Resources
Elements of the Project
A core element running through the activities is the Scientific method.
Pupils will consider problems, look for solutions, choose options, implement, test, analyse and review results. They can also communicate their results to others through various means.
Module 1 : Background to comets
Pupils will learn what comets are, how they have been observed in history and how we observe them now. They will learn about their path and speed through space, how they are named, and why we study them. They will also be introduced to the Rosetta Mission which sent a spacecraft to make a long-term study of a comet.
The resources include fact sheets with quizzes, cartoons and associated comprehension tests, making models, interactive orbit diagrams, build a solar system including comets using Scratch, and some videos of comets being made in a laboratory setting. Access them at Module 1: Background to Comets
One reason we monitor the position of comets is to provide alerts if they may be on track to come very close to, or even impact, Earth (although this is very, very rare!). It is likely that a comet or asteroid impact caused the Dinosaur mass extinction event – so the consequences of an impact can be very severe! Pupils will learn about different impactors and impacts. They will use an impact simulator to look at how varying the type of material, speed, angle and impact site affect the size and depth of crater produced and the consequences for the area. The differences between impacts on the Earth, the Moon and Mars will be considered.
The resources include factsheets, a practical demonstration (using flour and cocoa powder), an on-line impact simulator and, when possible, the loan of boxes of meteorites and fossils. Access them at Module 2: Impacts
Module 3: Background to Galaxies
Pupils will learn what galaxies are, how they have been observed in history (including by Charles Messier), how we observe them now, how big they are, where they are, how they are classified, and why we study them.
The resources include fact sheets with quizzes, classification sheets, some videos of different galaxies, spotting differences (supernova), Messier bingo, and working out when we can see them (based on location of observers, date and time). Access them at Module 3: Galaxies
Module 4: How we study these objects
Pupils will learn about how we use light to understand more about these objects. This will include thinking about how cameras collect light (like buckets collect water), how we can see that different parts of objects have different characteristics, and how measuring changes in brightness over time can tell us a lot about an object. And finally, how measuring different colours of light using filters can help too. We will explore the way it can be difficult to know whether an object is bright because it really is bright or whether is just close. We will introduce the idea of a light curve graph and measure everyday objects. Pupils will plot and interpret graphs, will see demonstrations of light curves and when back in class be able to experiment with different objects.
We will introduce the concept of using comparisons to make measurements: how we can determine the position of a moving comet by comparing with the position of fixed stars whose positions are known; how we can determine the brightness and colour of an object by comparing it with the brightness and colour of known stars.
The resources include fact sheets with diagrams, videos, worksheets, and hands-on experimental demos of light curves using a loan kit. Data sets will be provided so that pupils can plot light curves. They will be shown examples of light curves for types of objects and be asked to estimate which type of object corresponds to their plotted graphs. Access them at Module 4 (1 and 2): Seeing the Light Module 4 (3 and 4): Lightcurves
Pupils will use data drawn from the telescope archive to look for shapes of galaxies for classification, and for any changes to spot supernovae (exploding stars). They will assemble images from different coloured filters into a coloured image. For comets they will look for changes in position, shape and brightness over time, using software.
Resources include detailed guides on using the software, and worksheets for pupils to log their findings and conclusions. The data will be checked beforehand to ensure the analysis is straightforward, and model answers will be provided. A guide to producing colour composite images will also be provided, along with how to put together short movies/gifs showing the comet moving through space.
We will provide hands-on support for teachers and pupils for software analysis elements. Access them at Module 5: Practice Data Processing (under development)
Module 6: Using Telescopes to Make Observations
Pupils will learn about the telescopes in the global Faulkes Telescope/Las Cumbres Observatory network, their geographical location (including time zones), and how to control them to make observations. They will learn how the Earth’s rotation, and the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, affect what we can see in the night sky and when. They will learn about how a telescope compensates for the fact the Earth rotates. They will learn about how it is tricky to track objects which move through space. They will learn to plan observations.
We will run a teacher training session on use of the Faulkes Telescopes.
The resources include facts sheets on the telescopes, maps, illustrated guides and videos, for setting up observations. There are also guides to using software to see what is in the night sky at any time (using a free software package called Stellarium) and also to see when objects are high in the sky and so are best for observing. Access them at Module 6: Telescope Observing
Module 7: Gathering New Data – Making Observations and Analysing Results
(Under development)
Pupils will contribute to actual research on comets by making new observations themselves. They will then analyse the data. A list of comets which are coming close to Earth have been chosen. One of these is a potential target for a new space mission called ‘Comet Interceptor’. We want to monitor these comets as they get close to the Sun and so become more active, giving off more dust and gas and so getting bigger and brighter. We will also add any interesting targets – comets are unpredictable, and so if another comet outbursts or breaks up we can add it to the list. We may also seek to ‘recover’ comets which haven’t been seen for a while.
Resources include guidance on what observations to make and when – including all the detailed information need to schedule observations (and hands-on support to do this if needed). Guidance on how to download the resulting observations will also be provided, and then how to do the analysis. There will be worksheets to allow pupils to look for and document changes in a comet’s appearance and/or brightness. If big differences are noted, we would like schools to share this quickly so that we can follow up with more observations – and report to the scientific community. We will provide hands-on support for teachers and pupils for software analysis elements.