School Groups

Telescopes and Stars

Learn about telescope design and function and how light is gathered but this amazing.

Sky Science Topic C, areas covered:

• - Celestial motion
• - Constellations
• - Solar observation
• - Solar system composition
• - Overview of telescope technology

The one, the only, the original, the moon

Explore the unique characteristics of earth’s moon including phases, orbit and gravitational effects. Compare and contrast with other moons in our solar system. We blend Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Western Sky Science concepts with discussions around celestial motion and perspectives of land and sky.

Sky Science Topic C, areas covered:

• - Phases of the moon
• - Solar system composition
• - Moons that orbit other planets
• - Overview of telescope technology

Seeing across the spectrum

Learn about the composition of our universe and the technologies used to conduct the latest research. Students will learn how the RAO astronomers use a spectrograph, do a spectral analysis of the sun. We also explore the latest developments with the satellite missions of the University of Calgary Space Institute.

Space Exploration Unit E, topics covered:

• - Spectroscopy
• - Spectrum analysis
• - Absorption/emission lines
• - Doppler effect
• - Communication satellites
• - Observation and research satellites
• - Remote sensing and GPS

How far away is it - Triangulation and Stellar Parallax

Answer the most basic question in astronomical research with stellar parallax and the doppler effect then perform your own measurements with triangulation.

• - How parallax and the Doppler effect are used to estimate distances of objects in space and determining their motion
• - The position of objects in space, using angular coordinates
• Participate in a triangulation excise and learn how distance measurements on earth can take you to the stars.