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This implementation plan aims to address the state science standards by exploring the physical characteristics and orbits of asteroids and comets. Key concepts include shapes of orbits, composition determination, and solar system formation. Utilize the Planetary Data System for archive resources. Design a method to analyze objects' positions in the Solar System. Encourage students to draw conclusions about asteroids and comets based on imaging data. Additional inquiry avenues and assessment suggestions are provided for comprehensive learning.
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Judit Ries Rajib Ganguly Implementation Planning:Small Solar System Objects
Context The Texas State Science Education Standards says “Identify characteristics of objects in our solar system including the Sun, planets, meteorites, asteroids, and moons” The Wyoming State Science is less clear, but does mention formation and evolution of the solar system
Goals To address the state science standards. Explore the physical characteristics and orbits of asteroids and comets. Key Concepts addressed: Physical Shapes of Orbits Qualitative determination of composition (rocky, volatiles) of objects using imaging data Formation of the Solar System
Materials: Use the Planetary Data System Asteroid/Dust Archive: http://www.psi.edu/pds/ Images of small bodies → web search Spreadsheet program
Prior Knowledge Geometry of an ellipse: semi-major axis, eccentricity Temperature dependence of state of solids, liquids, and gases
Implementation Plan Grab: semi-major axes, eccentricities and inclination, and images of both asteroids and comets Design a convenient way to look at where objects reside in the Solar System, and als From the images, students should conclude that asteroids are rocky bodies and comets are icy bodies. Students should conclude that comets are colder/icier and more distant; asteroid are rockier and closer.
Implementation Plan Possible Avenue for Inquiry: Where do colder/hotter objects reside in the Solar System? Where did each of types of objects form? What does this imply about how the Solar System formed? What are the orbital inclinations of asteroids compared to comets? What does this imply about how the Solar System evolved?
Assessment Compare your conclusions with other groups.