Resources

Student Resources

Highlights of Astronomy - From the Ancients to SETI

Nourse, Alan E. Radio Astronomy. Franklin Watts, 1989.

A Venture book for young adults; "from Galileo's early experiments with the telescope to today's 'Big Bang', Alan E. Nourse's riveting chronicle illuminates some of the amazing mysteries of deep space."

The Solar System

Asimov, Isaac. The Asteroids. New York: Gareth Stevens, 1988.

This title is only one in the Library of the Universe series, a collection of books with engaging pictures and easy-to-read text. Look for others such as Comets and Meteors and Our Solar System as well as books in the How Did We Find Out? series that include one on the evidence that led to the discovery of Pluto.

Goodman, Susan. Amazing Spacefacts: Solar System-Stars-Space Travel. New York. Peter Bedrick Books, 1993.

A concise paperback which lists many facts and uses many excellent full color photographs and illustrations. Suitable for middle school to adult levels.

Sarnoff, Jane and Reynold Ruffins. Space: A Fact and Riddle Book. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1978.

Detailed information about each solar object is combined with diagrams, colorful illustrations and witty riddles about space topics in general.

Yenne, Bill. The Atlas of the Solar System. New York: Exeter Books, 1987.

A comprehensive reference on the Solar System.

In addition, the following authors have written a number of books on individual solar objects: Isaac Asimov, Franklin Branley, David Darling, Roy Gallant, David Lambert and Seymour Simon.

Evolution of the Solar System, Earth and Life on Earth

Benton, Michael. The Story of Life on Earth. New York: Warwick Press, 1986.

Michael Benton’s book traces the origins and development of life on Earth. It focuses on the use of evidence from ancient rocks to determine the age of the Earth, how continents are moving and what life forms have existed. It also includes useful diagrams of the arrangement of the continents during key eras.

Branley, Franklin. The Beginning of the Earth. New York: Crowell, 1972.

A simple version of the formation and evolution of Earth. Use this book for its lively illustrations or read it without showing illustrations so that students can make their own storyboard drawings of Earth’s early formation.

Minelli, Giuseppe. The Evolution of Life . New York: Facts on File, 1986.

Another picturesque history of the formation of our planetary system and the development of life on Earth.

Teacher Resources

Books and Articles

Gallant, Roy. Before the Sun Dies: The Story of Evolution. New York: Macmillan, 1989.

Although this is considered a children’s book, it is a complete, well-written volume on the evolution of the Solar System, Earth and life that would be an excellent resource for a teacher about to plunge into this subject.

Goldsmith, Donald. The Quest for Extraterrestrial Life: A Book of Readings. Mill Valley, California. University Science Books, 1980.

This is a complete adult reference explaining many of the scientific concepts that make a search for extraterrestrial life plausible. It covers the historical perspective, the origins of life, and the search for life in the solar system, as well as intelligent life outside of our Solar system. This is very technical; a good reference book.

Goldsmith, Donald and Tobias Owen. The Search for Life in the Universe. Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 1980.

This is a complete reference explaining many of the scientific concepts that make a search for extraterrestrial life plausible.

Sagan, Carl et al. Murmurs of Earth: The Voyager Interstellar Record. Ballantine Books, 1978.

This classic book tells the story of the Voyager Record, Earth's only attempt to send a message describing humanity out to the stars. This book is out of print, but is still available when purchased with a CD-ROM that contains all of the photographic images sent with Voyager.

Wilford, John Noble. Mars Beckons: the Mysteries, the Challenges, the Expectations of Our Next Great Adventure in Space. Alfred A. Knopf, 1990.

A complete history of man's involvement with the red planet, including analyses of what Mars is like today, what it may have been like in the past, and the possibility for the existence of life on Mars.

Magazines

Sky and Telescope. Sky Publishing Corporation.

Monthly, excellent photography, up-to-date articles, primarily written for the hobbyist astronomer. Good source for information on practical use of small telescopes.

Additional Activities

Exploratorium Teacher Institute. The Exploratorium Science Snackbook. The Exploratorium, San Francisco, 1991.

This book has 107 "snacks", which are little activities based upon display exhibits in the Exploratorium, a hands-on science museum. These are not limited to astronomy, but include excellent demonstrations and activities for a variety of science courses. These are excellent! Order by calling 1-800-359-9899 or mail to Exploratorium, Mail Order Department, 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA 94123; (415) 561-0393.

Gardner, Robert. Projects in Space Science. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1988.

This book has a number of additional educational activities, such as measuring the Sun’s diameter and building a spectroscope, as well as explanations of scientific principles of motion and their relevance to space travel. This reference is for the student (or teacher) who wants more.

Schaaf, Fred. Seeing the Sky: 100 Projects, Activities, and Explorations in Astronomy. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1990.

This book is a hands-on introduction to the art and science of astronomical observation, written for the junior-high level and up. These are all no-cost experiments that only require the naked eye and common household materials.

Tennessee Space Week. Lesson Plan Booklet. Tennessee Space Week, 1992.

Tennessee Space Week, NASA, and U.S. Space Camp have compiled 64 space-related activities for various grade levels, from K - 12. These activities include language arts, social studies, art, and math tie-ins. Order from Tennessee Space Week Mission Control, Tennessee Education Association, 801 Second Ave., North, Nashville, TN 37201-1099; (615) 242-8392.

Resource Centers

For additional NASA teacher materials, including available videos on Mars and information about educational programs, contact the following or the NASA Teacher Resource Center nearest you or contact:

Ames Research Center
Mail Stop T025
Moffett Field, CA 94035
(415)604-3574

This is a free newsletter. It's chock full of the latest NASA information, research, and educational resource materials for teachers. Write to:

Educational Horizons NASA
Educational Publications Services, XEP
Washington, DC 20546

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, through its Public Education Office, sponsor educators' conferences and provides materials on planetary missions. To get on their mailing list write to:

Richard Alvidrez, Manager
Public Education Office
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109-8099

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific produces an excellent free quarterly newsletter for teachers of 3rd through 12th grade students that supplies clear, non technical articles on developments in astronomy, practical lessons for the classroom, and lists of books and audiovisual resources. They also have a catalog of slide sets, video and audio tapes, computer software, posters, and gifts, all related to astronomy. To be put on the mailing list, or receive a catalog, write to:

Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Teachers Newletter, Dept. N
390 Ashton Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112

The Planetary Society is a nonprofit organization for people interested in space exploration. Members receive The Planetary Report, a bimonthly magazine with beautifully illustrated articles. They have an annual catalog of books, slide sets, video tapes, models, computer software, posters (including Jon Lomberg lithographs), T-shirts, and gifts, all related to astronomy. To join or to receive a catalog, write to:

The Planetary Society
65 North Catalina Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106

Films, Videos, Laser Discs and Computer Software:

Discover Space. Ages 12 to adult.

A complete astronomy reference program. For PC.

Distant Suns. Ages 12 to adult.

A complete astronomy reference program that allows you to pick a date and view the stars and sky at that time. For PC.

The Great Solar System Rescue. Grades 5-8. Tom Snyder Productions.

This interactive videodisk is an excellent extension that requires cooperative problem solving as teams of experts search for lost probes in the Solar System. It also contains a video library and hands-on experiments. This is a challenging and exciting resource for those with the laser disc and computer capabilities. (Call 800-342-0236 for more information.)

Images of Mars. Not rated. Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

This "Electronic PictureBook" contains re-processed photos of the Red Planet taken during the Viking Mission. "Students will find this an informative introduction to the planet and its beautiful, but hostile, terrain." Two diskettes.

Powers of Ten . Grades K-12, 8 minutes, Pyramid.

From a picnic on the ground to the outer reaches of space by Powers of Ten, this video graphically supports the large numbers involved in solar sizes and distances.

Sim Earth. Maxis (800-23 MAXIS)

This is a popular computer simulation that allows players to manipulate the conditions of Earth’s environment. Students learn through experience the delicate balance that exists between each of the variables that allow Earth to remain a habitable planet.

Where in Space is Carmen Sandiego? Broderbund (800-521-6263)

This new product in the Carmen Sandiego software series exploits the urge to solve a mystery by weaving in clues that require players to know or find out information about the Solar System. Students find this adventure an enjoyable way to use their knowledge.

The Solar System. Grades 7-12, 20 min., Britannica.

Using animation and NASA footage, students take a voyage through space, view the origins of the Solar System and learn the geologic makeup of each planet.