Overview

One of the cutting-edge areas of astronomy have to do with the where our solar system ends and where interstellar space begins. The Sun's influence extends much further than we previously thought, and we have just started to explore the outer edges of our home solar system with space probes launched in the 1970's. What kind of objects are out that far from the Sun?This Course includes the following great BONUS LESSONS:What on Earth is Astronomy?Mini-Lesson: EclipsesMini-Lesson: Meteor ShowersMini-Lesson: AuroraProject Artemis: America Returns to the MoonThe Edge of Interstellar Space1. Objective2. Warm-up activity3. Overview of our Solar System4. Perspectives on size and distance5. Brief discussion of the Sun6. The boundaries of the Solar System7. Astronomical units of measurement8. Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs)9. Scattered-disk objects (SDOs)10. Dwarf Planets11. The Kuiper Belt12. The definition of a planet13. The dwarf planet Sedna14. Eccentric orbits and the plane of the Solar System15. The dwarf planet Pluto16. The New Horizons mission to Pluto17. The Asteroid Belt18. The dwarf planet Ceres19. Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs)20. Dwarf planet Haumea21. Dwarf planet Eris22. Moons of the outer Solar System23. The Oort Cloud24. Short- and long-period comets25. Absolute zero26. The interstellar medium27. The Solar System's place in the Milky Way Galaxy28. Bow shock and bow waves29. The heliopause30. Termination shock31. The Voyager and Pioneer missions32. Test questions33. Cross-curricular activitiesMy name is Tony Ceraso and I will be your instructor. I sometimes run the planetarium and have written curriculum for the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. I have also written curriculum for NASA's school visitation program and teach on the college level in NJ.My goal is for you to thoroughly enjoy this lesson. I love astronomy and I want nothing more out of our time together than for you to have a greater appreciation for the universe through the understanding of this material. Besides the lesson I'm going to preview for you now, the course includes warm up activities, test questions, and cross-curricular activities for you to download as a supplement.

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