Curated OER
A Mathematical Model of the Sun
In this mathematical model of the sun worksheet, students read about the way scientists use the sun's radius and mass to determine a mathematical model of the sun using the volume of a sphere, and the relationship between density, volume...
Curated OER
The Internal Density and Mass of the Sun
In this sun worksheet, students read about calculating the internal density and mass of the sun. Students use a given formula for the internal density of the sun's gases which students use to solve four mathematical problems.
Curated OER
How Fast Does the Sun Spin?
In this rotation of celestial bodies worksheet, students determine the speed of the sun's rotation and they determine the number of days it takes the sun to rotate once at the equator. They identify the geometric factor that causes...
PBS
Map a Model Solar System
Creating a solar system map is a snap thanks to a hands-on activity! Science scholars explore the solar system by building it wherever they choose during an interactive from PBS's Space series. Users pick both the location and scale for...
Curated OER
Measuring the Speed of a Solar Tsunami!
In this solar tsunami learning exercise, students are given three images of the progress of a Morton Wave on the sun. They solve six problems using the images to find the radius of the sun's disk, the scale of the image, and the time...
Curated OER
SDO Reveals Details on the Surface of the Sun
In this images of the sun activity, students read about the images released by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and they solve 3 problems using the given photograph of the sun. Students find the scale of the image, they compare the size...
Curated OER
Universal Gravity and Kelper's Laws Worksheet
High school physicists apply their knowledge of planetary motion. Using Kepler's three laws, Newton's law of universal gravitation, and the provided properties of the moon, sun, and Earth, they proceed to solve 23 problems. An answer key...
Curated OER
Making Models of the Solar System
Young scholars make several models of the solar system to learn the positions of the planets in the solar system as well as relative distances and sizes. Creation of these models will help them identify the planets by size, shape, color,...
Las Cumbres Observatory
Star In a Box
Stars may all look the same from down here, but their surfaces tell a different story. Using an animation, learners collect data about the temperature and luminosity of stars and compare them to their mass and radius. They then answer...
Q Continuum
Planets
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what constellation you were seeing or whether that bright object was a star or a planet? Are you searching for the best tilt-to-view constellation and planet app that money can't buy?...
Curated OER
Black Holes IV
In this black holes learning exercise, students read about black holes and solve 3 problems where they calculate the Schwarschild radius of one, the number of grams/second a quasar luminosity implies for another and the number of suns...
Curated OER
Tidal Forces-Let'er Rip!
In this tidal forces instructional activity, students read about the gravitational pull from the moon that causes the ocean tides. Students solve 3 problems including finding the Roche or the tidal radius for the Earth and Moon,...
Curated OER
Kepler's Law-Worksheet #2
In this Kepler's Law worksheet, students answer 8 questions about the orbits of satellites, the rotation of planets, the eccentricity of the moon's orbit and the distance planets are from the sun using Kepler's laws.
Curated OER
How Big Is That Star?
Aspiring astronomers study stars. They compare stars and explain the relationship between radius, mass, and diameter. By creating a star simulation, they discover how a binary star system's orbit can cause changes in the observed...
Illustrative Mathematics
Solar Eclipse
Learners take on the role of astronomers, calculating conditions necessary for a total solar eclipse. Concepts of similar triangles and properties of circles come together as pupils create ratios and use real measurements in determining...
Curated OER
Unit VIII: Worksheet 3 - Central Force
Beginning physicists imagine being aerospace engineers by solving seven centripetal force problems. They calculate the work, speed, time, and acceleration of objects in orbit: a satellite around Earth, and Earth around the sun. This is a...
Curated OER
Asteroids Between Mars and the Sun
In this asteroids of the solar system activity, students observe a diagram showing all the minor planets found in the orbit of Mars. Students answer 4 questions about the minor planets inside the orbit of other planets, they find the...
Curated OER
Heat Transfer
In this heat transfer worksheet, students observe photographs of the various ways heat is transferred. Included is a radiator giving off heat that rises and cools as it settles, the sun radiating heat to the earth and a house absorbing...
Curated OER
STEREO Watches the Sun Kick up a Storm!
In this solar storm worksheet, students use images of a solar tsunami to determine the size and speed of the wave. This worksheet has 5 problems to solve.
McGraw Hill
Orbital Velocity Interactive
Why does it take Pluto 90,000 days to orbit the sun, but it only takes Mercury 88 days? An interactive lesson helps pupils find a connection between the speed of orbit and distance a planet is from the sun. The simulation allows for...
Curated OER
An Overview of Solar Radiation
Students examine the Stefan-Boltzmann Law. Students compute basic radiative "constants" of the sun-Earth-atomosphere system. They examine the wavelength of maximum radiation emission.
Balanced Assessment
Bumpy-Ness
Develop a new measure of the properties of an object. Scholars develop a definition and formula to measure the bumpy-ness of an object. They utilize their formulas to find the property for several spherical objects.
Curated OER
Kepler-The Hunt for Earth-like Planets
In this hunt for planets worksheet, students read about the Kepler satellite used to detect exoplanets. Students solve 6 problems including drawing a sun disk and determining the scale in kilometers/millimeter, finding the area of the...
Curated OER
Hinode Sees Mysterious Solar Micro-Flares
In this solar micro-flares learning exercise, students read about the X-ray bright spots that the Hinode satellite's X-ray Telescope detected on the sun's surface. Students determine the scale of the image, the dimensions of the smallest...