Title: Astronomy The Composition of Stars and Planets

CONTENT AREA: Earth Science - Astronomy GRADE LEVEL: Middle and High School STANDARDS: Early in the history of the universe, matter, primarily the light atoms hydrogen and helium, clumped together by gravitational attraction to form countless trillions of stars. Billions of galaxies, each of which is a gravitationally bound cluster of billions of stars, now form most of the visible mass in the universe. Stars produce energy from nuclear reaction, primarily the fusion of hydrogen to form helium. These and other processes in stars have led to the formation of all the other elements.
Fast Facts
The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model that attempts to explain the formation and development of the universe. From a single, infinitesimally small point, the universe expanded rapidly, and continues to expand today. According to most recent estimates, the universe is between 13-14 billion years old. The saying that all humans are stardust is true. Elements such as oxygen, carbon, and iron (and every other element) are forged inside giant stars. When these stars explode, they spread their elements across the galaxy. Some of these elements then came together to form Earth, and a tiny portion of those came to form each human being as well as every other living and nonliving thing!

PURPOSE: Students will understand that each celestial object is made up of the same elements we see on Earth, and that each object has a specific chemical composition. LENGTH OF TIME: 45 minutes MATERIALS: Small, sealable sandwich bags (6) Colored Sprinkles (min. three bottles of each of the following colors: Green, Blue, Red, Orange, Brown, Yellow) Copies of Student Sheet One copy of Resource Sheet

Element: In this lesson, element refers to any one of the chemical elements, of which 98 are
known to occur naturally on Earth. Elements are listed on the periodic table, and are separated into metals and non-metals. Each element consists of one type of atom characterized by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in a nucleus.

WHOLE GROUP/SMALL GROUP: 1. Discuss (review) the periodic table of elements with the whole group. a. What elements do they know? b. Where in our world can we find these elements? 2. Transition to the science of Astronomy and explain that the universe is made up of all these same elements. The sun, as well other stars, Earth, and other planets, all are made up of different elements. The universe started with just two elements: hydrogen and helium. From those two elements came stars, and from those stars came every element on the periodic table. Note to Teacher: When large stars die, they explode in an event called a supernova, spreading heavier elements (heavier than H and He), which were formed in their cores throughout their lives via nuclear fusion, across space. These elements accrete and form additional stars and planets. At least one of those planets Earth has given rise to life, made of these same elements. 3. Divide the whole group into six smaller groups, giving each group a number (1-6.) Give each group one sandwich bag with their number written on the outside of the bag. In addition, every group will receive a large amount of colored sprinkles in each color. 4. From the Resource Sheet, give each small group the Celestial Object Card that correlates to the groups number. 5. Give each student a copy of the Student Sheet and read directions as a whole group. 6. Students, in their small groups, will separate the colored sprinkles according to their Celestial Object Card and place them in their baggie. When finished adding the sprinkles, each group will shake their bag to mix up the contents. Example: Groups will estimate the amount of sprinkles needed for each color in their bag. For instance, if the group is working on Saturns Atmosphere, their bag will consist of 96% green sprinkles, 3% red sprinkles, and 1% mixed-colors (mixed colors: random selection of any colored sprinkles.) 7. When complete, give each group a different groups bag. Groups will attempt to hypothesize which celestial object they are looking at, and each member will record his/her answers on the Student Sheet. Continue rotating bags amongst groups until all groups are able to guess the remaining bodies. FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. What can a planets atmospheric composition tell us about its surface? Why do you think each celestial body is different? If we were to look at the composition of other stars, would they look similar or different to our Sun? How do you think scientists know what the Sun and other celestial bodies are made of?

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES 1. Students work in pairs and are assigned a celestial object (examples: Venus, an asteroid, the Moon, the Sun, etc.) and conduct research on the chemical composition, as well as overall makeup, shape, and location of the object, including any atmosphere it may have. Each group will present their celestial object to the whole group via PowerPoint or similar digital presentation software.

STUDENT SHEET: COMPOSITION OF THE UNIVERSE Directions: Using your Celestial Object card, your group will create the composition of your object using colored sprinkles. Fill your baggie with the proper estimated amount of the appropriate sprinkles, which will represent your Celestial Object! Hydrogen (H): Green Sprinkles Helium (He): Red Sprinkles Oxygen (O): Orange Sprinkles Nitrogen (N): Blue Sprinkles Sodium (Na): Yellow Sprinkles Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Brown Sprinkles

The Sun H: 92.1 % He: 7.8% Earth's Atmosphere N: 78.0% O: 21.0% Saturns Atmosphere H: 96.0% He: 3.0%

Mercury's Atmosphere He: 42.0% Na: 42.0% O: 15:0% Jupiters Atmosphere H: 75.0% He: 24.0% Mars Atmosphere CO2: 95.0% N: 3.0%

Use this chart below to complete the activity. Compare each bag to the above compositions. Write the name of the celestial object next to each number. Bag # Name of the Celestial Object 1 2 3 4 5 6

RESOURCE SHEET: CELESTIAL BODIES (SOURCE: NASA) Directions: Cut out and give each card to a separate group.

#1: The Sun

#2: Earths Atmosphere

H: 92.1% He: 7.8% O: 0.1% #3: Mercurys Atmosphere

N: 78% O: 21% Other: 1% #4: Jupiters Atmosphere

He: 42% Na: 42% O: 15% Other: 1% #5: Saturns Atmosphere

H: 75% He: 24% Other: 1% #6: Mars Atmosphere

H: 96% He: 3% Other: 1%

CO2: 95% N: 3% Other: 2%