Topic 2 Stations Discovering More Through Technology

Station 1Make your own telescope!

Follow the directions provided; you may remember doing something similar in grade 8.

1. Draw a picture and label: objective lens, ocular lens, focal length.

2. How does the image look?

Station 2Types of telescopes

1. Draw a picture of each of the 3 different types of telescopes below. Use your picture to define each one.

2. Isaac Newton invented the reflecting telescope to overcome problems with refracting telescopes. Using the diagrams here and your telescope from station 1 - What might these problems be?

3. How did the invention of telescopes change our frame of reference?

2 Topic 2 Stations Discovering More Through Technology

Station 3Create an Ellipse

In 1609, Johannes Kepler researched and calculated that planetary orbits would be more accurate if they were elliptical rather than circular. Follow the directions and materials provided to draw an ellipse. Answer questions #1 & 2.

Topic 2 Stations Discovering More Through Technology

Station 4Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation

Something was still missing from Kepler’s model. How do planets stay in these elliptical orbits? 80 years after Kepler’s model, Isaac Newton stated the law of universal gravitation. Copy the diagram and definition below; answer the question:

Law of Universal Gravitation: There is a gravitational force between all objects that pulls them together.

What are Newton’s other laws of physics?

Station 5Hubble Space Telescope

Watch video “26 of the Best Images Captured by The Hubble Space Telescope” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzBhB1h9B8I Answer the following questions:

1. When was the Hubble Space Telescope put into orbit?

2. Choose a favourite picture. Which one is it and why?