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Deep Impact Comet Encounter
Physics apprentices analyze the impact of NASA's Impactor as it collided with the comet Tempel 1 in July of 2005. They calculate the mass and speed of the comet, along with the distance it might drift off of its orbit over time. This...
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Deep Impact's Comet on a Stick!
Students create a model of a comet. In this space science lesson, students compare their model to the characteristics of a real comet. They evaluate and make necessary modifications to their original design.
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Target Earth
Space scientists use water displacement to determine the mass of a cubic centimeter mini meteorite, and then use it as a small-scale representative of an asteroid. They figure out the orbital velocity of an asteroid. Then they use a...
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Cookin' Up a Comet
Students view a teacher demonstration of comet composition. In this comet science instructional activity, students watch as the teacher combines sand, ammonia, cola, and dry ice to simulate the composition of a comet. They answer...
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Space Science: Adventure is Waiting
These full-color handouts feature two activities. The first is a reading on comets, meteors, and meteoroids. Your space science learners will examine ten phrases and determine which of the three each characterizes. The second activity...
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Planet Impact!
An amazing information-packed lesson plan allows your space scientists to crash a virtual comet into Jupiter and learn how the angle, distance, speed, and mass influence the outcome. Click on "Back to the Lesson" to access the...
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The Story of the Solar System
There is more to the solar system than the typical study of the sun and planets. Launch a study of asteroids, meteoroids, and comets by watching the video The Story of the Solar System, available for purchase through this resource on the...
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Space Science
Eighth graders study the objects in our solar system. In this space lesson students identify and describe planets, then classify them as terrestrial or gaseous.
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TARGET EARTH
Students explore the possibility of an asteroid hitting planet earth. In this planetary activity students complete a lab activity to see the effects of an asteroid hitting earth and compare different craters.
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Making a Comet in the Classroom
Learners study comets and how Halley's comet was created. In this space lesson students create their own comets using dry ice.
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A Star Sheds a Comet Tail!
In this comet tails and stars worksheet, students read about the star Mira and the vast clouds of gases it emits. They use a photograph from the Galaxy Evolution Explorer satellite to solve 5 problems about the scale of the image, the...
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Deep Impact-Comet Flyby
In this comet and angles learning exercise, students read about the Deep Impact spacecraft that flew by the comet Tempel-1. They use a given formula to find the angular diameter of the comet and solve 4 problems using the equation.
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The Comet Encke Tail Disruption Event
In this comet tail disruption worksheet, students solve 7 problems using two images from NASA's STEREO satellite showing the breakup of the comet's tail. Students analyze the diagram and use the scale to solve the problems about time,...
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Spotting an Approaching Asteroid or Comet
In this asteroid and comet activity, students read about the formula used to determine the brightness of asteroid. They apply this formula to solve 2 problems about asteroids and their brightness.
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Asteroid, Comet, or Meteor?
In this asteroid, comet and meteor worksheet, students complete a chart by determining which of 8 given characteristics belong to asteroids, comets or meteors.
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Make A Comet
Students make a comet out of corn syrup, ammonia, dirt, ice cream sticks, and more. In this comet lesson plan, students view how these ingredients turn from a solid to a gas.
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Asteroids
Students examine the different types of asteroids and how they enter the atmosphere. In this space instructional activity students use mashed potatoes to create an asteroid they can eat.
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Cometary Orbits
Students study orbits and ellipses and see the differences between orbits and comets. For this investigative lesson students do an activity that shows them what objects are more like comets and fill out a worksheet.
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Investigating a Comet
Students investigate the composition of a comet. In this comet lesson, students create a thinking web and explain their knowledge of what makes a comet.
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Asteroid, Comet, or Meteor?
In this asteroid, comet, and meteor graphic organizer worksheet, students compare and contrast asteroids, comets, and meteors as they mark the characteristics of each.
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Other Objects in the Solar System
In this solar system activity, students will explore other objects found in the solar system such as asteroids, comets, and meteors. This activity has 7 short answer and 2 fill in the blank questions.
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Solar System Vocab Word Search
In this science instructional activity, learners locate and identify various vocabulary terms related to space science. There are 21 words located in the puzzle.
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Deep Impact Comet On A Stick
Students investigate the concept of a comet. They construct a model of a comet. The design is done using the same thoughts of an engineer. Students work together to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the comet models. If the model...
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Make a Comet
Students construct their own model of a comet using a variety of art supplies by reviewing pictures and diagrams of comets. They examine the structure of comets and the interactions between comets and our Sun.