| SSS: |
Middle
School- SC.A.1.3, SC.E.1.3, SC.H.1.3, SC.H.2.3,MA.A.1.3,
High School-SC.A.1.4, SC.E.1.4,
SC.H.1.4, SC.H.2.4, SC.H.3.4, |
| Objectives: |
-
Students will learn the operation
of the ALTA 2 spectroscope
-
Students will learn that the composition
of compounds (rocks and minerals) can be identified and classified using
reflectance spectrometry
-
Students will compare reflectance
spectrometry profiles with profiles of simulated Moon and Mars regolith
|
| Materials: |
-
1 ALTA 2 spectrometer per student
-
1 calculator (per 2 students)
-
1 simple magnifier per student
-
sheets of bright white paper
-
5 worksheets for calculating reflectance
for each of 5 samples
-
1 graph sheet for indicating reflectance
profiles of 5 samples
-
1 activity kit (per two students)
consisting of one zip lock bag with a sample of simulated Moon regolith
(Maria), simulated Mars regolith (bright areas of Mars), Hawaiian
‘black sand’ (basalt), Hawaiian ‘green sand’ (olivine with some basalt),
and Ilmenite sand from northeast Florida.
|
| Commit
to an Outcome |
-
Can we determine using reflectance
spectrometry which of the samples of sand most likely represents rocks
found at the Maria of the Moon and the bright areas of Mars?
|
| Expose
Beliefs |
-
Are you aware of the use of reflectance
spectrometry in past or current Moon and Mars missions?
-
Do you believe that recent improvements
in reflectance spectrometry techniques can accurately identify the composition
of planetary surfaces from orbit?
|
| Confront
Beliefs |
-
Give the students the spectrometers
(with directions for proper use), sample kit bags, calculators and magnifiers,
and forms to record spectrometer data.
-
Students will use the spectrometers
to identify the reflectance spectrometer data for each sample and plot
the results on the graph.
-
Students will conclude which samples
(basalt, olivine, and IImenite) may be most likely found at Lunar Maria
and on Mars.
|
| Accommodate
the Concept |
-
Show the students the results
from previous investigations so that they might compare their results.
-
Show the students results from
previous investigations not available in their kits.
|
| Extend
the Concept |
-
Reflectance spectrometry similar
to this investigation will be used on the Moon and Mars Reconnaissance
missions to determine the composition of the surface at various prospective
landing sites.
-
Discuss the Compact Reconnaissance
Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) instrument onboard the Mars Reconnaissance
Orbiter (MRO) and distribute a handout on CRISM.
-
Why do you think that NASA wants
to determine the composition of the surface prior to landing at the site?
|
| Go
Beyond |
-
What other applications of this
technology can you think of?
|