Home » Teachers » Resources for VCE Physics » Units 1 & 2 Resources » Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Resources, Classroom Activities, IT Applications
Course Planning
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82.9 kB | ||
A planning document for the 2005 - 2008 Study Design prepared by Gary Bass. It contains numerous activities and many useful websites. | |||
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5.08 MB | ||
A PowerPoint presentation by Keith Burrows for use with the Year 11 VCE Astrophysics DS. The presentation is in five parts in two separate files. | |||
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6.23 MB | ||
A PowerPoint presentation by Keith Burrows for use with the Year 11 VCE Astrophysics DS. The presentation is in five parts in two separate files. | |||
Resources
Text Resources
- Ellyard, D 2001, Sky Watch: A Guide to the Southern Skies, ABC Books, Sydney
- Freedman, RA & Kaufmann, WJ 2002, Universe, 6th edn, WH Freeman and Company, New York.
- Pasachoff, JM 2001, Astronomy from the Earth to the Universe, Brooks/Cole, New York.
- Wyatt, P 1996, Astronomy for the Southern Hemisphere, CSIRO Series, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne.
Audiovisual Resources
It is recommended that teachers should view any video before purchase.
- Marcom Projects: Modern Physics & Cosmology, Origins Back to the Beginning 1 & 2, Origins, Where are the Aliens 1 & 2, Starlight, Stars of the Universe, What are Stars?
- VEA: Stars: Birth to Death, The Big Bang, Destination Cosmos
Relevant papers from recent Physics Teachers Conferences
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Outreach & Education from the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing |
216 kB | |
The Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing is at Swinburne University. This session was at the 2007 Physics Teachers Conference. | |||
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Outreach & Education from the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing. |
515 kB | |
The Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing. This session was at the 2007 Physics Teachers Conference. | |||
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67.1 kB | ||
Presented by Keith Burrows, AIP EdCom at the 2007 Physics Teachers Conference. | |||
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65 B | ||
Audio file of Teaching astrophysics in VCE Physics by Keith Burrows. 60mins. | |||
Classroom Activities
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22 kB | ||
A list of books and lab resources that may be of use in implementing the Astronomy and Astrophysics Detailed Studies in the new curriculum. | |||
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28.2 kB | ||
A list of websites that may be of use in implementing the Astronomy and Astrophysics Detailed Studies in the new curriculum. | |||
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68.1 kB | ||
An updated (Feb 2004) version of the text of the talks given by Keith Burrows at St.Kevins (Sept 03) and STAVCON (Nov 03) and Physics Teachers conference (Feb 04). It describes an approach to teaching this detailed study. | |||
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22 kB | ||
A practical activity submitted by Russell Downie. This prac uses a photographic slide of many dots that are projected onto a target of a set size. The slide set is available from Peter Mansell Fax 9808 5998 at a cost of $8. For further details about this prac contact Russell at rdownie@plc.vic.edu.au. | |||
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125 kB | ||
A practical activity submitted by Russell Downie. | |||
Victorian Space Science Education Centre
At Strathmore Secondary College offers programs for VCE Physics students.
Swinburne Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
Offers virtual 3D tours; a regional program is available.
IT Applications
Useful Websites
Victorian Space Science Education Centre
At Strathmore Secondary College offers programs for VCE Physics students.
Australia National Telescope Facility (ATNF)
Website for students and teachers.
Interactive Applets
Interactive Applets for Video: Galileo-Battle for the heavens.
CLEA website
Includes good downloadable exercises
American Astronomical Society
This site can access some useful educational sites of web-based courses, teaching strategies, demos, practical activities as well as software and applets. The site also gives access to sophisticated astronomy and astrophysics journals.
Committee on the Physics of the Universe
The US National Academy of Sciences' Broad Physics and Astronomy has set a committee with the task of "identifying the observational, experimental and thoeretical routes to understanding the birth and destiny of the universe, the laws that govern it, and even the nature of space and time". The committee published its report in 2000. Their plans and miniutes of meetings are also available.
Useful Video Websites
Spitzer's Spin on Stars
Spitzer's Spin on Stars. Watch this NASA video explaining the similarities between spinning stars and spinning skaters. The stars with dust clouds spin slower - similar to a skater with extended arms. Video courtesy of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. (2.5 min)
Destiny - The Sun's Fate
Like other stars of its type, our Sun will eventually become a planet-engulfing red giant (2 min video)
Time and Temperature: The Sun
Our sun is a medium-sized star. Eventually, the supply of hydrogen fuel will run down and the star will die. In the process of dying, the sun will go through stages, including becoming a red giant, core fusion and status as a white dwarf (2:15 min)