Introduction to Astronomy provides a quantitative introduction to the physics of the solar system, stars, the interstellar medium, the galaxy, and the universe, as determined from a variety of astronomical observations and models.
This website has five great astronomy activities! By engaging in these activities, you can learn about the Milky Way Galaxy, the Sun, the Big Dipper, and stars!
This listing includes a wide range of short videos (15 minutes or less) that can be used in introductory astronomy courses. It is organized by the chapter topics in the OpenStax Astronomy textbook. We don’t include simulations. To suggest other video that you have found particularly useful for Astro 101 courses, please drop a line to the compiler at: fraknoi@fhda.edu
This course introduces students to the fundamental aspects of the history, philosophy, and science of the astronomical universe. It will provide students an opportunity to learn and appreciate the world of Astronomy and how it relates to their other studies, their careers and their lives as citizens and professionals. Students will discover the phenomena of our solar system and beyond - planets and moons, asteroids and meteors, stars and black holes, constellations and galaxies and several other phenomena
“Distant Nature: Astronomy Exercises” is a basic set of Open Educational Resource based astronomy exercises designed to be used as instructional aids in conjunction with textbooks and/or live observational exercises. These Exercises utilize the free planetarium software Stellarium.
Open source astronomy lab manual, including 21 labs, 6 instructor manuals, a sample lab report, and a sample lab grading rubric. Intended for 100-level non-majors astronomy lab courses, but can also be used with modifications at other levels.
Google Docs: https://bit.ly/Astronomy-Lab-Manual
PDF: https://bit.ly/Astronomy-Lab-Manual-PDF
This is a project I assign my students in an introductory, non-science major astronomy class. Each student is assigned one of the 25 brightest stars in the sky and they are asked to research and apply concepts they have been learning in the class to their particular star. I leave it up to them to decide the format of their final project - most do PowerPoint but some have done videos or podcasts. One student actually landed a part time job at a radio station after they heard her recording her star project! Many students tell me this is a highlight of the course!
This file contains two activities created by Robert Wagner of Harrisburg Area Community College. The Scientific Article Assignment provides a framework for students to analyze and interpret a level-appropriate scientific article. The Solar Observation project guides students through a more extensive observation activity, and includes a setup for data recording and reporting.
Long Description:
Astronomy for Educators provides new and accomplished K-12 instructors with concepts and projects for low-cost, high-impact STEM classroom instruction that is built around the National Academies National Research Council’s K-12 Framework for Science Education.
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This 10-minute video lesson looks at the formation of the Earth which is a the byproduct of a local supernova. [Cosmology and Astronomy playlist: Lesson 38 of 85]
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The history of women in astronomy is fascinating and inspiring--women like Caroline Herschel, Phoebe Waterman Haas and Vera Rubin.
This story-based lesson presents information on the early investigation into solar and cosmic X-rays, as well as the scientists working in pursuit of X-ray detection and imaging, that set the stage for a program of space-based astronomy. The lesson is narrated by Dr. Herbert Friedman, and includes information on his work, as well as his childhood, home life, and interests while a college student.
This fun Web site is part of OLogy, where kids can collect virtual trading cards and create projects with them. Here, they are given a big-picture look at astronomy.
This resource describes the full set of lecture slides available in this linked Google Drive folder. The slides are based on OpenStax Astronomy and are designed for a 14-week course. Lecture Videos that use these slides will be available as a separate posted resource.
This website takes the complex ideas of astronomy and makes them fun and easy for younger children to understand. The Planets Section highlights each planet in our solar system by answering the following questions: where is it?, how big is it?, can I see it?, how did it get its name?, what is it made of?, what's it like on the surface?, and does it have moons?. An image is included for each planet as well as planetary information for the current month with sky maps. A puzzle section has word games about astronauts, missions, and moons. The Sky Facts section gives general information about eclipses, meteors, and red shift. Links are provided for additional information.
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