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31 May 2008 AAS/ASP Discover the Universe with NASA

During the International Year of Astronomy 2009!

Kepler’s Other WorldsKepler’s Other Worlds

Alan GouldAlan Gould

Lawrence Hall of ScienceLawrence Hall of Science

University of California BerkeleyUniversity of California Berkeley

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Tracking TransitsTracking Transits

Activity is being Activity is being field tested by field tested by FOSSFOSS

Full Option Full Option Science System Science System

to become part of to become part of revise Planetary revise Planetary Science courseScience course

for middle schoolfor middle school

Start with modeling transitStart with modeling transit

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If we had a light sensor If we had a light sensor pointed at the light, pointed at the light,

and we passed a book and we passed a book in front of the light, in front of the light,

what would the “light curve” what would the “light curve” (graph of light brightness vs time) (graph of light brightness vs time)

look like? look like?

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Light Curve of BookLight Curve of Book

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What would the light curve of What would the light curve of the transiting planet look like?the transiting planet look like?

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LEGO OrreryLEGO Orrery

• Instructions on Kepler website

• First prototype had 3 planets

• Deputy PI Dave Koch made 4-planet model

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Full Option Science System Full Option Science System (FOSS)(FOSS)

First prototype of First prototype of orrery for FOSS orrery for FOSS Planetary Planetary Science kitScience kit

Intended to be in Intended to be in Delta Education Delta Education catalogcatalog

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Light Curve A

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Light Curve B

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Light Curve C

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Light Curve D

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Light Curve E

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Detecting Planet TransitsDetecting Planet Transits and and Human OrreryHuman Orrery

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From GEMS grades 6-8 From GEMS grades 6-8 Space Science SequenceSpace Science Sequence

Available this summer.

4 Units:4 Units: The SunThe Sun SeasonsSeasons Solar SystemSolar System Beyond the Solar Beyond the Solar

System*System*

Detecting Detecting PlanetPlanet TransitsTransits is is in Unit 4in Unit 4

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4 Units:4 Units:Distance and SizeDistance and SizeHow Earth movesHow Earth movesGravityGravityPhases of the MoonPhases of the Moon

Create a model of a transitCreate a model of a transit

Human Orrery in Solar Human Orrery in Solar System UnitSystem Unit

Detecting Transits in Beyond Detecting Transits in Beyond the Solar System Unit the Solar System Unit

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Human OrreryHuman Orrery

In Solar System Unit In Solar System Unit (3) of GEMS Space (3) of GEMS Space Science SequenceScience Sequence

3D model of inner 3D model of inner solar systemsolar system

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Exoplanet Transit HuntExoplanet Transit Hunt Online Interactive Simulates

transit method of planet-finding

Based on outdated original Hyperstudio simulation by Dave Koch

Select a StarSelect a Star

Revised HOU high school curriculum:

A Changing Cosmos becoming part of Global Systems Science

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Uncle Al’s Kepler Star WheelUncle Al’s Kepler Star Wheel

Find it on the Kepler Find it on the Kepler websitewebsite

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Planet FamiliesPlanet Families

Developed as part of Developed as part of Alien Earths traveling Alien Earths traveling exhibitexhibit

Made into online Made into online interactiveinteractive

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Where to Find ThemWhere to Find Them

http://kepler.nasa.govhttp://kepler.nasa.gov