THREE LABS BEFORE THANKSGIVING BREAK--60 points

The following activities are to be done before you leave for Christmas break.
#1 SOLAR ASTRONOMY

Click on “blackbody spectrum” in the simulations library. The curve in the simulator represents the amount of light (or flux), emitted versus the wavelength of light for an object of a given temperature. The horizontal axis gives the wavelength of light in nanometers.
Use the slider to try different temperatures of your choice and observe how these changes affect the continuous spectrum. In particular, try the solar temperature: 5800K. Note that you can vary both the horizontal and vertical scale. Try to demonstrate Wien's Law and show why hot stars appear predominantly blue while cool stars seem red. Also demonstrate the Stefan-Boltzmann Law to show that the total energy emitted by a hot object increases at a much faster rate than its temperature. Describe your best simulations and your interpretations on a blog post.

#2 SOLAR SCAVENGER HUNT--20 POINTS
Helpful video found here


Go to the Stanford Solar Center, print the sheet, and fill it in.

#3 Black Holes

Go to the Black Hole site and explore. When you get done, make a blog post that does the following:

1. Distinguishes between an event horizon and an accretion zone of a black hole.

2. Defines escape velocity, black hole, and the speed of light.

3. Explains the relationship between escape velocity, black hole, and the speed of light.

4. Identifies more than one single type of black hole.

5. List evidence that our understanding of black holes has changed.

6. Explain how Hubble Space Telescope's component cameras assist in the search for black holes.

7. List at least 2 myths about black holes that are discredited.