Download - GCSE Astronomy

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360ScienceThe student-centred curriculum

360Science – GCSE Astronomy

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What is covered in GCSE Astronomy?

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Course Content

• Unit 1: Planet EarthThe Earth, Days and seasons

• Unit 2: The Moon and the SunThe Moon, The Sun, Eclipses

• Unit 3: The Solar SystemPlanets and asteroids, Meteors and comets

• Unit 4: Stars and GalaxiesConstellations, Stars, Galaxies

• Unit 5: Observing techniques and space explorationObserving the Universe, Exploring the Universe

http://www.edexcel.org.uk/qualifications/QualificationDocuments.aspx?id=84123

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Unit 1: Planet Earth

• The Earth• Earth data and definitions• affect of the Moon• why the sky is blue• affects of the atmosphere on

astronomers

• Days and seasons• why we need time zones• solar and sidereal days• shadow sticks and sundials• equation of time

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Unit 2: The Moon and the Sun

• The Moon• Moon data and definitions• phases and features

• The Sun• dangers of observing the Sun• Sun data and structure• sunspots and the solar wind

• Eclipses• different types of eclipses:

lunar, solar (annular, total, partial)

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Unit 3: The Solar System

• Planets and asteroids• data and characteristics of the

nine Solar System planets• satellites and ring systems• movement and positions of the

planets• contributions of astronomers

• Meteors and comets• origin, occurrence and features

of meteor showers• origin, and features of short

and long period comets

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Unit 4: Stars and galaxies

• Constellations• locate and recognise prominent

constellations• optical double, binary and

circumpolar stars• star trails

• Stars• definitions for locating stars• light curves from variable stars• apparent and absolute magnitude• HR diagram and stellar

classification

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Unit 4: Stars and galaxies

• Galaxies• our galaxy the Milky Way• nebulae, clusters and quasars• Hubble classification of

galaxies• dark matter, the Doppler

principle and the Big Bang

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Unit 5: Observing techniques and space exploration• Observing the Universe

• different types of telescopes• location of observatories• photographic techniques• radio, UV, IR and X-ray

astronomy

• Exploring the Universe• appearance of different

objects in space• Hubble space telescope• manned and unmanned

missions

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How is GCSE Astronomy Assessed?

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Assessment

• Exam paper• 75% of final grade• one exam paper with a

combination of short and extended answer questions

• Coursework• 25% of final grade• two pieces of work required

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Internal Assessment

• It is possible to produce excellent pieces of work without using powerful telescopes or constructing mechanical models.

• Observations can be carried out with the naked eye, and does not require visits to dark sites across the country.

• The work can be hand written or word processed.

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Tasks for internal assessment

• Students must complete:

• one set of astronomical observations

and either

• one piece of graphical or computational work

or

• one piece of constructional work.

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Possible observation tasks

• Naked eye observations• observe and draw three

different constellations• use a shadow stick to record

the direction of the Sun

• Photographic, binocular and telescopic observations• observe three different

celestial objects• project the image of the sun

onto a background and observe sunspots

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Possible observation tasks

• Further tasks• use a shadow stick and

clinometer to determine latitude and longitude

• observations of Algol (Beta Persei)

• drawings/photos of eclipse, transit etc

• constellation photography• solar spectrometry

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Example of an observation task

• Moon log - observing the Moon’s phases over a lunar month• record the observations on a table• record the moon rising and setting times

Moon observed Date/time Details Lunar calendar details

Saturday 18/01/03 22.00 hrs

No Moon is visible due to cloud cover. This continued all evening. Should have been a full Moon.

Sunday 19/01/03 22.47 hrs

Viewed facing North West, Charlton / Greenwich. Gibbous, waning Moon. Very bright.

Monday 20/01/03 22.40 hrs

Unable to locate Moon, despite the clear skies. Should be a Waning Gibbous Moon. Stars visible.

Waning Gibbous

Full Moon

Waning Gibbous

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Possible graphical and computational tasks

• Graphical• construct a star chart• draw a large chart of the Moon

• Computational • write a computer programme

to plot the stars of a main constellation, and the path of a planet

• use a spreadsheet to simulate the scaled orbits of four planets around the Sun

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Possible graphical and computational tasks

• Further tasks• use a spreadsheet to plot a

H-R diagram• use a spreadsheet to show

planetary motion through the zodiac

• use PowerPoint to illustrate an aspect of Astronomy such as Stellar Evolution

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Example of a graphical and computational task

• Moon map - Draw a large chart of the Moon

• refer to photographic material to mark on features and lunar landings

• use a Moon map for this or information from websites

• there is no need to include large amounts of background material

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Possible constructional tasks

• Design, make and test:• a simple telescope• a sundial• a model of an eclipsing binary

star system• a model of the Sun-Earth-Moon

system showing eclipses

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Possible constructional tasks

• Further tasks• Construction and use of a:

• simple Spectrometer• simple Orrery• simple Moondial

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Example of a constructional task

• Sundial - design and make a sundial

• photos should be included in the coursework to show the construction process

• the sundial needs to be tested as this is part of the coursework

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Support materials for GCSE Astronomy

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Support materials available• The Coursework guide gives further information

on how students can produce A* grade coursework. It includes exemplar student’s work and how it is marked.

• The Further support for coursework gives information on other coursework tasks available and on the use of robotic telescopes.

• A scheme of work has also been independently produced for GCSE Astronomy, and can be accessed from the Association for Astronomy Education (AAE) website or from our website.

• Recently the independent produce some astronomy posters, in partnership with Edexcel.

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Edexcel GCSE Astronomy website

• This has more information on GCSE Astronomy.

• It includes:• noticeboard• specification, guidance and

support• questions and answers• useful websites• suggested resources• places to visit• astronomy organisations

http://www.edexcel.org.uk/qualifications/QualificationAward.aspx?id=49581

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Websites for live data collection

• Live images can be obtained from remote access (robotic) telescopes.

• These allow students to control where the telescope points and produce their own images.

• These live images can be used for internal assessment.

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How can GCSE Astronomy fit into the 360Science programme in your centre?

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Why learn GCSE Astronomy?

• It is a fun and interesting subject, that motivates and excites students.

• It is suitable for students of all ages who are interested in science (GCSE and A-level students and adult learners).

• Astronomy is both an ancient and a modern science, with many ongoing missions and projects.

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The Final Frontier

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The Final Frontier

• For further information on GCSE Astronomy:

Edexcel WebPages for GCSE Astronomyhttp://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/gcse/astronomy/gcse/1627

• For further information on 360Science (including GCSEs in Science)

Edexcel 360Science micrositehttp://360science.edexcel.org.uk/home/

Download - GCSE Astronomy

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