GRADE LEVEL:

7-12

TECHNOLOGY LEVEL

Moderate - high

CURRICULUM STANDARD:

ESS-H-C1 ESS-H-D2

OVERIVEW: 

This lesson contains 5 activities that are meant to be an introduction to the structure of the universe and how scientists classify and organize the many diverse objects. If you are not studying galaxies, this lesson may still be useful as it models the process by which scientists group or classify objects in nature.

OBJECTIVES: 

Students will be able to

•   Describe Charles Messier's reason for creating a list of dark sky objects.
•   Distinguish between nebulas, clusters and galaxies.
•   Classify Messier objects into the three main groups.
•   Classify galaxies into groups according the Edwin Hubble's "Tuning Fork" diagram.
•   Describe Hubble's galaxy classification.
•   Use their knowledge the Messier objects to place them onto a timeline showing their relative age.
•   Use Starry Night Pro to find and investigate Messier objects in the sky.
•   View images of Messier objects taken with the HRPO telescope.

MATERIALS: 

Charles Messier Worksheet, Messier Catalog Object Worksheet, Messier Object Classification Worksheet; Hubble Galaxy Sequence Worksheet, Universe Timeline Worksheet; Starry Night Pro;

RESOURCES: 

Background material, web sites listed at end

PROCEDURE:

Messier Classification and Objects

1. 1. Have students (or teacher, depending on computer situation)
   go to the SEDS Messier Catalog web page (http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/messier/Messier.html) to obtain information about Charles Messier and the Messier Catalog.
   See Background Information

2. Students will browse the site for information and complete the Charles Messier Worksheet, filling in the answers as they find them. This can be an individual or group led activity. If time is short, the information can be obtained outside of class.

3. Use the transparency masters to discuss each type of Messier object. Direct students to the Catalog Objects page for further information.
   See Background Information

4. Using the SEDS Messier Catalog Objects page, (http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/messier/objects.html) have students explore the types of objects included in the catalog (clusters, nebula and galaxies).

5. Complete the Messier Catalog Object Worksheet with the information found at this web page.

6. To evaluate students, have them complete the Messier Objects Worksheet. They may use the previous worksheet to assist or may be completed as part of a group. This may also be used as a quiz for object classification.

7. At this point students should be familiar with Messier, Messier objects and their classification.

1. Using the information gained above, allow students to explore galaxy classification.
   See Background Information
2. Use the web site listed below for introduction to Edwin Hubble's galaxy classification. Allow students (or teacher depending on computer situation) to go through website. (http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~js/ast123/lectures/lec13.html)
3. Students will then complete the Hubble Galaxy Sequence Worksheet.
4. For further practice you can use the Hubble Deep Field picture to show a GREAT many galaxy types.
   Good place for picture is the Astronomy Picture of the Day site:
   http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000709.html

1. Students will now be able to piece together a time line of the Messier objects. The web site (http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~js/ast123/lectures/lec13.html) has information about the relative ages of the different deep sky objects. See Background Information
2. Have students complete the Universe Time Line Worksheet.

1. 1. Students may use SNP to do investigations of the Messier objects. This program is a very powerful tool for classroom use.
2. 2. Have students (individually or groups) choose any number of Messier objects (teacher choice).
3. 3. Find their particular object and record the information. Such information as type (galaxy, nebula, or cluster), specific type of each one (spiral, elliptical, etc), with which constellation is the object associated, Hubble class, sketch the object. These are a few of the questions, you can come up with some to suit your particular needs in your classroom.
4. 4. Basic set-up is the following: bold=menu; italic=selection; ON or OFF
1. Start up SNP.
2. Sky; Daylight (OFF)
3. Label Settings (icon); Turn all off except planets and Messier objects.
4. Students then place mouse over object until screen shows information about object.
5. Right click
6. Info Window; Record required information
7. Magnify; Program takes you there (actually an image) Students will get a closer look at their object.

1. Use the Highland Road Park Observatory (HRPO) to take pictures of a Messier object of interest.
2. Choose one of the following Messier objects. Each is season specific and should have some seasonal overlap.
3. In general a 60 second exposure will produce a very nice image. Take a series of exposures (5) and then take 3 dark frame images of the same exposure time. This will allow for image processing with the AIP4Win (Astronomical Image Processing for Windows) program giving the best image.
4. Choose one of the following Messier objects.
   

   Month	Messier Object	Direction
   Sept	M30 Globular Cluster  M31 Andromeda Galaxy	SE NE
   Oct	M30  M31  M57 Ring Nebula	S  NE NW
   Nov	M57 M31 M45 The Pleiades	NW NE E
   Dec	M45 M1 Crab Nebula  M42 Orion Nebula	E E ESE
   Jan	M45  M1  M42	S E SE
   Feb	M1 M42 M81 Cigar Galaxy M82 Bodes Galaxy	S S NNE NNE
   Mar	M81  M82  M44 Beehive Cluster	NNE  NNE  SE
   Apr	M81  M82  M50 Cluster  M49 Elliptical Galaxy  M51 Whirlpool Galaxy  M104 Sombrero Galaxy	N  N  SSW  ESE  NE  SE

   
   Obviously, these are not all of the Messier objects, but just a sampling of the various types of objects in the sky. Using SNP or a star chart, you should be able to find any of the Messier objects that are “in season”.