Digital Universe

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An exciting opportunity for your students to explore the world’s most extensive, accurate three-dimensional mapping of the universe. The planetarium’s state-of-the-art digital software allows students to interact with the presenter while touring the stars of the Milky Way Galaxy, nebulae, clusters of galaxies, and quasars all the way out to the edge of the observable universe. A brief tour of the current seasonal night sky precedes this program.

State Standards, Benchmarks, and GLEs

Grade 8

SI-M-B3: understanding that mathematics, technology, and scientific techniques used in an experiment can limit or enhance the accuracy of scientific knowledge.

SI-M-B6: communicating that scientific investigations can result in new ideas, new methods or procedures, and new technologies.

PS-M-C3: understanding that the sun is a major source of energy and that energy arrives at the earth's surface as light with a range of wavelengths.

ESS-M-C1: identifying the characteristics of the sun and other stars.

ESS-M-C2: comparing and contrasting the celestial bodies in our solar system.

ESS-M-C3: investigating the force of gravity and the ways gravity governs motion in the solar system and objects on earth.

ESS-M-C4: modeling the motions of the earth-moon-sun system to explain day and night.

ESS-M-C5: modeling the position of the earth in relationship to other objects in the solar system.

ESS-M-C8: understanding that space exploration is an active area of scientific and technological research and development.

Grades 9-12

SI-H-A3: using technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications.

SI-H-A4: formulating and revising scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence.

SI-H-B1: communicating that scientists usually base their investigations on existing models, explanations, and theories.

SI-H-B2: communicating that scientists conduct investigations for a variety of reasons, such as exploration of new areas, discovery of new aspects of the natural world, confirmation of prior investigations, evaluation of current theories, and comparison of models and theories.

SI-H-B3: communicating that scientists rely on technology to enhance the gathering and manipulation of data.

SI-H-B5: communicating that the results of scientific inquiry, new knowledge, and methods emerge from different types of investigations and public communication among scientists.

ESS-H-A1: investigating the methods of energy transfer and identifying the sun as the major source of energy for most of the earth's systems.

ESS-H-D1: identifying scientific evidence that supports the latest theory of the age and origin of the universe.

ESS-H-D2: describing the organization of the known universe.

ESS-H-D3: comparing and contrasting the sun with other stars.

ESS-H-D7: describe the impact of technology on the study of the earth, the solar system, and the universe.