Astronomy

What is astronomy?

Astronomy is the study of the sky--what we can and cannot see each night as we look up and wonder. Astronomy is not a new science, but our abilities to see further and further into the sky change each year.

This project is out of this world! The 4-H astronomy guide includes activities on stars, night vision, the moon, solar system, and telescopes. Also included is a do-it-yourself star viewer to locate the stars and constellations during different months of the year and time of the night. You can also ask your County Extension Office about the Exploring the Universe Kit. Your Club Leader can check out the kit and help you learn anything you want to know about our universe.

What projects or exhibits can I do with astronomy?

• Study the phases of the moon. What causes the moon to “change shape” each night? Do people on the other side of the world see the same phase as we do in Iowa? Create a poster telling what you discovered.
• Why does man want to go to Mars? Look into the rovers that have been placed on the surface of Mars and see what they have discovered. Make a model of one of the rovers roaming over the surface.
• What lies beyond Pluto? Scientists have many different ideas. How might you find out? Create a map of our Solar System asking the question “What lies beyond?”
• Is there more than one Universe? What are the current theories? How have these theories changed over the past 500 years? Creat a comic book that tells the story of the Universe from another perspective, such as a comet or black hole.

Resources about (topic)

• Order publications or use the online ordering system
• 4-H Astronomy Guide/star-finder (order)

Links

• Hubble Heritage Image Gallery
• NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (with explanations by top scientists)
• Astronomy.com

Images: NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)