Astronomy Resources

Reasons for the Seasons - direct & indirect causes of the Earth's seasons
It's Just a Phase... - Moon phases & eclipses
Ocean Ups and Downs - ocean tide cycles, including correlations with the cycle of Moon phases
Grade 8 Physical Science Astronomy BINGO! - Astronomy, Moon Phases & Eclipses, Ocean Tides, and Seasons
1. BINGO! Cards
2. Vocabulary
3. Vocabulary (including correlations with "Windows on Science," Earth Science, Volume II videodisc)
A quartet of day-sky observing activities:
1. Measuring the Sun's diameter (coming soon!)
2. "Girth Day" (like "Earth Day") - Measuring the Earth's circumference (coming soon!)
3. Sundials! Assemble and/or observe a sundial:
  1. Equatorial sundial (see instructions re: assembly). Learn more about equatorial sundials; complete the SCSA Equatorial Sundial Activity (classroom-ready).
  2. Horizontal sundial (see directions re: set-up & use).
  3. The EarthDial Project - FCPS/NOVAC EarthDial Webcam - real-time display of a horizontal sundial with a vertical gnomon. Complete the SCSA EarthDial Activity (classroom-ready).
4. Observing sunspots - spaceweather.com, featuring links to the latest SOHO imagery and today's sunspot number
Additional astronomy-related resources available from the Sandburg Planetarium, a.k.a., Sandburg Center for Sky Awareness (SCSA), a Fairfax County Public Schools planetarium