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Pasco County StarLab Training Mark Butler Environmental Education Resource Teacher Curriculum & Instruction

Tonight's Agenda Introduction Instructional Ideas –Constellations Constellation Education Star Finders/Dipper Finders “Constellation Creation” “The Changing Sky (Circumpolar Constellations)” –Lunar Phases Moon Matriculation “How does the moon change phase?” –Tides –StarLab Setup & Takedown Safety –Operating Procedures Common Misconceptions

ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? Activity Please click on the “StarLab Pretest” and quietly answer as many questions as you can.

The ConnectionConstellation Education

What did the ancient people use stars (patterns of stars) for? Navigation – sailing, travel Seasons – when to plant and harvest Preserve myths, traditions, etc Group the brighter stars into patterns, - constellations

Patterns of stars Boundaries

Constellation One of the 88 named Regions of sky defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Identified with the officially recognized Patterns of Stars that lie within the boundaries of the region

What are the 88 Constellations? o14 men and women o9 birds o19 land animals o2 insects o10 water creatures o2 centaurs o1 head of hair o1 serpent o1 dragon o1 flying horse o1 river o29 inanimate objects, include scientific instruments (Microscopium, Telescopium)

CONSTELLATION CREATION Activity Please take out your Constellation Creation Activity

ORION

CANIS MAJOR

LEO MAJOR

TAURUS

CASSIOPEIA

8/25/ Asterism A generally recognized smaller/cuter pattern of stars that is not one of the officially recognized constellations Whether or not a region of sky is named after it – yes: constellation; no: asterism

What are Circumpolar Constellations?

Circumpolar Constellations A Constellation that NEVER rises or sets as seen at a certain latitude Six circumpolar constellations seen in Pasco (28º N, 82º W) –Ursa Major – Larger Bear –Ursa Minor – Smaller bear –Cassiopeia – Queen –Cepheus – King –Draco – Dragon –Camelopardalis – The Giraffe

Circumpolar Constellations in Pasco Ursa MajorUrsa Minor Cassiopeia Cepheus Draco Camelopardalis

THE CHANGING SKY (CIRCUMPOLAR CONSTELLATIONS) Please take out your sun and Cassiopeia drawing. Follow Me! ACTIVITY

Resources Workshop CD Pasco StarLab Moodle Site Websites: – – – – – Especially space.stsci.edu/tonights_sky/index.phphttp://amazing- space.stsci.edu/tonights_sky/index.php – Books –Constellations Dot-To-Dot –Astronomy & More (StarLab Manual)

Lunar Phases

NEW MOON 1 ST PHASE –No light to illuminate moon (as long as it is above or below the earth and sun) SUN

WAXING vs WANING When parts of the moon begin to be seen after a New Moon, the moon is said to be WAXING. When parts of the moon begin to disappear after a Full Moon, the moon is said to be WANING.

WAXING CRESCENT 2 nd PHASE –Some light to illuminate a small portion of the moon SUN

FIRST QUARTER 3 rd PHASE –Enough light to illuminate half of the moon SUN

WAXING GIBBOUS 4 th PHASE –Enough light to illuminate most of the moon (a little is blocked by the Earth) SUN

FULL MOON 5 th PHASE –Enough light to illuminate ALL of the moon (as long as it is above or below the earth and sun) SUN

LUNAR ECLIPSE If the moon is in line with the earth and sun then a LUNAR ECLIPSE occurs. –The Earth casts its shadow on the moon SUN

WANING GIBBOUS 6 th PHASE –Enough light to illuminate most of the moon (a little is blocked by the Earth) SUN

THIRD QUARTER 7 th PHASE –Enough light to illuminate half of the moon SUN

WANING CRESCENT 8 th PHASE –Some light to illuminate a small portion of the moon SUN

NEW MOON –the lunar cycle is complete 1 ST PHASE –No light to illuminate moon (as long as it is above or below the earth and sun) –If not then…… SUN

SOLAR ECLIPSE If the moon is between the Earth and sun and in line with both then a SOLAR ECLIPSE occurs. The moon casts its shadow on the earth SUN

Teaching Tides

Overview Components Setup and Takedown Procedures Entry & Exit Procedures Operational Procedures Safety

StarLab Components 1.Lamp 2.Lamp Case 3.Canister 4.Duffle Bag 5.Blower/Fan 6.Canister Case 7.Curriculum Guide 11.Accessory Box

Constellation Canister Greek Mythology Canister

Native American Mythology Canister Plate Tectonics Canister

Celestial Coordinates Canister A full projection of 3000 stars are displayed here against a background of the celestial coordinates, the ecliptic and the galactic equator. Right ascension is marked in 1 hour intervals, declination at 10° intervals, with processional axis plus or minus 13,000 year increments. Extremely useful for angular measurement, location of faint celestial objects and spherical geometry. Applications: Physics, telescope use, positional astronomy, celestial navigation and precession at the junior high through college level.

StarLab Accommodations Standard Dome –11ft Ceiling 10ft possible –Area 18’ x 21’ –Floor Carpet –Room Noise –Minimal Light –NA Temperature –Normal –Electricity

Safety Procedures No open flame or point heat source such as an incandescent light bulb, radiant heater in or near the dome. No smoking in or near the dome. No food or drink inside the STARLAB. Never leave projection cylinders lying loose on the floor. Always set up the STARLAB indoors. Instructor is first in and last out. Always make sure that there is a clear path out of the STARLAB in the event of an emergency. Never set up the dome so that it is on the edge of a stage where individuals might fall off. Always show occupants how to quickly exit underneath the dome wall in the event of an emergency. Do not use the entrance tunnel to evacuate the dome in the event of an emergency.

Emergency Procedures Have all visitors stand up and move toward the center of the dome. Grasp the edge of the dome fabric directly opposite the side of the STARLAB where the inflation and entrance tubes are located. Lift the fabric up and over the visitors so the dome flips over onto itself. Exit the collapsing dome.

StarLab Setup 10 to 30 minutes –if completely packed up Check for Squares!

Projector Setup Use Storage Box Cover Cords Be prepared –Have all canisters ready

Tips to Entering & Exiting Stay Low and Go Slow Teacher is first in & last out –2 Teachers is ideal Have a flashlight and use it 5 second rule Accessory lighting? Carpet Squares?

Tips For Inside the Dome Stay Put Dark Vision –Warn students before switching canisters or turning on a light Don’t block fan input

Things to watch for Vertigo Claustrophobia Myctophobia/Nyctop hobia/Scotophobia Inappropriate Behavior/Clothing Sharp Objects