Some people spend money to have a star named after them (it’s a scam, don’t do it!). Others wish on stars. You will be assigned your own “personal” star that you are to study in greater detail by applying the material from the course lectures, textbook, videos, and sources on the Internet. For some aspects, you will need to research your star using other external resources, including the Internet. Be sure you cite all your references!
There is no prescribed format or length for this project. Instead, you are encouraged to use your own creativity. Possible formats could include a PowerPoint presentation, a video presentation, a podcast, a web page, a poster or even a standard written report. Be creative! Feel free to include graphics, hyperlinks, music, bulleted lists, etc… Regardless of the format that you use, your project must clearly include (and identify) the following information about your star:
1. Distance, Location, Names, and Magnitude.
a. How far away is your star? Compare/contrast this with our Sun.
b. Where is your star located?
c. How would you go about finding it in the Maryland (or your local) night sky?
d. What other names does your star have?
e. What are the absolute and apparent magnitudes/luminosity of your star? Be sure to explain what these two terms mean. Compare/contrast this with our Sun.
2. Star’s Story. Find out more about your assigned star from a historical perspective. This is not technical information but rather, myths, history, or cultures that involved your star. Is this star part of a constellation or asterism? Does it have historical significance?
3. Classification. Discuss the specific spectra of your star. Be sure to explain what this means. Compare/contrast this with our Sun. How is this star classified? Be sure to include spectral type and luminosity class.
4. H-R Diagram.
a. Where does your star fit on the H-R diagram? Compare/contrast this with our Sun.
b. Discuss this in terms of both its size and lifetime. Compare/contrast this with our Sun.
5. Lifetime.
a. What is the lifespan of your star? Compare/contrast this with our Sun.
b. How old is your star right now? Compare/contrast this with our Sun.
c. How far advanced is your star in its lifecycle?
6. Interesting Facts. What are some other interesting facts you’ve learned about your star? What makes it unique or interesting?
7. Observations. What observations (with a telescope/observatory) have been made of this object? What have these observations discovered about this star?
8. Works Cited/Bibliography. Include the sources you used to create your presentation/project. NOTE: WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A CITABLE SOURCE.
Recommended Sources for Research:
www.astronomynow.com
jpl.nasa.gov
civspace.jhuapl.edu/
www.nasa.gov
www.teachastronomy.com
www.space.com
www.skyandtelescope.com
www.esa.int (The European Space Agency)
www.spaceflightnow.com
www.astrobites.com