Unit 2

History of Astronomy

History of Astronomy (10days)

Enduring Understanding: The origin and eventual fate of the Universe still remains one of the greatest questions in science. Gravity and energy influence the development and life cycles of galaxies, including our own Milky Way Galaxy, stars, the planetary systems, Earth, and residual material left from the formation of the Solar System. Humankind’s need to explore continues to lead to the development of knowledge and understanding of the nature of the Universe
Essential Questions
What are some useful spinoffs we have due to American’s involvement in space technology?
What are future developments in space exploration? / SC.912.E.5.7 Relate the history of and explain the justification for futurespaceexploration and continuing technology development.
·  The Student will know about Space tourism and robotic explorers
·  Students will learn several benefits they experience from space technology. / Honors Extension(s)
What was the Ptolemaic model of the space?
How did Copernicus change our understanding of space?
How do Kepler’s and Newton’s Laws explain the motion of planets?
How can the position and motion of celestial bodies be used to understand what is seen in the night sky?
How did our understanding of the solar system change over time? Discuss differences in heliocentric and geocentric models.
How did Archimedes, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Galileo, Brahe, Kepler, Newton, Einstein, Hawkings change our understanding of the universe?
How are the following astronomers concepts related to each other?
Ptolemy and Copernicus
Copernicus and Galileo
Brahe and Kepler / SC.912.E.5.6 Develop logical connections through physical principles, including Kepler’s and Newton’s Laws about the relationships and the effects of Earth, Moon, and Sun on each other.
·  Students will know the difference between the geocentric and heliocentric models of the solar system.
·  Students will know different astronomers contributions to the understanding and development of our understanding of the universe.(Ptolemy, Copernicus, Archimedes, Newton, Galileo, Brahe, Kepler, Einstein, Hawkings)
·  Students will know Kepler’s contribution to the Three Laws of Planetary Motion.
·  Students will know Newton’s Three Laws.
·  Students will know relationships of mass and distance to understand Newton’s Law of Gravitation.
Related benchmark:
SC.912.N.2.4 Explain that scientific knowledge is both durable and robust and open to change. Scientific knowledge can change because it is often examined and re-examined by new investigations and scientific argumentation. Because of these frequent examinations, scientific knowledge becomes stronger, leading to its durability. / Honors Extension(s)
Students will build rockets and relate the movements to Newton’s Laws.