1. Implementation Planning: Small Solar System Objects Judit Ries Rajib Ganguly

2. Context The Texas State Science Education Standards says “Identify characteristics of objects in our solar system including the Sun, planets, meteorites, asteroids, and moons” The Texas State Science Education Standards says “Identify characteristics of objects in our solar system including the Sun, planets, meteorites, asteroids, and moons” The Wyoming State Science is less clear, but does mention formation and evolution of the solar system The Wyoming State Science is less clear, but does mention formation and evolution of the solar system

3. Goals To address the state science standards. To address the state science standards. Explore the physical characteristics and orbits of asteroids and comets. Explore the physical characteristics and orbits of asteroids and comets. Key Concepts addressed: Key Concepts addressed: Physical Shapes of Orbits Physical Shapes of Orbits Qualitative determination of composition (rocky, volatiles) of objects using imaging data Qualitative determination of composition (rocky, volatiles) of objects using imaging data Formation of the Solar System Formation of the Solar System

4. Materials : Use the Planetary Data System Asteroid/Dust Archive: http://www.psi.edu/pds/ Use the Planetary Data System Asteroid/Dust Archive: http://www.psi.edu/pds/ http://www.psi.edu/pds/ Images of small bodies → web search Images of small bodies → web search Spreadsheet program Spreadsheet program

5. Prior Knowledge Geometry of an ellipse: semi-major axis, eccentricity Geometry of an ellipse: semi-major axis, eccentricity Temperature dependence of state of solids, liquids, and gases Temperature dependence of state of solids, liquids, and gases

6. Implementation Plan Grab: semi-major axes, eccentricities and inclination, and images of both asteroids and comets Grab: semi-major axes, eccentricities and inclination, and images of both asteroids and comets Design a convenient way to look at where objects reside in the Solar System, and als Design a convenient way to look at where objects reside in the Solar System, and als From the images, students should conclude that asteroids are rocky bodies and comets are icy bodies. From the images, students should conclude that asteroids are rocky bodies and comets are icy bodies. Students should conclude that comets are colder/icier and more distant; asteroid are rockier and closer. Students should conclude that comets are colder/icier and more distant; asteroid are rockier and closer.

7. Implementation Plan Possible Avenue for Inquiry: Possible Avenue for Inquiry: Where do colder/hotter objects reside in the Solar System? Where do colder/hotter objects reside in the Solar System? Where did each of types of objects form? Where did each of types of objects form? What does this imply about how the Solar System formed? What does this imply about how the Solar System formed? What are the orbital inclinations of asteroids compared to comets? What are the orbital inclinations of asteroids compared to comets? What does this imply about how the Solar System evolved? What does this imply about how the Solar System evolved?

8. Assessment Compare your conclusions with other groups. Compare your conclusions with other groups.