The purpose of this activity is to model the expansion of the universe by investigating the behavior of water waves. It is designed for students in the upper grades of physics and physical science who are learning about the wave nature of light and are ready to discover such important questions about science. The article explains first the Doppler…

This issue of Exploratorium focuses on water and its varied uses in our environment. Articles include: (1) "Adventures with Water" (Eric Muller); (2) "Water: The Liquid of Life" (Karen E. Kalumuck); (3) "Water-Drop Projector" (Gorazd Planinsic); (4) "Waterways and Means" (Pearl Tesler); (5) "Explore Natural Phenomena in the Museum--and Just…

Described is the observation of the moon with binoculars. Descriptions of the thin crescent moon, three-day-old moon, five-day-old moon, first quarter moon, 10-day-old moon and the full moon are presented and characteristics of each phase are included. (DS)

Describes an exercise for obtaining the diameter of Venus by timing its occultation by the Moon, for a liberal arts astronomy course. (SL)

This issue of Exploratorium Magazine focuses on the topic of motion. Contents include: (1) "First Word" (Zach Tobias); (2) "Cosmic Collisions" (Robert Irion); (3) "The Mobile Cell" (Karen E. Kalumuck); (4) "The Paths of Paths" (Steven Vogel); (5) "Fragments" (Pearl Tesler); (6) "Moving Pictures" (Amy Snyder); (7) "Plants on the Go" (Katharine…

Proposes a method to estimate the number of civilizations which may exist in the universe. Reviews attempts which have been made to contact these bodies. (CP)

Describes activities that provide students with experience of exploring an unknown planet. Lists of required materials and instructions are included. (PS)

Describes a procedure that allows undergraduate students to determine the approximate age of the universe using their own data. The experiment requires a relatively small telescope with a modest spectrograph. Includes sample data and calculations. (Contains 11 references.) (Author/WRM)

Astronomical fundamentals are presented in this unit of the Project Physics text for use by senior high students. The geocentric system of Ptolemy is discussed in connection with Greek concepts including Aristarchus' heliocentric hypothesis. Analyses are made of Copernicus' reexamination, leading to Tycho's observations and compromise system. A…

Describes methods using basic trigonometry which enable secondary earth science students to make astronomical calculations. The literature and mathematics available to high school students allow calculation of the earth's dimensions, which in turn permit calculation of the sun's distance. Once the sun's distance is known, stellar distances can be…