Astronomy: BIG, FAR and FAST are Relative in Space

This Course includes great BONUS LESSONS:

• What on Earth is Astronomy?

• Mini-Lesson: Eclipses

• Mini-Lesson: Meteor Showers

• Mini-Lesson: Aurora

  
  

BIG, FAR and FAST challenges your concept of what constitutes size, distance and speed in astronomical terms.

BIG looks at size in the universe by comparing celestial objects with the sizes of things we are more familiar with close by.

FAR takes you on an amazing trip around the universe on a plane, the space shuttle and finally a beam of light to understand how far things really are in space.

FAST
Learn about speed in space and on the Earth, and see how an object’s movement effects the object and everything around it – even time.

Big

1. Objective

2. Warm-up activity

3. Exploring the concept of size using the Earth, inner planets, outer planets, the Sun and other stars

4. The concept of relativism

5. What numbers really mean

6. The largest star in the galaxy

7. An overview of galaxy size and distance

8. Test questions

9. Cross-curricular activities

Far

1. Objective

2. Warm-up activity

3. Exploring the concept of distance using various forms of travel and speed, including cars, planes, the space shuttle and a beam of light

4. Overview of relativism

5. Overview of speed

6. The distance (and comparisons) between the planets and their moons, including Pluto

7. Star distances and comparisons

8. Nebulae and galaxy distances

9. Connections between speed and distances

10. Concepts of shape in regard to the Earth and the Universe

11. Test questions

12. Cross-curricular activities

FAST: SPEED, MOTION AND CONSEQUENCES

1. Suggested way to use the curriculum

2. Objective

3. Warm-up Activity

4. Fast and Slow are relative concepts

5. Definition and limitations of speed

6. Time dilation near the speed of light

7. Speed and crewed space exploration

8. Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion with Examples in space and on earth

9. Escape Velocity

10. The relativity of speed and motion

11. Motion of the Earth, planets and sun

12. The difficulty of measuring motion in space without a fixed point of reference

13. The surprising relationship between light, sound and motion

14. Rockets

15. Empty space and the universe

16. Test Questions and Answers

17. Cross Curricular and Extension Activities

18. State Standards in Curriculum