Unschooling Resources: Astronomy
Books
Bedroom
Astronomy: Science that Really Sticks to Your Ceiling
by the editors of Klutz
Like all Klutz books, this one is packed full of cool information in
an extremely readable format. Includes glow-in-the-dark stars to stick
on the ceiling (and you can put them exactly where they're supposed
to go by shining a flashlight through the special pages in the book).
Much more than just putting stars on the walls (including sections like
"The Amazing Shrinking Moon," "Why Are Spirals So Popular,"
"Attack of the Gamma Rays" and much, much more), this book
is, as my son says, "Awesome!"
Movies
Carl
Sagan's Cosmos
"In his 'ship of the imagination,' Sagan guides us to the farthest
reaches of space and takes us back into the history of scientific inquiry,
from the ancient library of Alexandria to the NASA probes of our neighboring
planets. Upon this vast canvas Sagan presents the "cosmic calendar,"
placing the 15-billion-year history of the universe into an accessible
one-year framework, then filling it with a stunning chronology of events,
both interstellar and earthbound. From
the lives of the stars, to creation theories, functions of the human
brain, and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, Cosmos
asks big questions. When appropriate, Sagan offers big answers, or asks
still bigger--and yes, even spiritual--questions at the boundaries of
science and religion. What's most remarkable about Cosmos is that it
remains almost entirely fresh, with few updates needed to the science
that Sagan so passionately celebrates. It is no exaggeration to say
that Cosmos--for all the debate it may continue to provoke--is a vital
document for humanity at a pivotal crossroads of our history."
Websites
Buying
Your First Telescope
A highly informative (yet simple) article about how to choose your first
telescope. Remember, it's not the magnification power that matters,
but the size of the aperture!
Calendars
Through the Ages
Wonderful site on the history, astronomy and mathematics behind the
world's calendars.
Celestial
Navigation
"Celestial Navigation is the art and science of finding your way
by the sun, moon, stars, and planets, and, in one form or another, is
one of the oldest practices in human history. This webpage is an attempt
to bring together all of the best Celestial Navigation resources on
the internet, with pointers to other resources as well."
The
Dome of the Sky
"View the stars from different latitudes north and south. Learn
the star names and the constellations!" Wonder what the sky will
look like tonight? Find out here.
How
big is the solar system?
A "class project," but a great idea, and easy to do outside
a classroom setting.
How
to Build a Dobsonian Telescope
Step by step instructions
HubbleSite
"At the Space Telescope Science Institute, we’re working
hard to study and explain the once-unimaginable celestial phenomena
now made visible using Hubble’s cutting-edge technology. In the
course of this exploration we will continue to share with you the grace
and beauty of the universe… because the discoveries belong to
all of us." Hauntingly beautiful images from NASA's Hubble Space
Telescope. The site also includes lots of information, an astronomy
podcast, and many wonderful games and activities. A real treasure.
Mars
Quest Online
NASA
Kids
NASA's
Cool Cosmos
NASA's
EdSpace
Cool site with lots of video clips. Check out the "Living in Space"
section.
NASA's
Solar System Generator
NASA's
Space Place
NASA's
StarChild
SPACE
Kids
resembles an online magazine
SpaceWander.com
Your
Weight on Other Worlds
