Learning Exercise

Tracking A Satellite

Did you know that you can see satellites with the naked eye? This site allows you to assign "viewing" opportunities for your students.

Course: Astronomy

Material:: Heavens Above
Date last modified:: June 22, 2005
Created by:: Jim Weaver
License:

Bookmark

Heavens Above

This is a very easy to use satellite traking site. You will need to create an account before using the site but this is... see more

Material Type:: Learning Object Repository
Author:: Chris Peat, Heaven's above

Exercise

Be sure to check out the Iridium Flare section. As these highly reflective
satellites align with the sun, they "flash" a small section of the Earth. If
you are near that section, the satellite will "flash". Some flashes reach -9 on
the magnitued scale. Also check out the International Space Station (ISS)
tracking. Students think it is really cool to watch the ISS go over and know
that people are on board.

Additional Information: None

Disciplines

Science and Technology / Astronomy

Audience

Technical Notes

Remember, magnitude indicates how bright a satellite will be. Negative numbers are brighter than positives. If your student lives in a city, a satellite should be a 3 or brighter (smaller number) to be spotted easily.

Requirements

Students should know that our Earth is orbited by a swarm of artificial and natural satellites. They will need to know compass directions and be able to estimate altitude in degrees. They will need to know the correct time.