The Crab Nebula
The students learn about the life and death of a star and estimate the age of the crab nebula.
Niveau: C
The crab nebula is the remnant of a supernova that happened around 1000 years ago and was observed in many parts of the world. In this activity, the students will be able to estimate the age of the crab nebula with simple geometrical assumptions and by comparing a current image of the crab nebula with an image from the 1950s. They not only engage with physics but also with the history of astronomy.
Requirements
Pedagogical objectives
The students...
- know what the crab nebula (M1) is and know its development from a supernova.
- know the concept and the evolution of a nebula.
- are able to do exact measurements, arrange the results in a table and conclude information.
- know basics of Chinese astronomy and the Messier catalogue.
Steps
1: Das Leben eines Sterns
Brief description
Die Schülerinnen und Schüler lernen die Entwicklung und das Ende eines Sterns kennen.
Difficulty
2
Duration
60 minutes
Social arrangement
Class
Pairs
Group
2: Wie alt ist der Krebsnebel?
Brief description
Die Lernenden bestimmen das Alter des Krebsnebels.
Difficulty
2
Duration
60 minutes
Social arrangement
Class
Pairs
Group
3: Historische Beobachtungen
Brief description
Die Lernenden entdecken historische Beobachtungen des Krebsnebels.
Difficulty
2
Duration
60 minutes
Social arrangement
Class
Group
Worksheets
There are no teaching materials available for the English version of this activity.