Students measure sunspot speeds and shapes across the solar disk to determine whether the spots are on the Sun or are planets revolving around it (Galileo's dilemma). Includes links to hands-on demonstration of concepts.

This unit introduces students to some general concepts of astronomy. Topics include geocentric versus heliocentric theories of the solar system and how they explain the sun's movements, sidereal days versus solar days,...

This collection of lecture notes discusses the fundamentals of astronomy. The lecture notes review the topics of celestial mechanics, light, matter, planets, telescopes, the sun, stellar astronomy, stellar evolution,...

Our Sun is an ordinary star; however, as our own star, it holds special status for us and is essential to our existence. The Sun's gravity holds the solar system together, and nuclear fusion within the Sun supplies the...

Students experiment with plants, light, heat, and water evaporation. They experiment with solar cells to design a simple solar cooker, create a "solar-powered" method to perform a routine task, or build a parabolic solar...