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How Big is the Earth?

Age range: 12 – 16 years
Prep. time: 15 minutes + the time to find a partner school
Lesson time: 30 minutes
Cost per activity:  0
Includes the use of: calculator

In this exercise, we will measure the circumference of the Earth using the same procedure as Eratosthenes did 240 BC. To do this, we need to measure the height of the sun in two locations directly north-south of each other. Are you able to get answers close to the result we have today?

In this lesson students will also use techniques including basic mathematics (multiplication and division), measurement techniques, and geometry.

Student Guide

IO4_How-big-is-Earth_Student-guideDownload

Teacher Guide

IO4_How-big-is-Earth_Teachers-guideDownload

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Identifying Meteorites

Did you find a curious looking rock? With the help of these instructions you can investigate if it could be a meteorite.

This presentation will lead you through the common features of micrometeorites, including magnetism, weight, surface features and evidence of fusion crust, chondrules, metal flakes, patina and rust.

Interesting findings are worth submitting to an expert for analysis. With scientific methods any meteorites can be reliably identified and categorised. The presentation also guides you to where you might find such advice!

This resource is also available in Finnish.

Slide Pack – English

HowToIdentifyAMeteorite-PresentationDownload

Slide Pack – Finnish

KuinkaTunnistanMeteoriitin-EsitysDownload
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How to identify a meteorite?

Did you find a curious looking rock? With the help of these instructions you can investigate if it could be a meteorite (or a meteowrong!). You can also go outdoors and pick any rock for investigation. Or how about hunting micrometeorites?

HowToIdentifyAMeteorite PresentationDownload

This material is also available in:

Suomi: Kuinka tunnistan meteoriitin (observatorio.fi)

Keywords: meteorite, micrometeorite, small solar system bodies

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Children of the Stars

Have you ever wondered what your body is made of? Or how much of each element you contain? Use this calculator to find out! Every element you contain that is heavier than hydrogen and helium was created over billions of years during the various developmental stages of stars. So we are made of star stuff!

ChildrenOfTheStars TeacherGuideDownload
ChildrenOfTheStars CalculatorDownload
ChildrenOfTheStars ColouringSheetDownload

This material is also available in:

Suomi: Tähtien lapsia (observatorio.fi)

Keywords: elements, stellar evolution, human body

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The sky above us

The rotation of the Earth is investigated by observing the length of a toy figure’s shadow in the course of a day.

As an extended task, you can use the Stellarium software to investigate the movements of the Sun. Alternatively, the students can make real observations of the position of the Sun in the sky in the course of a year (the analemma pattern).

TheSkyAboveUs TeacherGuideDownload
TheSkyAboveUs StudentExampleDownload
TheSkyAboveUs TeacherExampleDownload

This material is also available in:

Suomi: Taivas yläpuolellamme (observatorio.fi)

Keywords: sky, diurnal motion, daily motion, shadow, Sun, analemma

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Jupiters moons and orbit resonance

The orbits of the planets and moons affect each other all the time, through minor gravity pulls whenever the objects are at their closest through their orbits. When these tiny pulls happen often and on a regular basis, we get something called orbit resonance. That creates simple harmonics, or ratios, where you can model the motions of e.g. Jupiters inner moons with ratios like 1:2:4.

Instructions

Jupiter-moon-orbit-resonance-Student-guideDownload
Jupiter-and-its-moons-Orrery-cut-outDownload