Interactive Models
Safely Observing the Sun
Overview
In this interactive, students will explore safe methods for viewing the Sun at home or in the classroom, including using solar eclipse glasses and a pinhole projector. The interactive includes a video that explains how the projector works and how to build one.
Materials Required
Resources Needed Per Student:
Resources Needed Per Group:
- Computer/Tablet
- Internet Access
- Link to the "Safely Observing the Sun" Interactive Slide Deck - Link
Directions
Remember to never look directly at the Sun without proper safety equipment.
Use the slide deck to look at NASA images and visualizations of space weather.
- Open the "Safely Observing the Sun" Interactive Slide Deck.
- Use the slides in edit mode in order to manipulate the slides.
- Build a pinhole projector using the instruction in the slide deck.
- Go outside and make a Sun observation with your pinhole projector. Document your observation in the slide deck.
Teacher Note
Teachers who are interested in receiving the answer key, please complete the Teacher Key Request and Verification Form. We verify that requestors are teachers prior to sending access to the answer keys as we’ve had many students try to pass as teachers to gain access.
Supported NGSS Performance Expectations
- MS-ESS1-1: Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the Sun and Moon, and seasons.
- MS-ESS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.
- MS-ESS1-3: Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.
- HS-ESS1-4: Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system.
- HS-PS2-4: Use mathematical representations of Newton’s Law of Gravitation and Coulomb’s Law to describe and predict the gravitational and electrostatic forces between objects.
- HS-PS4-3: Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning behind the idea that electromagnetic radiation can be described either by a wave model or a particle model, and that for some situations one model is more useful than the other.
- Students will build and use a pinhole projector to make observations of the Sun.
- How do you safely observe the Sun?
- Internet Required
- One-to-a-Group
Complementary Models
Complementary Mini Lessons
Interactive Files
Grade Band
- 6-8
- 9-12
Time
- 50 minutes
