INTRO ACTIVITIES on Stellar Evolution
Star Life Cycles
Students analyze characteristics that indicate human life cycles, and then apply these observational principles to various NASA pictures of stars to synthesize patterns of stellar life cycles.
The Flow Chart of Stellar Evolution
Print this flow chart and fill in the answers to the questions by going through the tutorial (hit "Start" on this page).

Life Cycles of Stars (9-12)
Information and activity book from Imagine the Universe!. A grade k-8 version of this book can be found through Starchild.

The Life of a Star
Write a children's book or a comic book/cartoon strip showing the evolution of both a sunlike and a massive star.
ACTVITIES on Spectroscopy

Spectral Lines and the Bohr Atom
What is it about the structure of an atom that gives it its characteristic line spectrum "fingerprint"? Later we will find out how scientist can use this to analyze the stars.

Student Worksheet: EM Spectrum - A Calculation Investigation
Max Planck, a German physicist, found that certain behaviors of light could be predicted by considering it as though it were emitted in little bursts of energy rather than continuously. He developed a relationship in 1900 that gives the relationship between the energy and frequency of a photon (a quantum or packet of energy). In this worksheet, you will practice calculating energies, frequencies and wavelengths.

Bohr atom
Read and answer the questions.

Spectroscopy and Types of Spectra
Read the information contained in the links below or use a physics or chemistry text. Write a paragraph describing what spectroscopy is and what it can tell you about a star. Explain the differences between each of the spectra in the picture below and how each is produced.

Spectra and What Scientists Can Learn From Them

Absorption & Emission Spectra

Evidence for Spectral Lines

Absorption Spectra
Three Hands-On Activities Illustrating Spectra
In this set of activities, the tricky concept of spectroscopy is addressed. They include a general investigation of the formation of spectral features, a detailed analysis of the spectrum of the hydrogen atom, and the dispersal of the spectrum of a laser. Laboratory exercises and demonstrations that teachers and students can readily undertake given equipment likely to be available in most school systems.
Analytical Spectroscope
Build an analytical spectroscope to use in upcoming activities. Do pages 34-39 from the guide Space Based Astronomy which is available in the classroom or as a download. You can also build a mini-spectroscope using a piece of an old CD & dark stiff paper from these instructions and template.
The Visible Electromagnetic Spectrum
Print or obtain a copy of the student and instructor handouts.. Use the instructor's guide to find out how to produce continuous, bright line and absorption spectra (choose a few methods of producing each type). Record how each was produced and sketch the results of each in a data table. Answer all questions on the student's guide.
Supernova Chemistry
Activity on analyzing various spectra including background information necessary for supernova analysis.
The Flame Test
Identify burning elements by the colors of their flames and their spectral lines. "Flaming Out" in Hewitt's Conceptual Physics Laboratory Manual may be used in place of this activity.
Identifying Lines in the Solar Spectrum
You will identify lines of the solar spectrum, using interpolation from "known" Fraunhofer lines.