Chapter 25: Search for Solutions "The Space Academy"

Introduction
Students have read about how Ronald Reagan strongly supported the nation's space program. In this lesson, student will take a closer look at U.S. space exploration.

Lesson Description
Students will visit the NASA Web site. They will follow the colorful prompts through a series of activities about space photography and the search for life on other planets. They also will examine the connection between space research and improving life here on Planet Earth. Then they will apply what they have learned by answering four questions.

Instructional Objective
Students will perform various activities to learn about advanced scientific concepts.

Student Web Activity Answers
1. Farming, drilling for oil and other valuable minerals, taking care of the forests, building cities, and controlling floods can all be done from outer space. Detailed images of the ground enable us to take better care of our planet.
2. The barycenter is the center of mass (as opposed to the center of gravity). A wobbling star could indicate that a large planet with a great deal of gravity is nearby, meaning that perhaps there is life on the planet.
3. In dart throwing, you look for the target's exact center. In planet hunting, you look for the star and planet barycenter.
4. Mirrors perform the same job as lenses but are easier to work with.

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