Lesson Two : Overview
Radio Vs. optical astronomyThis lesson reviews optical and radio astronomy, the tools necessary to each and a review of how they work, and what value studies in each holds for science. It also explains how radio data is collected and analyzed, and discusses advantages and disadvantages of radio astronomy as compared to optical astronomy.
Standards
This lesson highlights some components of the National Science Education Content Standards:
- Standard A: Science As Inquiry, 9 -12
- Standard B: Physical Science, 9-12
- 9-12
- Discuss the difference between visible and radio wavelengths
- Identify different celestial objects that can be studied in visible and in radio wavelengths
- Describe the differences between what we learn about celestial objects in visible and in radio wavelengths
- Identify the different tools used for optical and radio astronomy
- Identify the two main types of optical instruments
- Articulate the difference between the two main types of optical instruments
- Identify the parts of a radio telescope
- Describe how radio signals are received and converted to useful data
- Determine how astronomers make images at radio wavelengths
- Understand the main advantages of radio and optical astronomy
- Identify the main disadvantage of radio astronomy
- Explain how radio astronomers overcome the limitations of radio astronomy