Activity # 9 — Scavenger Hunt in the Night Sky

Objectives:

• Student will become familiar with how objects appear using the naked eye, binoculars, finderscope, and telescope.
• Student will be able to identify the major uses of a telescope and identify the two main types of telescopes.
• Student will be able to identify the galaxy in which our Solar System is located and distinguish the morphology of the five basic kinds of galaxies.
• Student will be able to identify five common constellations.

Materials Needed

Suggestions for locating telescopes in your community

• School
• Parent in the school
• Other local schools
• Local astronomy clubs
• Local science museum/planetarium
• Local universities

Directions:

1. Orient yourself to the objects in the night sky by looking at Directional Chart.
2. Read Seasonal Guide Posts and "Scavenger Hunt in the Night Sky" Tip Sheet.
3. Fill out Observation Log (p. 29). Make additional copies for additional objects
4. Complete assessment.