> a class about satellite observing (along with related subjects) to 4th to 6th grade kids in a talented and gifted program. I have > a lot of ideas that I'll reply all so that other's don't reply with the same advice as myself. First of all I would use the internet in every class - every time. One must goto website would be this one: http://science.nasa.gov/Realtime/jtrack/3d/JTrack3d.html Where there is a 3D java applet that shows most (all?) known satellites and their orbits. Click and drag to see the 3D nature. Shift click and ctrl click to zoom in and out. Click a satellite to see it's name and orbital path. Choose options "update rate" "1/4 second" then "options" "timing" "X100" to see the satellites in action (you may have to wait a minute if it was in minute update rate before the satellites start whizzing around). Also help them understand a feel for orbital mechanics (yes, tactile understanding as opposed to words) with perhaps some of these java applets: http://lectureonline.cl.msu.edu/~mmp/kap7/orbiter/orbit.htm http://www.mcasco.com/p1aso.html http://alpha.fesg.tu-muenchen.de/dieter/java/KeplerEllipse.html and many others. Just search for "java applet orbit" on google. - George Roberts http://gr5.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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