The Hidden Lives of Galaxies - Classroom Activities
Activity #9 - Seeing as Far as You Can See
In this activity, students become familiar with using binoculars and/or a telescope. They locate and identify constellations, and the Andromeda Galaxy.
This is a night-time activity that may be best done with the help of parents, a local astronomy club, museum, planetarium, or university. It offers the opportunity for students to experience the night sky and to see a galaxy. This activity is designed to be done in the fall, when the Andromeda Galaxy is most easily visible in the early evening.
Assessment:
Telescopes are used to make small objects appear larger and dim objects appear brighter. The two main types of telescopes are refractors and reflectors.
Answers may vary, but The Big Dipper (part of Ursa Major), Pegasus, Cassiopeia, Cygnus, Andromeda are among the possibilities
The Solar System is located in the Milkyway galaxy. The morphology of the Andromeda Galaxies is spiral; the Triangulum Galaxy is also spiral; M33, the companion to Andromeda is elliptical.
