1. Break On Through To The Other Side! WebQuest
Essential Understandings
Essential Question
Guidelines
Student Missions
Telescopes (4) Satellites (1) Space Probes (4) Spectroscopes (2)
Assessment
Conclusion
Standards
Citations
An Exploratory WebQuest
Designed by – Mariana K. Rouse
SC Standards Addressed: : Tools of technology used by scientists to explore space
8-6.8: The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

2. Essential Understandings
Tools of technology are used on a daily basis by scientists wanting to know more about our universe. In this WebQuest, we will be exploring the internet in order to enhance our knowledge about the tools scientists use to observe and gather data from space. These tools include: telescopes, satellites, probes, and spectroscopes. The information gathered through the use of these instruments helps scientists form deeper understandings of the universe.
In addition to researching these tools, there will be a brief introduction of the electromagnetic spectrum.

3. WebQuest Essential Question
How have scientists used technology to expand their knowledge of the universe?

4. Guidelines You will work as an individual on this WebQuest
Answer sheet provided to complete the assigned tasks
Estimated length to complete WebQuest: 3 class periods
Assessed: Worth 150 points

5. Now it’s time to… BREAK ON THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE… of our universe!

6. Your First Mission: TELESCOPES
Task #1: How telescopes “see”
Read the information on telescopes.
Answer the following questions on your answer sheet:
What is a major concern for creating lenses and mirrors for telescopes?
Which is best for studying the light from distant objects? Why?

7. Your First Mission: TELESCOPES
Task #2: Cosmic Colors
Read the information provided.
Click on the telescope images on the right side and review the information provided on each.
Click the link for the Cosmic Colors activity and follow the provided directions.
Write down the name of each object you observe.
For each object:
Which of the images shown is the most interesting to you?
What is the name of the telescope that got that specific image?
For more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, click on the picture to the right

8. Your First Mission: TELESCOPES
Task #3: Fun with Infrared
Complete the activity on infrared radiation.
How can infrared technologies be used to learn more about objects in our solar system?

9. Your First Mission: TELESCOPES
Hubble Space Telescope
James Webb Space Telescope
Task #4: Webb vs. Hubble Telescope
Read through the introduction.
Navigate through the article reading about wavelength, size, orbit, and length of sight.
Create a Venn Diagram in the provided space to organize the information you’ve learned about the two space telescopes.

10. Your Second Mission: SATELLITES
Define the term, “satellite”.
Give an example of a natural satellite
Give an example of an artificial satellite.
NASA’s GRAIL Mission
In the left margin, click on “Mission Overview.” Read and answer the following questions.
What does “GRAIL” mean?
How many satellites are involved in this mission?
What is the main objective of this mission?
In the left margin, click on “Launch”. Read and answer the following questions.
When was GRAIL launched? From where?
When was GRAIL-A scheduled to reach the moon? GRAIL-B?
In the left margin, click on “Multimedia”.
Scan through the Image Gallery (24 images) and list the names of the 4 photos that interested you the most.

11. Your Third Mission: SPACE PROBES
Task #1: NASA
Visit the NASA website and read about space probes.
Create your own definition for “space probe.”

12. Your Third Mission: SPACE PROBES
Task #2: National Geographic Space Probe Photo Gallery
Hit “Next” on the bottom left of the black box twice to get to the “Image Gallery”.
Navigate through the images of the different space probes and complete the provided table organizing:
The probes
Where they went or will go
What their main objective was/is

13. Your Third Mission: SPACE PROBES
Task #3: Titan, Saturn’s largest moon
Answer the following questions based on the article about Titan.
What are the 2 probes that worked together to learn about Titan?
Summarize the main points discovered about Titan.
How long are the seasons on Titan?
Discuss qualities of Titan’s deserts and seas.
Why is the atmosphere so unusual?
Give qualities about Titan’s underground ocean.
On the right side of the page, go to view the Photojournal.
Favorite image of Titan?
Observations:
Why this image?

14. Your Third Mission: SPACE PROBES
Task #4: Time to Write
After completing these exercises, write at least one paragraph about the importance of space probes to scientists when learning about our universe.
Remember to use the correct format for your paragraph: topic sentence, concrete details, commentary and a closing statement.

15. Your Fourth Mission: SPECTROSCOPES
Task #1: Decoding Cosmic Spectra
Launch the Interactive Activity found in the center of the page.
Follow the instructions provided on the left side of the activity
Match the blue question mark with the correct number below to determine elements present.
List the 4 astronomical objects observed.
Answer the following questions for EACH object.
What type of spectra was used? (found in description after each object’s elements have been determined)
What elements were present based on the information from the spectra provided?

16. Assessment WebQuest Answer Sheet Worth 150 total points
Telescopes: 50 total points
Satellites: 14 total points
Space Probes: 46 total points
Spectroscopes: 20 total points
Completion of all assigned missions: 20 possible points
Worth 150 total points
CHECK OVER YOUR WORK!

17. Your Exploration Has Been a SUCCESS!!!!
WOOHOO!!!! You did it!
After completing this WebQuest, you should have a working knowledge of the types of technology scientists are using to explore the great unknown, our universe.
If you have any further questions,
write them on your Assessment page.

18. Standards
8-4.10: Compare the purposes of the tools and the technology that scientists use to study space (including various types of telescopes, satellites, space probes, and spectroscopes).
8-6.8: Compare the wavelength and energy of waves in various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum (visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation).

19. Citations http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/telescope-mirrors/en/