1. Reach for the Stars Presented by Linder Winter
National Event Supervisor
E-S Rules Committee Chair

2. Part I: Basic Event Information
Reach for the Stars
Part I: Basic Event Information

3. Description
Students will demonstrate an understand-ing and basic knowledge of the properties and evolution of sun-sized and massive stars, open clusters and globular clusters, and normal and star-forming galaxies.

4. Note:
“Reach for the Stars” is now solely a “stars” event and, as such, will no longer include:
1. location and identification of planets on star charts, etc.
2. the term “zodiac” to avoid the pseudo-science of astrology.
3. or references to asterisms.

5. Event Parameters
The only resource permitted is one 8.5” x 11.5” single or double-sided sheet of computer-generated or handwritten notes per team. Notes may include graphics, tables, and/or text.

6. Event Parameters
Suggested information to include on the resource sheet for each star:
a. Name. Example. Sol
b. Classification. G2V
c. Evolutionary stage. Main sequence
d. Constellation
e. RA/Declination, i.e. location
f. Unique characteristics, if any

7. Event Parameters
Suggested information to include on the resource sheet for each Deep Sky Object:
a. Name
b. Constellation
c. Messier number, i.e. M1, M13, etc.
d. Kind of object: SNR, Globular cluster, etc.
e. RA/Declination (for location)
f. Thumbnail image
g. Unique characteristics, if any

8. The Competition
The event is divided into two parts. Notes may be used in both parts.

9. The Competition
Part I: Participants will be asked to identify the stars, constellations, and deep sky objects included in the lists below as they appear on star charts, H-R diagrams, portable star labs, photos, or planetariums, and be knowledgeable about the evolutionary stages of all stars and deep sky objects. (Participants must bring a flashlight with a red filter and a clipboard unless they have been informed that the event will not take place in a planetarium or a portable star lab.)

10. Stars
The stars in the list were chosen to repre-sent the various stages in the lives of stars.
A few of the stars and deep sky objects on the list are not visible from the northern hemisphere. Example: there are no similar features to the Magellanic Clouds in the Northern skies.

11. Constellations Constellations have been included
1. for historical purposes.
2. for ease of locating specific objects in the sky.
3. and for those individuals who enjoy locating them and learning their accompanying tales.
Coaches should emphasize that constellations are imaginary groupings of stars with historical and literary importance, but limited scientific significance.

12. Stellar Classification
Standard means to record the classifi-cation of a star. Example: Earth’s sun = G2V
1. Letter of class – O, B, A, F, G, K, M
2. Temperature number – 0 to 9
3. Luminosity category – Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII (Not always included. It’s proper to refer to the sun as a G2 star.)

13. Spectral Classification
For Earth's star, Sol, a G2V star:
1. Class – G
2. Relatively hot – 2
3. Main sequence star – V

14. Stellar Classification
Each star class is divided into 10 sub-classes, ranging from 0 (hottest) to 9 (coolest).

15. Spectral Classification
Luminosity Classes are designated by Roman numerals I thru VII, in order of decreasing luminosity:
Ia (most luminous supergiants)
Ib (less luminous supergiants)
II (luminous giants)
III (normal giants)
IV (subgiants)
V (main sequence and dwarfs)
VI (subdwarfs) (VI stars are not always included.)
VII (white dwarfs) (VIII stars are not always included.)

16. Spectral Classification
The color of a star depends on its temperature
Red Stars are Cooler
Blue Stars are Hotter
Spectral Classification
Classify stars by their spectral lines
Spectral differences are due mostly to temperature, not composition.
Spectral Sequence (Temperature Sequence): O B A F G K M L T

17. Spectral Classification
The traditional mnemonics for remembering the spectral types are based on the old Harvard OBAFGKM system.
Harvard (1920s):
Oh Be A Fine Girl, Kiss Me
Berkeley (late `60s):
Oh Buy A Fine Green Kilo Man
Caltech (late `70s):
On Bad Afternoons Fermented Grapes Keep Mrs. Richard Nixon Smiling

18. Part II: Information for Students
Reach for the Stars
Part II: Information for Students

19. Stellar Evolution of Stars
Formation in a stellar nursery … through birth … each life stage … and final product – (white dwarf, neutron star, black hole).

21. H-R Diagram

22. Star Clusters: Definition
Gravitationally-bound collection of stars that formed from the same gas cloud.

23. Image: WIYN Telescope, Kitt Peak
Open Clusters
1. Contain a few (typically tens to thousands of) young stars
2. Individual stars are easily resolved
Image: WIYN Telescope, Kitt Peak

24. Open Clusters 4. Stars within open clusters eventually disperse.
3. Open clusters are collections of hot, recently formed stars found preferentially in the spiral arms of the galaxy.
4. Stars within open clusters eventually disperse.
Credit: AURA, NOAO, NSF

25. Image: Hubble Space Telescope
Globular Clusters
1. Are found in the haloes of galaxies
2. Contain from tens of thousands to millions of ancient stars crowded into a more or less spherical volume of space.
Image: Hubble Space Telescope

26. Image: Sonoita Observatories
Globular Clusters
3. Their central density is sufficiently high that individual stars cannot be resolved from earth-based telescopes
Image: Sonoita Observatories

27. Spiral Galaxies
1. Disk-shaped, usually with a bulge at the center and arms spiraling outwards
2. Tend to contain more middle-aged stars along with clouds of gas and dust
The spiral galaxy NGC 1309

28. Image courtesy Richard Crisp
Spiral Galaxies
Spiral galaxies contain large concentrations of gas and dust.
The spiral arms are waves of star formation swirling around the galaxy.
New stars are hot and bright. They light up the gas and dust in the arms.
Image courtesy Richard Crisp

29. Elliptical Galaxies
1. Contain older stars and very little gas and dust
2. Can be different shapes ranging from round, to flattened, elongated spheres.
3.Orbits of stars within elliptical galaxies are in random directions
NOAO/AURA/NSF

30. Eliptical Galaxies
Elliptical galaxies contain modest amounts of cool and warm gas, though not as much as found in spiral galaxies
There are generally not enough gases to support much star formation.
The Giant Elliptical, M87

31. Galactic Types & Structure
Irregular galaxies
1. Poorly-defined structures
2. Have lots of young stars, dust and gas.
3.Show evidence of extensive star formation
Image courtesy of Richard Crisp.

32. Constellation: Andromeda
Deep Sky Object: Andromeda Galaxy M-31
Image © Noel Carbon

33. Constellation: Aquila
Star: Altair
Classification: A7V
Stellar Evolution: Main Sequence

34. Constellation: Auriga
Star: Capella
Classification: G5III+G0III
Stellar Evolution: Red Giant

35. Constellation: Bootes
Star: Arcturus – Brightest star in the Northern Hemisphere
Classification: K2III
Red Giant

36. Constellation: Canis Major
Star: Sirius
Classification: A1V

37. Constellation: Canis Minor
Star: Procyon
Classification: F5IV-V

38. Constellation: Lyra Star: Vega Classification: A0V Main sequence, Blue
Deep Sky Object: Ring Nebula – M57

39. Constellation: Lyra Deep Sky Object: Ring Nebula – M57
© Noel Carboni

40. Constellation: Orion Star: Betelgeuse Classification: M2Ib
Red supergiant
RA=5 h 52 m , Dec=7°
Star: Rigel
Classification: B8Ia
Stellar Evolution: Blue Supergiant

41. Constellation: Orion Deep Sky Object: Orion Nebula – M42
Copyright © Noel Carbon

42. Constellation: Dorado/Mensa
Deep Sky Object: Large Magellanic Cloud

43. Constellation: Mensa/Dorado
Deep Sky Object: Large Magellanic Cloud

44. Constellation: Tucana
Deep Sky Object: Small Magellanic Cloud
NASA/ESA

45. Constellation: Perseus
Star: Algol
Classification:
B8V+G5IV+A

46. Constellation: Ursa Major
Star: Alcor
Star: Mizar Classification:
A2V+A2V+A1V

47. Constellation: Ursa Minor
Star: Polaris
Classification: F7Ib-II

48. Constellation: Hercules
Globular Cluster: M13

49. Constellation: Hercules
Globular Cluster: M13
Copyright © Noel Carboni

50. Constellation: Cassiopeia
Deep Sky Object: (Supernova Remnant) Cas A
Deep Sky Object (Supernova Remnant)
Tycho’s SNR

51. Constellation: Cassiopeia
Deep Sky Object (Supernova Remnant)
Tycho’s SNR

52. Constellation: Cassiopeia
Deep Sky Object (Supernova Remnant)
Cas A

53. Constellation: Taurus
Star: Aldebaran
Classification: K5III
Red Giant

54. Constellation: Taurus
Star Cluster: Hyades

55. Constellation: Taurus
Deep Sky Object (Star Cluster):
Pleiades – M45
NASA photo

56. Constellation: Taurus
Deep Sky Object (Supernova Remnant): Crab Nebula – M1

57. Constellation: Taurus
Deep Sky Object (Supernova Remnant): Crab Nebula – M1
Nasa/ESA Image

58. Constellation: Scorpius
Star: Antares
Classification: M1Ib+B4V

59. Constellation: Gemini
Star: Castor
Classification: A1V+A2V
Star: Pollux
Classification: K0III

60. Constellation: Virgo
Star: Spica
Classification: B1V+B2V

61. Constellation: Cancer
Deep Sky Object: Beehive Cluster – M44

62. Constellation: Cancer
Deep Sky Object: Beehive Cluster – M4
Credit and © CapellaSoft, SkyTools 2

63. Constellation: Leo
Star: Regulus
Classification: B7V

64. Constellation: Canis Venatica
Deep Sky Object: Whirlpool Galaxy – M51

65. Constellation: Canes Venatica Whirlpool Galaxy – M51

66. Constellation: Centaurus
Star: Proxima Centauri
Classification: M5

67. Constellation: Ophiuchus
Star: Bernard’s Star
Bernard’s Star is currently the second closest star to the Sun, at 5.96 light years (if you count the 3 stars of Alpha Centauri as one star). It also has the highest known proper motion, i.e., it is moving relative to the Sun at a greater speed than any other star. In about 8,000 years, its speed and direction will make Bernard's Star the closest star to the Sun.

68. Milky Way Galaxy
Copyright Lund Observatory

69. Part III: Instructional Activities
Reach for the Stars
Part III: Instructional Activities

70. Stellar Bingo: An Introductory Activity
Note: This activity has been included on your Coaches Clinic CD.

71. Star Clues This activity is also on the Coaches Clinic CD.
Introduces students to the H-R Diagram through a challenging activity requiring students to complete a chart from clues.

72. Reach for the Stars Practice Exam
Note: This practice exam has been included on your Coaches Clinic CD.
The exam uses a set of “Stellar Evolution” images that may be requested from the Chandra X-ray Center.

73. The Game of SPACE S = Stars P = Planets A = Astronomy
C = Constellations
E = Exploration

74. STELLAR JOURNEY: The Game
Participants gather mass and time to apply to three stars of varying mass. The three stars are born, live their lives, and die as either white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes.