Why is astronomy considered an observational science?

Astronomy is observational because we cannot control the parameters of our experiments like in a lab; we can only observe what is already happening in space.

What can scientists learn from analyzing the light emitted by stars?

Scientists can learn what stars are made of, how hot they are, their mass, age, and distance from Earth by analyzing the light they emit.

What are the dark lines observed in the spectral rainbow of sunlight, and what do they indicate?

The dark lines are the characteristic fingerprints of atoms in the Sun's atmosphere. They indicate which elements are present and their concentrations.

Besides visible light, what other types of electromagnetic waves do astrophysicists use to study the universe?

Radio waves, infrared light, and ultraviolet light

Explain how studying different wavelengths of light provides a more complete picture of the universe.

Different wavelengths reveal different aspects of celestial objects and the universe. Some wavelengths penetrate dust and gas, while others are emitted by specific elements or temperatures, giving a more comprehensive view.

Exploring Objects Beyond Earth

6th GradeScience45 min

aligned to Ngss Ms-ess1-3

Learning Objective

I can describe how scientists use evidence to learn about objects beyond Earth.

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

5 min

How do we study the stars? - Yuan-Sen Ting

TED-Ed

Guided Notes

9 min

Key concepts students will learn:

•
Although astronomy is purely observational, we can learn about stars by studying the light that they emit.
•
By turning starlight into rainbows, scientists can identify dark lines that reveal the elements present in a star's atmosphere and their concentrations.
•
Astrophysicists use telescopes to study different wavelengths of light, including radio waves, infrared light, and ultraviolet light, to gain a more complete picture of the universe.

Practice

14 min

10 questions • Multiple choice & Short answer

Exit Ticket

5 min

“Explain how scientists use light to determine what elements make up stars that are far away.”

Teacher Guide

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Answer keys for all questions
Differentiation strategies
Extension activities
Printable student handouts

Exploring Objects Beyond Earth

Learning Objective

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

Guided Notes

Practice

Exit Ticket

Teacher Guide

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