History of Science Lesson Plan

Savannah Robertson
Class: 10th grade astronomy
Title/Topic: How Scientists discovered Longitude/Latitude and Longitude
Standards: Explain Earths grid system and locate places using degrees of latitude and longitude.
Objectives:

-Understand what latitude and longitude is.

-Understand how we calculate latitude and longitude and the
mathematics behind it.
-Be able to calculate latitude and longitude of their given position.
-Understand the celestial sphere and how it relates to latitude and
longitude.
-Determine right ascension and declination.
-Calculate right ascension and declination
Materials: -Map of the U.S. or the world
-celestial sphere model
Instruction:
Explain: what longitude and latitude is and how to view them on
a map
Elaborate: Using maps determine how to find the longitude and
latitude of a location, complete worksheet 1, teach important latitude
and longitudes (equator, north pole, international date line...etc.)
Engage: using what they know about L and L ask 2 riddles
An explorer walked a mile one mile south, one mile east,
and one mile north, and came back to his original point.
Where did this happen?
An explorer walked one mile south, one mile east, and
one mile south, and came back to his original point--- he
was not at the North Pole. Where did this happen?
Explore: How is latitude and longitude calculated and used, how has
this changed over time.
Explain: what is right ascension and declination and how does it line up
with longitude and latitude
Elaborate: How right ascension and declination is calculated, what is
zenith
Engage: Using right ascension and declination to determine location of
stars in the students zodiac sign (also teaching about the ecliptic).
Evaluate: quiz covering latitude and longitude through right ascension
and declination
Questions: What Is longitude and latitude used for?
Latitude and longitude are angles. What units are used to measure
angles?
What is the latitude at equator, north pole, and south pole?
How do we determine latitude?

How do we calculate longitude?

What is the history behind the need for longitude and latitude?
Can we specify longitude and latitude on other planets?
Why is the international date line important?
What are declination and right ascension?
How do we calculate both?
What is the difference between declination, right ascension, latitude,
and longitude?
What is the ecliptic?

Assessment:
Worksheet 1(attached)
Quiz 1 (attached)
Technology: N/A
Relevance:
What is the longitude and latitude of your current location?
If your time was 7pm and the time in Greenwich, England was 9am,
how far away and what direction are you from Greenwich?
What locations interest you and what are their latitudes and
longitudes?
Academic language: see vocabulary sheet
Safety: N/A
Adapting for diverse learners:
-Students will be given a vocabulary sheet (see vocab sheet) for the
quiz and worksheets to refer back to.
-Students will be given common cities or landmarks that can easily be
found to determine longitude and latitude (example: New York City,
their hometown)
-Students will only to complete one half of worksheet 1
References:
"Latitude and Longitude Activity." Indiana University. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar.
2015. <http://www.indiana.edu/~iaunrc/content/latitude-and-longitudeactivity-middle-high-school>.
Stern, David. "Latitude and Longitude." Phy 6. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
<http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Llatlong.htm>.
Strobel, Nick. "Coordinates." astronomy notes. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.astronomynotes.com/nakedeye/s6.htm>.

"Understanding Maps of Earth." ISS EarthKAM. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.ig.utexas.edu/outreach/icebound/pepperoni/pdfdocs/understanding%20maps.pdf>.

Latitude and Longitude Vocabulary

Degrees the unit for measuring distance on a map

Equator imaginary line separating the northern and southern hemispheres.
Globe a miniature model of the Earth
Hemisphere one half of the planet
Latitude horizontal lines on a map that run east and west. They measure
north and south of the equator.
Longitude the vertical lines on a map that run north and south. They
measure east and west of the Prime Meridian.
Meridian lines of longitude
Prime Meridian the line of longitude is starting point for measuring distance
of east and west. It is at 0 degrees longitude.
Absolute location the exact location of a place using latitude and longitude
locations
Relative location a location of a place that is close but not exact.

Name_________________
Longitude and Latitude Quiz
1. How do the positions of the equinoxes and solstices with respect to the
horizon depend on the latitude?

2. How does precession affect the positions of the stars?

3. Who was Harrison and how did his ideas affect longitude?
4. How is latitude and longitude calculated and used, how has this changed over
time.

5. What is the name of the latitude at 23.5 degrees north?

6. How far are you from your parents if you are at 36 N latitude and 116 W
longitude and they are at 34 N latitude and 116 W longitude? And what
state are you in?
7. Where are you if you are at 34 S latitude and 18E longitude?

8. What is the altitude of the North Celestial Pole at Fairbanks, Alaska (lat. = 65
N)?

9. If the Sun sets 10 away from due West on October 20, what is the sunset
azimuth?

10.What is the approximate latitude and longitude of Rome, Italy?