WorksheetsConflicting Viewpoints - Stars, Light, Distance, Temperature
Total questions: 17
Worksheet time: 9mins
Two students were comparing stars and planets. Which viewpoint best represents our class models?
Stars are similar in size compared to planets.
Stars are greater in size compared to planets.
Two students were discussing Orion (a constellation). Which viewpoint best represents our class models?
Orion is a collection of stars from our galaxy, altogether much bigger than our solar system.
Our own solar system, including our sun and planets, is altogether much larger than Orion.
Two students were considering measuring the distance from our earth to Saturn. Which viewpoint is best supported by our class models?
The distance between Saturn and our planet is quite large. This would require a large unit for measuring distance such as parsecs.
Since we are measuring within our solar system, I think astronomical units (AU) would be a good fit.
Two students were considering measuring the distance from our earth to the stars we can see in constellations visible in Des Plaines. The stars of the big dipper (Ursa Major) are a good example of this. Which viewpoint is best supported by our class models?
It takes the light from stars years to reach earth. Light years are best for measuring this distance.
Since we are measuring within our galaxy, kilometers (km) would be appropriate for measuring this distance.
Two students explain the idea of a light year. Which best fits our class models?
The distance light travels in one year.
The amount of light (brightness) that a star produces.
Two students were discussing collecting data from space. Which best fits our research?
Telescopes allow astronomers to collect a range of radiation from space, from radio waves to gamma rays, making data available that humans cannot see with their eyes.
Telescopes are used mostly to capture visible light radiation. Light is the most useful form of data from space due to astronomers' ability to see it and therefore analyze it.
Two students were discussing whether or not to put telescopes in orbit. Which of the following is best supported by our class research?
Telescopes that are in orbit may be more costly, however, they are able to collect all types of data (radiation) from space, even forms blocked by our earth's atmosphere.
Putting telescopes in orbit is really not worth it. Astronomers are able to get pretty much all of the data they need right here on earth if they use telescopes that are powerful enough.
Consider the experiment where we examined the light from 8 different light bulbs (see photo). Which bulb was reported by most students to be the brightest?
Bulb A
Bulb B
Bulb C
Bulb D
Bulb E
Consider the experiment where we examined the light from 8 different light bulbs (see photo). According to our class data, which bulb had the LOWEST corresponding light temperature associated with it.
Bulb A
Bulb B
Bulb C
Bulb D
Bulb E
Consider the experiment where we examined the light from 8 different light bulbs (see photo). According to our class data, bulb E (5th from the left) was the most white and least yellow/orange in color. Two students gave explanations for this. Which best supports our class data?
Bulb E just has the most power overall. More powerful bulbs, like the ones used in stores, will always be the most white in color.
Bulb E is bright white, which means it has a peak light frequency closer to blue than red, which you can see in the pHet tool.
Would you please take a moment to look at the data from three common stars visible from our backyards. Thanks!
1. Polaris (aka North Star) is a yellow supergiant star in the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor).
2. Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star in the constellation Orion.
3. Alnitak is a blue supergiant star also in the constellation Orion.
Two students ranked the stars from closest to farthest away. Which is best supported by our class data?
Betelgeuse (closest), then Alnitak, and Polaris (farthest)
Polaris (closest), then Betelgeuse, and Alnitak (farthest)
Would you please take a moment to look at the data from three common stars visible from our backyards. Thanks!
1. Polaris (aka North Star) is a yellow supergiant star in the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor).
2. Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star in the constellation Orion.
3. Alnitak is a blue supergiant star also in the constellation Orion.
Two students ranked the stars from coolest to hottest Which is best supported by our class data?
Betelgeuse (coolest), then Polaris, and Alnitak (hottest)
Polaris (coolest), then Alnitak, and Betelgeuse (hottest)
Would you please take a moment to look at the data from three common stars visible from our backyards. Thanks!
1. Polaris (aka North Star) is a yellow supergiant star in the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor).
2. Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star in the constellation Orion.
3. Alnitak is a blue supergiant star also in the constellation Orion.
As I look at these stars tonight in my backyard, from which of these three stars I am viewing light that is from the furthest back in time (aka the oldest light, given off the longest time ago)?
Betelgeuse
Polaris
Alnitak
Please open the pHet blackbody spectrum tool and move the temperature slider up and down. Two students discussed what happens.
As the temperature increases, the moves from a more reddish color to a more bluish one.
As the temperature increases, the moves from a more blueish color to a more reddish one.
Please open the pHet blackbody spectrum tool and check the box to turn the labels on. Move the temperature slider from light bulb to Sirius A (a really hot star). Two students discussed what happens to the type of radiation (wave).
The wave peak moved from the ultraviolet zone, through the visible light zone, to the infrared zone.
The wave peak moved from the infrared zone, through the visible light zone, to the ultraviolet zone.
Please open the pHet blackbody spectrum tool. Compare a star that is 4000K to a star that is 7000K. Two students explained this comparison.
The 4000K star is more orange/red and the 7000K star is more blue/white.
The 4000K star is more blue/white and the 7000K star is more orange/red.
Our nearest star, Proxima Centauri, is just over 4 light years away. Two students discussed what this means.
If I look at Proxima Centauri tonight, I am seeing something that actually happened over four years ago.
If I look at Proxima Centauri tonight, I am seeing something that is happening right now, it's just far away.
