Fairfax County Public Schools
Elementary/Middle School
Program of Studies (POS) in Astronomy
The Sun and Its Neighbors affords all fourth level students an
opportunity to visit a Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) planetarium
to observe and study the many celestial objects in our solar system, and
to investigate the night sky as seen from Fairfax County one hour after
sunset. The students will be introduced to the planetarium instrument, the
Sun, and the planets.
- Observe and discuss how the planetarium instrument produces the night sky.
- Observe the apparent motion of the Sun from sunrise to sunset.
- Identify the following: horizon; cardinal points; zenith; meridian; and
the North Star Polaris.
- Locate and identify Polaris, Big Dipper, four seasonal zodiac
constellations, the Moon (if visible), and the visible planets.
- Observe and plot the diurnal [and annual] motion of the Sun.
- Observe the orbital paths of the planets around the Sun, describe the
relative periods of revolution, and describe the planets' distances from
the Sun.
- Name and describe the physical characteristics of the Sun and the planets.
- Construct a star map of the night sky showing the position of the Moon
(if visible), the visible planets, and several constellations.
- Explain the reason for night and day.
Stars and Constellations allows all level five students to visit a
FCPS planetarium to observe and study selected seasonal and polar
constellations, investigate the diurnal motion of the Sun and stars, and
locate the visible planets.
- Locate and identify the Sun, the Moon, and the visible planets.
- Construct and use a star wheel [starfinder].
- Determine the position of the cardinal points, the zenith, and the
meridian.
- Locate and identify three polar and three seasonal constellations.
- Plot the diurnal paths of selected celestial objects and
constellations as seen from Fairfax County.
- Name, identify, and describe positional relationships among several
star groups at four different times--sunset, 9 p.m., midnight, and 3
a.m.--as seen from Fairfax County.
Earth and Space Systems will enable all level eight students to
visit a FCPS planetarium to observe and study the Moon and its phases,
lunar and solar eclipses, ocean tides, and change of seasons.
Benchmark 8.1.13 (SOL 6.10) - Students investigate the arrangement
and movement of the Sun, Moon, and Earth to visualize daily, monthly, and
yearly cycles.
- Distinguish between rotation and revolution. (8.1.13-1)
- Use a model to demonstrate the relationship between the Earth's
rotation and time of day. (8.1.13-2)
- Use a model to demonstrate what causes the phases of the Moon.
(8.1.13-3)
- Explain eclipses. (8.1.13-4)
- Relate the daily and monthly pattern of [ocean] tides to the motions
of the Earth and Moon. (8.1.13-5)
- Relate the tilt of the Earth's axis to seasonal changes. (8.1.13-6)
Benchmark 8.1.14 (SOL 6.10 and SOL PS .9) - Students investigate
the production of energy by the Sun and the transmission of the Sun's
energy to Earth as electromagnetic waves.
- Relate the characteristics of transverse waves to the Sun's
radiation. (8.1.14-1)
- Compare the various types of electromagnetic waves in terms of
wavelength, frequency, energy, and work. (8.1.14-2)
- Illustrate the transfer of energy from the Sun to the Earth (nuclear
energy to radiant energy) (8.1.14-3)
- Relate solar energy to seasonal changes. (8.1.14-4)
Benchmark 8.1.15 (SOL 6.10) - Students investigate tools of the
astronomer to demonstrate how technology has changed our vision of the
universe.
- Explain how telescopes operate. (8.1.15-1)
- Apply the use of telescopes and spectroscopes to astronomical
observation. (8.1.15-2)
- Describe the advantages of space-based versus land-based
observations. (8.1.15-3)
- Cite examples of how improved technology has increased our knowledge
of objects in the universe. (8.1.15-4)