Celestial Objects: Interpreting Impact Craters

Grade Level/Subject / Astronomy (10th/11th/12th)
Unit / The Solar System
Enduring Understanding and Unifying Understandings / The fundamentals and tools of astronomical observation can be used to locate, recognize, and differentiate between celestial objects and to predict their motions and appearances.
1. Humans use science to organize their understanding of the natural
world.
4. Our world is comprised of a multitude of interrelated systems.
6. Patterns and cycles exist in nature
SOL Objectives
Title / Impact Craters Lab
Lesson Objective / Students will be able to understand how impact craters were formed, and how the varying characteristics of space particles lead to what we see today.
Inquiry Level / 3
Materials Required / Bin
Flour
Jello powder (dark color)
Different projectile materials (ex: marble, Styrofoam ball, clay, etc)
Scale for measuring mass
Caliper for measuring diameter
Meter sticks/Rulers
Graph paper

Name: ______Pd: ______Date: ______

Impact Craters Lab

Student Handout

The year is 1630, and the first telescope has just been developed. The moon is now so close! And we are able to observe the lunar surface with what feels like incredible detail. These “oceans” that were predicted are now just craters and strange rock surface. But how were these craters developed? It’s time to investigate some predictions.

Part 1: Observations

Look at the telescopic images supplied to you by the teacher. These imagesdisplay pictures of the moon and mercury. Using these images, answer the questions below.

  1. Make through observations about craters on the moon.
  1. Look at craters on mercury. What similarities do you see to the moon?
  1. What are some factors (variables) of incoming material you think would affect the appearance and size of craters and ejecta?

Part 2: Outline the experiment

Which two variables will your groupis choosing to investigate? (Look to #3 above)

IV:______DV:______

IV: / DV:
What unit will you measure in? (cm, degrees, m/s)
What tool will you use to measure this variable?
What method will you use to measure this variable? (Make sure this is easily repeatable and as accurate a method as possible)

The Setup:

Each group will prepare their own lunar test surface using a layer of flour (bottom) and jello (top). The contrast helps to see the ejecta more easily. Look below for a picture of your setup:

  1. Fill bin with approximately 2-3 cm of flour
  2. Evenly sprinkle jello onto surface of flour, making sure to not leave many white gaps.

Your Group’s Bin

Your Personal Method:

Based on your IV and DV, think about all the variables that need to remain constant. Below, list the most important variables, and describe how you will hold them constant.

Controlled Variable / Method to keep it constant (be specific)

Part 3: Gather Data

Begin your investigation! Be sure to get 5 different IV levels, with at least two trials of each.

IV / DV Trial 1 / DV Trial 2 / Avg DV

Part 4: Making sense of your information

On the graph paper provided, graph your IV vs. DV. Draw a best fit line through your data. Be sure to include units and a title on your graph!

Part 5: Results

Q1: Looking at your graph, describe your results of how your IV and DV are related.

*Go write your results on the board to gather information as a class. For the rest of the questions, refer to the class data.

Q2: What does the data reveal about the relationship between crater size and velocity of impactor?

Q3: What does the data reveal about the relationship between ejecta length and velocity of impactor?

Q4: Based on the experimental data, describe the appearance of an impact crater and what it tells about the impactor.