Outreach Resources
Astronomy Activities & Resources
-
Be the Local Transit Authority [Activity - Shadows and Silhouettes]
- Teen, Adult
- 1/11/2019
This activity helps you demonstrate how transits of our Sun by Venus and Mercury work, and how transits are used to detect exoplanets.
-
Does the Moon Rotate? [Activity - Shadows and Silhouettes]
- Teen, Adult
- 10/20/2008
Many people think that the moon doesn't rotate, but it actually does! This fun activity helps you demonstrate this rather unintuitive fact using your visitors, a few props, and the Sun's light.
-
Planet Phases: Why Does Venus Look Like the Moon? [Activity - Shadows and Silhouettes]
- Teen, Adult
- 10/20/2008
You've seen the phases of the Moon. Did you know we also see the phases of two planets? Here is a great way to explain why we see phases of Venus when looking through the telescope.
-
Shadows & Silhouettes ToolKit - Main Page & Manual
- Teen, Adult
- 9/24/2006
Full manual for the Shadows & Silhouettes ToolKit. Hands-on activities on Moon phases, lunar and solar eclipses, transits, and Venus phases.
-
Skywatcher's Guide to the Moon [Handout - Shadows and Silhouettes]
- Teen, Adult
- 10/20/2008
Use this moon map to identify some of its most famous features, find out where the astronauts landed, and what fills its "seas."
-
Spotting Craters [Activity - Shadows and Silhouettes]
- Teen, Adult
- 8/18/2009
Use a flour model of the surface of the Moon to show how shadows show more details than direct light. Participants see the difference between what is observable during a full Moon and a partially dark Moon.
-
Standing in the Shadow of Earth [Activity - Shadows and Silhouettes]
- Teen, Adult
- 10/20/2008
Show your visitors that watching the sun set also means watching the night rise. Turn away from the setting sun to watch the shadow of our planet rise up in the east as night rises during these long winter nights.
-
Trip Around the Triangle [Activity & Handout - Shadows and Silhouettes]
- Teen, Adult
- 8/18/2009
This activity is a great way to organize a star party, and gives visitors context to what they will be viewing as they tour the telescopes and observe a variety of naked-eye and telescopic treats that occupy the Summer Triangle.
-
What is a Habitable Zone? [Activity - Shadows and Silhouettes]
- Teen, Adult
- 8/21/2009
Model the habitable zone around stars and how an atmosphere influences the habitability of a planet.
Find out about the NASA Kepler Mission which is searching for Earth-like planets around other stars.
-
Why Do Eclipses Happen? - The Yardstick Eclipse Demonstration [Activity]
- Teen, Adult
- 10/20/2008
Using simple materials, participants create 3D models of the Earth, Moon and Sun and demonstrate solar and lunar eclipses.
-
Why Does the Moon Have Phases? [Activity - Shadows and Silhouettes]
- Teen, Adult
- 10/20/2008
This activity gives your visitors simple 3D models to help demonstrate the science of why the Moon has phases.
-
Why Don't Eclipses Happen Every Month? [Activity]
- Teen, Adult
- 10/20/2008
Create 3D models of the Earth, Moon and Sun and demonstrate solar and lunar eclipse in this group activity. Show why we do not see eclipses at every full and new Moon.