GCSE Astronomy Controlled Assessment

You will plan, carry out, analyse and evaluate two observational projects. One project involves unaided (naked eye) observation and the other project (not from the same row) requires the use of a camera, pair of binoculars or a telescope (amateur or robotic). Other suitable aids to observation can also be used. The two observational projects carry 20 marks giving a total out of 40 marks which makes up 25% of the GCSE. You may complete more than two project with the best marks for unaided and aided projects counting. Youwill need to consider:

the astronomical object(s) that you want to observe
from where you are going to carry out your observations
the equipment you will need
the date(s) and time(s) when you plan to observe
all the relevant astronomical terminology
how you will record and analyse all your observations
how you will evaluate the quality of your observations

Design
High Control / 0 / No procedure designed.
1 / Outline a simple procedure for the observations, using basic astronomical terminology.
2-3 / Astronomical knowledge and understanding used to decide on the most appropriate site, time, equipment for observations. / Spelling, punctuation and grammar used with reasonable accuracy. Limited use of astronomical terminology.
4-5 / Detailed astronomical knowledge and understanding used to design the most appropriate observing programme with a range of sites, times and instruments evaluated. / Spelling, punctuation and grammar used with considerable accuracy. Good range ofastronomical terminology used correctly.
Observation
Limited Control / 0 / No observations completed.
1 / Simple observations completed, providing some data. / A few observational details included.
2-3 / Sound observations completed and recorded, providing adequate data for the task. / Clear and accurate observational details included.
4-5 / Excellent programme of observations completed and recorded, providing conclusive data forthe task. / Full observational details included clearly and accurately.
Analysis
High Control / 0 / No analysis on the observations.
1 / Simple comments on what is shown by the observations, using basic astronomical terminology.
2-3 / Conclusions or calculations derived from observational data used to address the task set. / Spelling, punctuation and grammar used with reasonable accuracy. Limited use ofastronomical terminology.
4-5 / Full analysis of the observational data, resulting in clear conclusions related to the task set. / Spelling, punctuation and grammar used with considerable accuracy. Good range ofastronomical terminology used correctly.
Evaluation
High Control / 0 / No evaluation of the observation.
1 / Simple comment on the accuracy of the observations, using basic astronomical terminology.
2-3 / Supported statement of the accuracy of the observational data obtained. / Feasible suggestions for improvements or extensions to the observations. / Spelling, punctuation and grammar used with reasonable accuracy. Limited use of
astronomical terminology.
4-5 / Clearly reasoned quantitative assessment of the accuracy of the observational data obtained. / Detailed suggestions for improvements or extensions to the observations. / Spelling, punctuation and grammar used with considerable accuracy. Good range of astronomical terminology used correctly.

In 2012 for a total mark out of 2x 20 then A*=34 A=29 B=23 C=17 D=14 E=12 F=10 G=8

A Unaided observations / B Aided observations
Lunar FeaturesProducea series of naked-eyedrawingsof three lunar surface features. Use them to show their changing appearance at different lunar phases. / Lunar FeaturesProducea series of telescopicdrawingsand/or photographs of three lunar surface features. Use them to show their changing appearance at different lunar phases.
Meteor ShowerObservea meteorshower. Recordmeteor trailson a drawingof thestellarbackground from sketches and estimate magnitudes of the meteors. Locate and show the position of the radiant. / Meteor Shower PhotographyUse long-exposurephotographytoobtain photographs of a meteor shower. Estimate magnitudes of the meteors. Locate and show the position of the radiant.
Drawings of Lunar or Solar EclipseUsinga suitablemethodof observation (lunar- direct,solar - pinholeprojection), produce a series of drawings showing the progress of a lunar or solar eclipse. / Photographs of Lunar or Solar Eclipse Usinga suitablemethodof observation (lunar - direct,solar - projection),producea series of photographs showing the progress of a lunar or solar eclipse.
Constellation DrawingsObserveandmake detaileddrawingsof three different constellations, recording dates, times, seeing and weather conditions andnotingcolours (ifpossible)and magnitudesbycomparisonwithreference stars. / Constellation PhotographyProducephotographsof threedifferent constellations, recording dates, times, seeing and weather conditions. Use the photographs toidentifycolours andmagnitudesby comparison with reference stars.
Drawings of Celestial EventProducea series of drawingstorecordthe passageof a suitablecelestialevent,for example a transit, occultation or comet. / Telescopic Drawings or Photographs ofCelestial EventProducea series of detailedtelescopic drawings or photographs to record the passageof a suitablecelestialevent,for example a transit, occultation or comet.
Shadow Stick Use a shadow stick to record the direction of the Sun at different times on at least two daysandhence determine(a)thetimeof localnoon and(b)theobserver’slongitude. / SundialOnatleastthreewidely-spaceddates, comparethetimeshownon a correctly-aligned sundial with local mean time. Use these data to determine the accuracy of the sundial used.
Levels of Light PollutionUse repeatedobservationsof thefaintest starsobservabletoquantifytheeffectof light pollution at two different sites. / Photographic Measurement of Levels of Light PollutionUsethemagnitudesofthefainteststarsvisible in long exposure photographs to quantify the effect of light pollution at two different sites.
SunspotsUse a pinhole to projectan image of the Sun ontoa suitablebackgroundandobserve andrecordsunspotsover a sufficiently long period of time to determine the Sun’s rotation period. / SunspotsUse a small telescope to projectan image of theSun ontoa suitablebackgroundand observeandrecordsunspotsover a sufficientlylongperiodof timetodetermine the Sun’s rotation period.
Light Curve of a Variable StarUse a series of naked-eyeestimatesof the magnitudeof a suitablevariablestar over a sufficientperiodof timetodeterminethe period of the star. / Light Curve of a Variable StarUse a series of telescopic estimates of the magnitudeof a suitablevariablestar over a sufficientperiodof timetodeterminethe period of the star.
Estimating Stellar DensityBy countingthenumbersof visiblestars within a certain area of sky, estimate and compare the density of stars in the sky, parallel with and perpendicular to the plane of theMilkyWay. / Measuring Stellar DensityUse binocular/telescopicobservationsor original photographs to measure and compare the density of stars in the sky, parallel with and perpendicular to the plane of the Milky Way.
WARNING: The Sun must NOT be viewed directly, with or without optical aids. / Drawings of Messier ObjectsUse binoculars/telescope/robotictelescopeto producedetaileddrawingsand/orphotographs of atleastthreeMessier/NGCobjects.
Measuring the Sidereal DayTakelong-exposurephotographsof the circumpolarstarsaroundPolarisor thesouth celestial pole and use them to determine the length of the sidereal day.

Robotic telescopes

(see me for username and password)