PIRA #

Demonstration Name

Abstract

8A05.10

Calender Wheels

Native American celestial calendar wheels and how to construct them. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 37(8), 476]

8A05.15

Stonehenge

Many models of this famous megalith are available.

8A05.16

Megaliths

Some historical background on megalithic astronomy. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 45(2), 125]

8A05.20a

Constellations

Constellations used to interpret historical legends. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT, 31(6), 383]

8A05.20b

Constellations

The Big Dipper used to tell time. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT, 29(2), 80]

8A05.30a

Eratosthenes measurement of Earth's radius

Eratosthenes determination of the circumference of the Earth updated by doing the experiment from an aircraft. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 25(8), 500]

8A05.30b

Eratosthenes measurement of Earth's radius

Eratosthenes experiment redone using meter sticks instead of wells. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 26(3), 154]

8A05.30c

Measurement of Earth's radius

The calculation done using feet and miles. Also several other neat problems using Earth's radius as a starting point. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 31(9), 519]

8A05.30d

Measurement of Earth's diameter

A GPS is used to calculate the diameter of the Earth. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 38(6), 360]

8A05.30e

Eratosthenes measurement of Earth's radius

Trying to calculate the radius of the Earth by watching the Sun set twice, once from the bottom and then from the top of a tall building. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 31(7), 440]

8A05.30f

Eratosthenes - scale of Earth/Moon/Sun system

Using Eratosthenes calculation of the diameter of the Earth to calculate the size of the Moon. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 38(3), 179]

8A05.33

Eudoxus: homocentric spheres models

Two homocentric models of Eudoxus: one shows the motion of the Sun, the other shows retrograde motion. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP, 31(6),456]

8A05.35

Ptolemaic and Copernican orbits

An analog computer (circuit given) displays orbits and epicycles on an oscilloscope. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP, 30(9),615]

8A05.40a

Kepler and planetary orbits

A photographic solution to Kepler's laws. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP, 69(4), 481]

8A05.40b

Kepler and planetary orbits

An unusual verification of Kepler's first law. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP, 69(10), 1036]

8A05.40c

Kepler and planetary orbits

A graphical representation of Kepler's third law. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 36(4), 212]

8A05.40d

Kepler and planetary orbits

Kepler's third law calculations without a calculator. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 42(9), 530]

8A05.40e

Kepler and planetary orbits

Kepler's third law and the rise time of stars. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 25(8), 493]

8A05.40f

Kepler and planetary orbits

Applying Kepler's third law to elliptical orbits. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 34(1), 42]

8A05.40g

Kepler and planetary orbits

Measuring an asteroids orbit to test Kepler's first and second law. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 36(1), 40]

8A05.50

Sundial

A Plexiglas model of a sundial. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 52(2),185]

8A05.50

Sundial

Detailed descriptions, pictures, and how to time correct a sundial. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 10(3), 117]

8A05.50

Sundial, solar pocket watch

Picture of a portable sundial (solar pocket watch) dated 1573. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 41(5), 268]

8A05.50

Sundial

Constructing a portable sundial. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 37(2), 113]

8A05.50

Sundial, solar pocket watch

Additional observations on [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 41(5), 268].

8A05.55

Horizontal sundial

An analytic solution for determining the markings on a sundial and a description of construction. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 42(5),372]

8A05.60

Cross-staff

Cut a meter stick into 57 1/3 cm and 42 2/3 cm. (At 57 1/3 cm one degree equals one cm.) Some refinements. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 33(2),165]

8A05.70

Sextant

Pictures of and directions for sextants.

8A05.70

Sextant

An easily constructed mini-sextant and directions for it's use. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 38(4), 238]

8A05.80

Artificial Horizon

A mercury filled dish that is used for an artificial horizon when taking measurements with a sextant during times when the real horizon is obscured.

8A05.85

Chronometer

An accurate ships time piece used in conjunction with the sextant to determine longitude and latitude.

8A05.90

Heliostat

Picture of a heliostat. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 38(3),391]

PIRA #

Demonstration Name

Abstract

8A10.05

Origin of the Solar System

Discussion on how the Solar System was formed. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 5(8), 363]

8A10.10a

Orrery model

A motor-driven model of the Sun, Moon, Earth system.

8A10.10b

Orrery model

A mechanical model of the inner planets.

8A10.15

Scale of the Solar System - Video

8A10.15

Inflatable Solar System

8A10.15

Solar System on a String

8A10.15

Scale model of the Solar System

The scale model of the Solar System as a hallway demo. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 16(4), 223]

8A10.15

Scale model of the Solar System

The 1:10 billion Colorado Scale-Model Solar System on the University of Colorado-Boulder campus. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 29(6), 371]

8A10.15

Scale model of the Solar System

Globes and balloons used to model the planets of the Solar System. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 27(1), 38]

8A10.16

Scale of the orbital radii of the planets

A hat pin, roll of tape, and some markers used to scale the orbital radii of the planets. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 43(2), 120]

8A10.20

Locating stars

A simple analytical method at the descriptive astronomy level for locating stars. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 53(6),591]

8A10.20

Locating stars

Using the stars of the Big Dipper to teach vectors. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 44(3), 168]

8A10.22

Tracking stars, Sun, and Moon

Construction of an electromechanical device that automatically and continually tracks celestial objects. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 78 (11), 1128]

8A10.25

Diurnal motion

Punch holes in a can bottom in the big dipper pattern and place over a point source of light. Rotate the can. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 43(1),113]

8A10.30

Planispheric planetarium

Description of a homemade planetarium.

8A10.30

Small planetarium

Description of a small homemade planetarium dome.

8A10.33

Day & night

8A10.35

Local zenith

See [http://groups.physics.umn.edu/demo/old_page/astronomy.html University of Minnesota Handbook - 8A10.20]

8A10.40

Sidereal time

An explanation of how a sidereal day differs from a solar day and how to calculate the difference. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 29(5), 265]

8A10.42

Sidereal day

A simple method to measure the length of the sidereal day. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 30(9), 558]

8A10.44

Sidereal year

Use orbital mechanics and centripetal force to calculate the sidereal year. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 32(2), 111]

8A10.50

Precession of the equinox graph

A graph that shows the precession of the equinox from 1890 to 2000 and a discussion of its pedagogical value. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 55(9),848]

8A10.60

Apparent motion of the sun

The autumn and spring equinoxes do not have equal length days and nights. Index of refraction through the atmosphere makes the day about 9 minutes longer than the night. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 35(3), 167]

8A10.70

Distortion due to refraction by Earth atmosphere

On the flatness of the setting sun. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 71(4), 379]

8A10.70

Distortion due to refraction by Earth atmosphere

A demonstration using sugar water to show why the Sun appears elliptical instead of round when viewed through the atmosphere. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 29(9), 566]

8A10.70

Distortion due to refraction by Earth atmosphere

The appearance of the flattening of the solar disk and the appearance of the "anti-Sun" captured on film. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 35(9), 553]

8A10.70

Distortion due to refraction by Earth atmosphere

The apparent ellipticity of the setting Sun. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 20(6), 404]

8A10.75

Distortion due to refraction by Earth atmosphere

A complete explanation of distortions produced by the atmosphere. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 39(2), 92]

8A10.80

Geochron

The standard Geochron is used to show analemma, the part of the Earth lit by the Sun at any given time, etc. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/

8A10.80

Subsolar point

An experiment plotting the subsolar point (the place on Earth where the Sun is directly overhead at solar noon). See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 29(5), 318]

8A10.80

Analemma

Additional comments on [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 34(1), 58]

8A10.80

Analemma

A good explanation of how the analemma couples the seasonal declination changes of the Sun with the "Equation of Time". See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 34(6), 355]

8A10.80

Analemma

Analemma used to show why sunrise can be at the same time for several weeks while the length of the day increases. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 34(1), 58]

8A10.80

Analemma

How to plot and demonstrate the noncircularity of the Earth's orbit around the Sun. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 38(9), 570]

8A10.80

Analemma, clocks, apparent motion of the Sun

Explains why the length of the morning and afternoon do not increase in the same proportion as the length of the day gets longer. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 23(2), 85]

8A10.90

Apparent motion of the Sun

Using simple equipment to measure the length of the solar day. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 34(6), 351]

8A10.90

Apparent motion of the Sun

Using the apparent motion of the Sun to teach vectors and scalar products. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 35(5), 310]

PIRA #

Demonstration Name

Abstract

8A20.05

Earth's Seasons

Showing the Earth's seasons with a 3-D model. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 31(7), 419]

8A20.07

Seasonal Tilt

8A20.08

Tilt of the Earth - Video

8A20.15

Phases of the moon - terminator line demo

View a ball illuminated by a distant light with a TV camera as the angle between the ball and light varies.

8A20.15

Phases of the moon

How the view of the crescent moon changes from the northern to southern hemisphere. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 38(6), 371]

8A20.15

Phases of the moon

A handy way to teach "Moon Phases". See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 31(3), 178]

8A20.17

Phases models

Illuminated models for showing the phases of Venus and the Moon. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 3(6),263]

8A20.19

Phases of planets

Calculating the phases of the outer planets. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 37(9), 528]

8A20.20

Albedo

8A20.20

Brightness of the Moon

Two methods to determine the brightness of the Moon. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 23(5), 293]

8A20.22

Eccentricity of the Moon's orbit

A piece of cardboard with a hole slid up and down a yardstick is used to determine the eccentricity of the Moon's orbit. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 78 (8), 834]

8A20.25

Eclipse model

An eclipse model built from Hoola Hoops to show the eclipse seasons. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 34(6), 376]

8A20.30

Solar eclipse

Preparations and observation of the March 7, 1970 eclipse. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 9(5), 276]

8A20.30

Solar eclipse

The path of the February 26, 1998 solar eclipse. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 35(9), 515]

8A20.31

Solar eclipse

Using a solar eclipse to estimate the Earth-Moon distance. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 34(4), 232]

8A20.32

Solar eclipse, pinhole images

Using pinholes and natural phenomenon to view a solar eclipse. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 32(6), 347]

8A20.35

Lunar eclipse

Why the Moon appears red during a lunar eclipse. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 44(3), 181]

8A20.37

Umbra, penumbra

Why there are crisp, dark or fuzzy shadows during eclipses.

8A20.40

Transit - Mercury & Venus

8A20.45

Occultations

Occultation used to determine the diameter of a planet. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 45(10), 914]

8A20.45

Occultations

Lunar geography shown determined by grazing occultation. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 21(4), 218]

8A20.45

Occultations

Occultation used to determine the diameter of the Moon. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 30(5), 290]

8A20.50

Earth/Moon system

The Earth-Moon system orbits the Sun at its center of mass or barycenter. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 44(1), 48]

8A20.55

Earth/Moon system

Using Earth-Moon communication to calculate the speed of light. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT, 44(7), 414]

8A20.60

Earth/Moon distance

Retroreflector arrays and laser pulses to measure the Earth/Moon distance. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 33(2), 90]

8A20.60

Earth/Moon distance

How to determine the distance to the Moon. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 10(1), 40]

8A20.64

[:Earth-Moon-Sun Model]

A 10" globe, a painted tennis ball, and a 100 W bulb are used to represent the Earth-Moon-Sun system

8A20.70

Pinhead Earth

See [http://groups.physics.umn.edu/demo/old_page/astronomy.html University of Minnesota Handbook - 8A10.40]

8A20.70

Scale model of the Earth/Moon/Sun system

Using a basketball and a push pin to model the Sun-Earth system. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 38(2), 115]

8A20.70

Scale model of the Earth/Moon/Sun system

Pinholes used to enhance a 1:2 billion scale model of the Earth/Moon/Sun system. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 11(8), 489]

8A20.80

Moon & Tides

PIRA #

Demonstration Name

Abstract

8A30.10

Horizon astronomy model

See [http://groups.physics.umn.edu/demo/old_page/astronomy.html University of Minnesota Handbook - 8A10.50]

8A30.10

Cratering

8A30.10

Horizon calculations

A method for calculating the distance to the horizon.

8A30.10

Estimating the distance to the horizon

An analysis for calculating the distance to the horizon as a function of the altitude of the observer. Also takes into account the variation of atmospheric refractive index with height. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 50 (9), 795]

8A30.10

Estimating the distance to the horizon

How to accurately estimate the distance to the horizon. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 38(9), 528]

8A30.13

Estimating the distance to the horizon

How to accurately estimate the distance to the horizon when at sea.

8A30.20

Cinhelium

See [http://groups.physics.umn.edu/demo/old_page/astronomy.html University of Minnesota Handbook - 8A10.51]

8A30.30

Retrograde motion model

Two balls, connected with a rod fixed through one ball and sliding through the other, orbit on a common focus.

8A30.30

Retrograde motion model

Two balls driven by independent clock motors are connected with a rod fixed through one ball and sliding through the other. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 54(11),1021]

8A30.32

Retrograde motion

Three methods to plot retrograde motion, one is simpler than the others. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 43(7), 639]

8A30.32

Retrograde motion

Using retrograde motion to understand and determine orbital parameters of a planet using only geometry and trigonometry. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/AJP 73(11), 1023]

8A30.32

Retrograde motion of Mars

How to plot the retrograde motion of Mars on paper. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 37(6), 342]

8A30.32

Retrograde motion

A method of plotting retrograde motion on a large scale to be done outdoors with twine and students. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 30(5), 302]

8A30.32

Retrograde motion

Plotting retrograde motion in a manner that gives a better diagram. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 21(4), 252]

8A30.34

Retrograde motion

Retrograde motion and epicycles are shown using polar graph paper and a fender washer. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 35(9), 554]

8A30.40

Epicycles

An Orrery carries a small flashlight on a rod between Earth and Jupiter to project epicycloidal motion.

8A30.40

Epicycles

An elliptical Lucite dish has two arms attached to one foci. Place some ball bearings between the two arms and rotate the rear arm at constant angular velocity.

830.40

Epicycles

A diagram of how to make a fairly simple crank device to trace out elliptical through cusped figures with a penlight.

8A30.50

Synodic period

Using calculations to show that the conjuction and opposition of a planet are not "perfect" due to non-circular orbits. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 19(2), 116]

8A30.50

Synodic period

Use relative angular velocity to calculate the synodic period. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 23(3), 154]

8A30.60

Tidal locking

Why the same side of the Moon always faces the Earth. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 41 (6), 363]

8A30.60

Tidal locking

A demonstration on how the Moon and other moons become tidally locked. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 35(6), 379]

8A30.70

Parallax

Have students measure the distance to objects in the classroom by parallax using a camera to better understand stellar parallax. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 45(5), 490]

8A30.70

Parallax

Another simple photographic experiment to help students understand parallax. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 45(12), 1221]

8A30.70

Parallax

Measuring the distance to an outer planet by parallax with a camera. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT 35(1), 34]

A30.72

Parallax

A laboratory model to calculate stellar distances by parallax and relative magnitude. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP 45(11), 1124]

8A30.80

Autoresonance

3:2 and 2:1 resonances of the planets and asteroids. See [http://scitation.aip.org/ajp/ AJP, 69(10), 1096]

8A30.90

Roche Limit

A calculation of the Roche limit of a Jovian planet and a simulated experiment to test the calculation. See [http://scitation.aip.org/tpt/ TPT, 44(6), 381]

PIRA #

Demonstration Name

Abstract

PIRA #

Demonstration Name

Abstract

PIRA #

Demonstration Name

Abstract

PIRA #

Demonstration Name

Abstract

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Demonstration Name

Abstract

PIRA #

Demonstration Name

Abstract

8A10.32

earth/moon system

Add abstract in Handbook.FM

8A10.40

pinhead earth

8A10.50

horizon astronomy model

8A10.51

Cinhelium

8A10.55

retrograde motion model

Two balls connected with a rod fixed through one ball and sliding through the other orbit on common ficus.

8A10.55

retrograde motion model letter

Pointer to AJP 43,693(1975).

8A10.55

retrograde motion model

Two balls driven by independent clock motors are connected with a rod fixed through one ball and sliding through the other.

8A10.60

epicycles

An Orrery caries a small flashlight on a rod between Earth and Jupiter to project epicycloidal motion.

8A10.60

epicycles

A elliptical Lucite dish has two arms attached to one foci. Place some ball bearings between the two arms and rotate the rear arm at constant angular velocity.

8A10.60

epicycles

A diagram of how to make a fairly simple crank device to trace out elliptical through cusped figures with a penlight.

8A10.65

comet orbit

8A10.80

celestial sphere

A simple model celestial sphere is made from a round bottom flask. Pictures.

8A10.80

celestial sphere

A simple model celestial sphere is made from a round bottom flask. Pictures.

8A20.10

globes

8A30.10

cratering

8A20.30

cratering

Add abstract in Handbook.FM

8A20.21

planetary density model

Add abstract in Handbook.FM

8A20.41

make a comet

Add abstract in Handbook.FM

8A20.42

Ed's comet

Add abstract in Handbook.FM