WHY CAN'T EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD SEE THE TRANSIT?
TEACHING TIPS

 

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ACTIVITY:

Grade levels: 5-12
Time: 45 minutes

Standards:
Science as Inquiry:
Grades 5-12: Abilities and Understandings of Scientific Inquiry
Physical Science:
Grades 5-12: Motions and Forces
Earth and Space Science:
Grades 5-8: Earth in the Solar System
Science and Technology:
Grades 5-12: Understandings about Science and Technology
History and Nature of Science
Grades 5-8: Natural Science
Grades 9-12: Nature of Scientific Knowledge
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
Grades 5-8: Science and Technology in Society

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A SUGGESTED DISCUSSION SEQUENCE FOR MAKING USE OF THIS ACTIVITY IN YOUR CLASSROOM

1. Discussion Question

What do you know about Venus?

Resources
Video: Animation of Venus
http://www.exploratorium.edu/venus/question5.html
Reading: All about Venus
http://www.exploratorium.edu/venus/question5.htm

2. Discussion Question


What is the transit of Venus ?

Resources
Diagram: Positions of Venus and Earth during the transit
http://www.exploratorium.edu/venus/images/illo-1.jpg
Video: Venus Transit Animation (5MB). Moving-Earth perspective. Simulation is NOT to scale. http://www.exploratorium.edu/venus/question1b.html


3. Discussion Question:

Why can people in some locations on Earth view the transit of Venus and others can’t?

Resources
Activity: Why can’t everyone around the world see the transit?
http://www.exploratorium.edu/venus/teacher-map.html
Check for Understanding: Will transit be viewable from Rio, San Francisco, or London?