Advancements in mobile technologies have accelerated mobile Augmented Reality (AR), and many applications have been developed and presented in online stores. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of the AR model of the Solar System simulated in mobile AR applications located in the Google Play Store. The applications were examined in the store…

In the April 2018 issue of "TPT," Joseph Amato presented an analysis of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) trajectories as applied to recent test launches from North Korea. Using properties of their elliptical paths, he derived relationships between launch velocity, elevation angle, and maximum range. However, this approach cannot…

The ancient Greek astronomers devised ingenious methods for measuring the size and distances of the Earth, Moon and Sun. The concepts were beautifully simple and although in most cases could only yield approximate results, they have the advantage that they can be understood by anyone with a basic mathematical background. The emergence of…

The purpose of this study was to provide an online astronomy activity using the Stellarium program as a virtual planetarium. The implementation was conducted with 30 preservice primary school teachers (PPTs) who participated in a non-formal workshop that included interactive, technology-based astronomy practices embedded with the…

Many introductory astronomy courses include concepts related to basic stellar properties. In general, these are concepts that originate from the human perception of starlight. This observational aspect is not easy to incorporate in the classroom. We explore if these concepts could be developed using the built-in data in a planetarium software.…

The aim of this study is to comparatively investigate the effects of hands-on models (HMs) and computer simulations (CSs) on teaching the phases and eclipses of the Moon. In this study, two different HMs were developed, and three different CSs were used. The research work group consisted of 100 pre-service science teachers. A quasi-experimental…

Many concepts in astrophysics research can be difficult for a lay individual to understand or to comprehend their importance. One such example concept is the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, which detects high-energy neutrinos at the South Pole in Antarctica. The observatory uses information from detected neutrinos originating deep in outer space to…

We present and analyze video data of upper secondary school students' engagement with a computer-supported collaborative learning environment that enables them to explore astronomical phenomena (Keplerian motion). The students' activities have an immersive and exploratory character, as students engage in open-ended inquiry and interact physically…

There has been recent interest in how the body can be used as a resource for learning challenging concepts in science and mathematics. This dissertation contributes to this conversation in the literature by focusing on a learning environment that engages students in using their bodies as a resource for learning a particularly challenging science…

The damped harmonic oscillator physics problem is a standard oscillation problem in calculus physics for pre-engineering students in a community college. The use of alternative linear algebra eigenvalue stability method is consistent with the upper engineering courses using control theory. The external force and friction damping would become the…

Gravitational lensing is an interesting phenomenon in astronomy and is most typically given rise to by galaxies. The majority of the matter in a galaxy is thought to be dark matter, and the galactic gravitational lensing effect is mainly caused by dark matter halos. In gravitational lensing-related demonstrations in physics education, the feet of…

For years, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in New Mexico has led an outreach effort called "Mission to Mars" to engage fifth grade students in applying science and mathematics concepts related to building a colony on Mars. Many organizations across the US canceled similar events due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.…

As computer-based visualization techniques are becoming more important across the landscape of astronomy education, this pre-test/post-test study using the Size, Scale, and Structure Concept Inventory (S3CI) looked at the impact of using a hybrid combination of hands-on and computer-based activities on the learning of five semesters of non-science…

This summer, on August 21, 500 million people across North America will experience one of the most beautiful astronomical phenomena: an eclipse of the Sun. It will be a "must teach" moment, when all students will want to know the "what, when, and why" of the event. In addition, many high school science teachers are likely to be…

The aim of this research was to examine the effects of the Augmented Reality (AR)-supported teaching activities on the academic success, motivation of students towards science learning and attitudes of students towards AR application, in the scope of the seventh grade science course, "Solar System and Beyond" unit. For this purpose,…