AstroQuest is a citizen scientist research project designed in a gaming format. By participating, teachers and students will not only gain an insight into galaxies that populate our Universe, they will assist astronomers with an extensive research project. Vast numbers of images are produced from largescale sky surveys – too many for the scientists to check manually. Computer algorithms are developed but they need to be taught how to read the images correctly. Citizen scientists will assist astronomers in examining images to check on the results provided by the computer. Astronomers will then use the results to refine the computer models used in the AstroQuest project leading to improved models of star formation and galaxy evolution. The evidence gathered will allow astronomers to further refine the story of the origin and formation of the Universe from the Big Bang to the present day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knowledge and Understanding concepts include:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examine the main components of common digital systems and how they may connect together to form networks to transmit data (ACTDIK014<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examine how whole numbers are used to represent all data in digital systems (ACTDIK015)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Processes and Production Skills include:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acquire, store and validate different types of data, and use a range of software to interpret and visualise data to create information (ACTDIP016<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plan, create and communicate ideas and information, including collaboratively online, applying agreed ethical, social and technical protocols (ACTDIP022<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students require prior learning of binary code to complete student assessment 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is comprehensive information and help available on the website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once registered, you\u2019ll be presented with a short video tutorial by Dr Luke Davis. Luke is one of the many project scientists for AstroQuest. He provides a valuable insight into the project. From there, follow the prompts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each webpage has helpful tutorials and information available via the \u2018i\u2019 icon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Click on the Science<\/a> button for background information about galaxies, the quest design and discoveries made by citizen scientists in astronomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is recommended that teachers read the background information sheet \u2018How do space telescopes communicate with us\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019d like us to send you some AstroQuest rewards<\/a> for your students please contact us<\/a> with your address and how many rewards you need and we\u2019ll send some to you (within Australia).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Sun provides us with visible light. We see because our eyes can detect this visible light. However, visible light is only a small part of the much larger electromagnetic spectrum which our eyes can\u2019t see. Telescopes have been built that can see all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Some telescopes are launched into space because they detect parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that are not able to pass through our atmosphere. Other telescopes are placed into orbit to improve the quality of the image even though they will work on the surface of the Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do astronomers communicate with the telescopes and satellites in space? How do astronomers collect the information that the telescopes have gathered?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wireless transmission is the answer. The information is stored and transmitted in binary digits. You are probably more familiar with the base\u201310 system which uses the digits 0 \u2013 9 to represent numbers. Binary digits are a base-2 system where the only digits used to represent larger numbers are 0 and 1. First the image is recorded digitally as 0\u2019s and 1\u2019s in the telescope, then the 0\u2019s and 1\u2019s are sent to the astronomers on the ground piggybacked on the wireless signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Satellites and telescopes are placed into orbit using rockets. Before lift off from the Earth\u2019s surface a countdown begins in the control room 10, 9, 8\u2026.1, 0 (blast off). These are base-10 numbers that you use every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fill in the following table by converting the \u2018countdown\u2019 number to its binary digit. Some of them have been done for you. Can you see the pattern? Once you have filled in the table, find a partner and try the countdown using binary numbers. Does your partner understand the \u2018countdown\u2019?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Countdown Number<\/td>\n | Binary Number<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
10<\/td>\n | 1010<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
9<\/td>\n | \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
8<\/td>\n | \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
7<\/td>\n | \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
6<\/td>\n | \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
5<\/td>\n | \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
4<\/td>\n | 100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
3<\/td>\n | \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
2<\/td>\n | \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
1<\/td>\n | 01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
0 (Blast off)<\/td>\n | 0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Student assessment 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe AstroQuest website contains a lot of data and information on your galaxies such as size, star-forming rate, classification, the time it took for light to reach us from the galaxy and what was happening on the Earth at the time the light left the galaxy. Create a spreadsheet. Record the galaxy number (located at the top of the page) so you can identify it later. Add headings to your spreadsheet. Record the information you have gathered about your galaxies in the appropriate column or row. (The galaxies are available in the \u2018My Galleries\u2019 tab once you have logged in.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Student assessment 4<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n |