology and ancient cultures. It includes instructions for using the star chart to find the constellations, and using the astronomer's flashlight to preserve your night vision. Both come with your kit. Some chapters have exercises that parents might want to try with their children, and several chapters include further research topics that more advanced students may want to pursue. When new words are introduced in a chapter, they are defined at the beginning of that chapter. Here is a clip from the DVD:
Below is the course outline:
Introdution to Astronomy and the Constellations
by Shefali O'Hara, November 2008
Words introduced: Astronomy
Chapter Two: What is Astronomy?
- What is Astronomy?
- Why did ancient people study it?
- What cultures studied it?
- How does it relate to other Sciences, like Physics and Biology?
Words introduced: Stars, Planet, Galaxy, Meteor, Comet
Research Topic: Ancient Cultures
Research Topic: Magnetic Fields
Research Topic: Astrobiology – it’s all Greek to me
Chapter Three: Why do Stars Come Out at Night?
- Are the stars there in the daytime?
- Why do I see only a few stars in my backyard?
Words introduced: Pupil (of the eye).
Chapter Four: What are Constellations?
- What are Constellations?
- Why do heavenly maps make it easier to find the stars?
- Greek stories, Roman names
Words introduced: Constellation, Latin, Archeology, Cuneiform
Research Topic: The
Research Topic: Homer and Archimedes
Research Topic:
Chapter Five: Ursa Major and Ursa Minor
Discussion of Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, the Big and Little Dippers, the Pointer Stars and Polaris, the North Star
Words introduced: asterism
Research Topic: Latin
Research Topic: Asterisms
Research Topic: Greek mythology
Chapter Six: The Movement of the Stars
- Why do the stars move?
- Understanding the movement of the Earth around the Sun
- The Cycle of the Seasons
- Why does the North Star always point North?
Words introduced: Earth’s rotation, revolution, orbit
Research Topic: Earth’s orbit
Research Topic: Southern Constellations
Chapter Seven: Draco the Dragon
- Finding the Dragon in the sky
- Hearing the myth about Draco
- Practice recognizing the pattern of stars
Research Topic: Other myths about Draco
Chapter Eight: Hercules the Hero
- Finding Hercules in the sky
- The myths about Hercules – his twelve labors
- Practice recognizing the pattern of stars
Chapter Nine: Cassiopeia, the Queen
- Finding the Cassiopeia in the sky
- Other constellations related to Cassiopeia – Cepheus, Andromeda, Perseus, Pegasus, and the asterism, the Whale
Research Topic: Constellations and Seasons
Research Topic: King Solomon and the Queen of
Research Topic: Do the Constellations change over the centuries?
Chapter Ten: Leo the Lion, Cancer the Crab and Gemini, the Twins
- Finding Leo, Cancer and Gemini
- The myths about these constellations
- The path of the planets and sun in the sky
- Discovery of Uranus and Pluto
- Practice finding these constellations
Words introduced: ecliptic
Research Topic: The paths of the planets around the sun
Research Topic: Why are some stars brighter than others?
Chapter Eleven: Orion the Hunter
- Finding the Orion in the sky
- Hearing the myth about Orion
- Betelgeuse
- Practice recognizing the pattern of stars
Words introduced: nebulae
Research Topic: Nebulae – Orion’s belt, the Horsehead Nebulae
Chapter Twelve: Cygnus the Swan
- Finding the Cygnus in the sky
- Deneb, Northern Cross
- Hearing the myth about Cygnus
- Practice recognizing the pattern of stars
Chapter Thirteen: Conclusion
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