Exploring Asteroids by Constructing a Light Curve
Introduction
Astronomers, like all scientists, gather data. In astronomy, this data is accessible to both sighted individuals and to those who are blind or have low vision. Unfortunately, the tools to analyze this data are not very accessible. The IDATA project, Innovators Developing Accessible Tools for Astronomy, has made a good start to changing this problem. The results are the product of both sighted and BVI (blind and visually impaired) individuals.
Using the results of the IDATA project, this Module finds the rotation rate of an asteroid by targeting the following goals:
A) Astronomy Concepts: You will use accessible, hands-on activities to understand the concepts related to asteroid research in astronomy.
B) Computational Thinking Skills: An accessible computer programming language, Quorum, will be used to teach you the basics of computer programming. As your computational thinking skills grow, we will explore how computer programming is used in astronomy.
C) Real Data Collection and Analysis: Special software programs are used to collect and process data in astronomy. You will use an accessible program, Afterglow Access, to analyze data from an asteroid.
The Module is divided into three Sections:
Section 1: Instructing a Telescope to Collect Data
Section 2: Examining Images with Afterglow Access
Section 3: Analyzing Images to Find an Asteroid’s Rotation Rate
Before you begin the Exploration, there are several concepts you should be familiar with. The following accessible hands-on activities will help you with the understanding of how the energy from an object in space becomes data stored in a computer. The concepts are:
1. Wave properties
2. The Electromagnetic Spectrum
3. CCD cameras attached to telescopes
Each activity includes an introduction by an astronomer, either with a pre-video, or a video embedded in the activity itself.
#1 Waves: Introduced by astronomer Nic Bonne
Wave Introduction by Dr. Nic Bonne
After listening to Nic, have a discussion about how you can show the idea of a tranverse wave in a non-visual manner. Then do the following activity:
A second activity for waves uses 3D models. The resources and instructions are found here:
#2 Electromagnetic Spectrum:
Introduced by astronomer Dawn Erb In two short videos, Dawn tells how she got interested in astronomy, and how the electromagnetic spectrum is important to her work. You then will construct a tactile representation of the spectrum.
The EM Spectrum with Dr. Dawn Erb
Tactile Electromagnetic Spectrum Instructions
#3 CCD camera:
Introduced by astronomer Kathyrn Williamson There are two short videos embedded in the resource. This resource also explains filters.
You may move into Section 1 when ready