Purpose
To learn about one aspect of exploring space.
Materials
• Bathroom tissue roll
• Sheet of foil, 6" x 8"
• 6" skewer
• 2 black construction paper
strips, 1 1/2" x 6"
• 1 black construction paper
circle, approx. 2" in diameter
• 1 black construction paper
square, 2" x 2"
• Tape
• Scissors (optional)
Background
The Hubble space telescope revolutionized
optical astronomy when it became fully operational. It looks into the
depths of space with a 7.8 foot diameter reflecting telescope. Because
of its location above the atmosphere, it can see farther into space
than we can from the ground. It
transmits its data to the Science Institute
in Baltimore via a tracking and data relay satellite (TDRS), a ground
station at White Sands, and NASA's Goddard Space Center.
This Activity
Students will construct a simple model of the Hubble space telescope
to learn about one aspect of exploring space.
Preperation
Supplies will need to be collected. Older students can cut the black
construction pieces on their own. Younger students will need the pieces
precut. (Note: Use an end of the bathroom tissue roll as a "stencil"
to trace a black circle onto black paper with a pencil, chalk, or white
crayon.) A nail or screw works best to puncture the hole on both sides
of the bathroom tissue roll. An adult should puncture the holes. The
skewer can then be easily inserted by the student.
In class
Each student receives a bathroom tissue roll, piece of foil, a skewer,
black construction paper (or precut pieces), and tape.
Extensions
Students can be encouraged to write a story or draw a picture depicting
a new discovery in space.
Reference
The Illustrated History of NASA by Robin Kerrod.
