Problems in Planetary Science

Problems in Planetary Science

A self-guided course of study in Astronomy and Planetary Processes

for preparation of junior-senior level secondary earth science teachers

by Russ Colson

Course Description: This independent study self-learning module provides a guided opportunity to practice applying concepts from Planetary Science through science reasoning challenges, real-world problems, and self-guided labs, with particular focus on selected astronomy issues required for Earth Science Teaching licensure in Minnesota. Concepts addressed include planetary processes, age dating, geochemical evidence for formation of the Earth and Moon, seasons, phases of the Moon, stellar evolution, galactic evolution, Kepler's Law, and measuring distances in space.

Each of the lessons below provides both a topical review (sometimes brief enough that you may need to supplement with outside reading), often with recorded asynchronous lectures, and a set of self-guided lab exercises that engage you in applying the topical concepts to science reasoning challenges or real-world problems. These are substantive online labs, many involving mathematical and conceptual reasoning and problem solving, and should be done slowly and carefully so as to figure out the concepts involved, with the exercise of figuring it out being more valuable than the ‘answer’ that comes at the end.

These materials are appropriate for a 1 semester credit college course, meaning that 45 hours is a reasonable time to complete the course. These lessons are intended as a supplement to a concurrent course in planetary science, although a person with a strong science background and a willingness to do the suggested online readings and work through the lessons slowly and carefully might successfully navigate this course independently.

Stellar Astronomy

How Do We Know the Stars--Lecture

What Are Stars Made Of—interactive text

Measuring the Sky: Lecture

Measuring the Sky: Interactive Text

Changes in Galaxies and the Universe Itself: Interactive Text

Astronomy with Math

Measuring the Distance to the Sun with Aristarchus: Interactive Text

Note: The Aristarchus exercise is a real-world study from over 2000 years ago. It is a math-heavy unit with lots of geometric visualization, and so provides an example of a Math-Science cross-over unit. Notice that it is possible to "cheat" these exercises by simply waiting to get the answers instead of grappling with the fuzzy and difficult challenge of how to figure them out. That of course defeats the purpose of challenging and improving yourself and defeats the purpose of coming to understand how real discoveries are made.

Celestial Mechanics--Movements in Space and Keplers Law: Lecture

Celestial Mechanics--Movements in Space and Keplers Law: Interactive Text

Astronomy with Origin of the Elements

Changes in Stars--HR Diagrams and the Life Cycle of Stars: Lecture

Changes in Stars--HR Diagrams and the Life Cycle of Stars: Interactive Text

Local Astronomy: Moon Phases and Seasons

Patterns and Predictability-Seasons

Patterns and Predictability-Phases of the Moon: Lecture

Patterns and Predictability-Phases of the Moon: Interactive Text

Native American Perspectives in the Science Classroom--Discussion Prompts

Pattern Recognition, Prediction, and the Ojibwe Lunar Calendar--Discussion Prompts

Planetary Astronomy and Geology: