<article>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#article10_02_10_2049218</id>
	<title>What Objects To Focus On For School Astronomy?</title>
	<author>timothy</author>
	<datestamp>1265791920000</datestamp>
	<htmltext>IceDiver writes <i>"I am a teacher in a small rural school. My Grade 9 students are doing a unit on astronomy this spring. I have access to a 4" telescope, and would like to give my students a chance to use it. We will probably only be able to attempt observations on a couple of nights because of weather and time restrictions. I am as new to telescope use as my students, so I have no idea what objects would look good through a 4" lens. What observations should I attempt to have my students make? In other words, how can I make best use of my limited equipment and time to give my students the best experience possible?"</i></htmltext>
<tokenext>IceDiver writes " I am a teacher in a small rural school .
My Grade 9 students are doing a unit on astronomy this spring .
I have access to a 4 " telescope , and would like to give my students a chance to use it .
We will probably only be able to attempt observations on a couple of nights because of weather and time restrictions .
I am as new to telescope use as my students , so I have no idea what objects would look good through a 4 " lens .
What observations should I attempt to have my students make ?
In other words , how can I make best use of my limited equipment and time to give my students the best experience possible ?
"</tokentext>
<sentencetext>IceDiver writes "I am a teacher in a small rural school.
My Grade 9 students are doing a unit on astronomy this spring.
I have access to a 4" telescope, and would like to give my students a chance to use it.
We will probably only be able to attempt observations on a couple of nights because of weather and time restrictions.
I am as new to telescope use as my students, so I have no idea what objects would look good through a 4" lens.
What observations should I attempt to have my students make?
In other words, how can I make best use of my limited equipment and time to give my students the best experience possible?
"</sentencetext>
</article>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090624</id>
	<title>Look, stars!  Dozens of them!</title>
	<author>Minwee</author>
	<datestamp>1265018460000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>That kind of depends on where you are.  If you're viewing from way out on the edge of town with nothing but farmland in all directions then you'll be able to see some pretty impressive things like the rings of Saturn, Jupiter's moons, the canals on Mars, the mote in Murcheson's Eye, C-beams glittering in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate...  That kind of thing.
</p><p>On the other hand if you're in downtown LA you might want to show them some of the stars in the Big Dipper, or see how much of Orion's belt you can make out.  After that it's time to head back into the classroom and have a nice long lesson about Light Pollution.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>That kind of depends on where you are .
If you 're viewing from way out on the edge of town with nothing but farmland in all directions then you 'll be able to see some pretty impressive things like the rings of Saturn , Jupiter 's moons , the canals on Mars , the mote in Murcheson 's Eye , C-beams glittering in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate... That kind of thing .
On the other hand if you 're in downtown LA you might want to show them some of the stars in the Big Dipper , or see how much of Orion 's belt you can make out .
After that it 's time to head back into the classroom and have a nice long lesson about Light Pollution .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>That kind of depends on where you are.
If you're viewing from way out on the edge of town with nothing but farmland in all directions then you'll be able to see some pretty impressive things like the rings of Saturn, Jupiter's moons, the canals on Mars, the mote in Murcheson's Eye, C-beams glittering in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate...  That kind of thing.
On the other hand if you're in downtown LA you might want to show them some of the stars in the Big Dipper, or see how much of Orion's belt you can make out.
After that it's time to head back into the classroom and have a nice long lesson about Light Pollution.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092500</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265026680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Definitely the nebula in Orion.  Ought to look snazzy.  Don't expect color though.  It may appear bluish if you're lucky, but mostly it will look like a fog.  Also you can probably just make out the blur of the Andromeda galaxy, but I'm pretty sure it is currently up too early.</p><p>If you are meeting at the school, try to convince the janitor to shut off a portion of the floodlights.  Make sure you spend at least 5 minutes allowing your night vision to build up.  Don't destroy it by sending text messages!</p><p>One important thing, and almost no one starts out knowing this; magnification is not the most important thing in telescoping.  The Orion nebula at 300x is not nearly as awesome as it is at 60x!  Jupiter at 300x is likely to be blurred beyond any value (thanks to the atmosphere as much as your optics).</p><p>One last thing, that I really wish I had known.  If you like backyard astronomy, you are very likely to want to upgrade your telescope as soon as you can.  Bear this in mind; A 6" telescope with a high f-number (wiki explains these) will be fantastic for photography, and easily focused.  It will not be nearly as good for using your eyeball.  Stick with a medium/low f number.  Stars/shapes maybe be blurrier/fuzzier at the edges, but you'll actually be able to do some deep sky observing.  I'm so disappointed in my f15.4 and I can by no means afford to replace it.  If I wanted to do astralphotography it would be awesome, but I want to sit out in the cold and look at stuff.  If I knew then what I know now, I'd get an f6.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Definitely the nebula in Orion .
Ought to look snazzy .
Do n't expect color though .
It may appear bluish if you 're lucky , but mostly it will look like a fog .
Also you can probably just make out the blur of the Andromeda galaxy , but I 'm pretty sure it is currently up too early.If you are meeting at the school , try to convince the janitor to shut off a portion of the floodlights .
Make sure you spend at least 5 minutes allowing your night vision to build up .
Do n't destroy it by sending text messages ! One important thing , and almost no one starts out knowing this ; magnification is not the most important thing in telescoping .
The Orion nebula at 300x is not nearly as awesome as it is at 60x !
Jupiter at 300x is likely to be blurred beyond any value ( thanks to the atmosphere as much as your optics ) .One last thing , that I really wish I had known .
If you like backyard astronomy , you are very likely to want to upgrade your telescope as soon as you can .
Bear this in mind ; A 6 " telescope with a high f-number ( wiki explains these ) will be fantastic for photography , and easily focused .
It will not be nearly as good for using your eyeball .
Stick with a medium/low f number .
Stars/shapes maybe be blurrier/fuzzier at the edges , but you 'll actually be able to do some deep sky observing .
I 'm so disappointed in my f15.4 and I can by no means afford to replace it .
If I wanted to do astralphotography it would be awesome , but I want to sit out in the cold and look at stuff .
If I knew then what I know now , I 'd get an f6 .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Definitely the nebula in Orion.
Ought to look snazzy.
Don't expect color though.
It may appear bluish if you're lucky, but mostly it will look like a fog.
Also you can probably just make out the blur of the Andromeda galaxy, but I'm pretty sure it is currently up too early.If you are meeting at the school, try to convince the janitor to shut off a portion of the floodlights.
Make sure you spend at least 5 minutes allowing your night vision to build up.
Don't destroy it by sending text messages!One important thing, and almost no one starts out knowing this; magnification is not the most important thing in telescoping.
The Orion nebula at 300x is not nearly as awesome as it is at 60x!
Jupiter at 300x is likely to be blurred beyond any value (thanks to the atmosphere as much as your optics).One last thing, that I really wish I had known.
If you like backyard astronomy, you are very likely to want to upgrade your telescope as soon as you can.
Bear this in mind; A 6" telescope with a high f-number (wiki explains these) will be fantastic for photography, and easily focused.
It will not be nearly as good for using your eyeball.
Stick with a medium/low f number.
Stars/shapes maybe be blurrier/fuzzier at the edges, but you'll actually be able to do some deep sky observing.
I'm so disappointed in my f15.4 and I can by no means afford to replace it.
If I wanted to do astralphotography it would be awesome, but I want to sit out in the cold and look at stuff.
If I knew then what I know now, I'd get an f6.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091062</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31095652</id>
	<title>Rural dark skies</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265045100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>will reveal a bunch of great stuff.  Stellarium is a great open source planetarium application that'll help you to locate what you decide to observe.  Check out a Messier Marathon list (http://seds.org/messier/xtra/similar/mm\_plus.html), find the brightest objects, and you should be fine.  The following look pretty good in a 4" scope:  Double Cluster, Pleiades, Blue Snowball Nebulae, M39.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>will reveal a bunch of great stuff .
Stellarium is a great open source planetarium application that 'll help you to locate what you decide to observe .
Check out a Messier Marathon list ( http : //seds.org/messier/xtra/similar/mm \ _plus.html ) , find the brightest objects , and you should be fine .
The following look pretty good in a 4 " scope : Double Cluster , Pleiades , Blue Snowball Nebulae , M39 .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>will reveal a bunch of great stuff.
Stellarium is a great open source planetarium application that'll help you to locate what you decide to observe.
Check out a Messier Marathon list (http://seds.org/messier/xtra/similar/mm\_plus.html), find the brightest objects, and you should be fine.
The following look pretty good in a 4" scope:  Double Cluster, Pleiades, Blue Snowball Nebulae, M39.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091044</id>
	<title>Depending on your location-</title>
	<author>SultanJ</author>
	<datestamp>1265020260000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I would submit Saturn. depending on when and where your class is, even with a smaller telescope you should be able to see the rings. They are currently on the way to 'opening' again (as visible from earth), but I believe you could see something there. Another very good resource (I find especially for ISS sightings), is Heavens-Above.com. They have LOTS of info, maps, sighting schedules, etc.</htmltext>
<tokenext>I would submit Saturn .
depending on when and where your class is , even with a smaller telescope you should be able to see the rings .
They are currently on the way to 'opening ' again ( as visible from earth ) , but I believe you could see something there .
Another very good resource ( I find especially for ISS sightings ) , is Heavens-Above.com .
They have LOTS of info , maps , sighting schedules , etc .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I would submit Saturn.
depending on when and where your class is, even with a smaller telescope you should be able to see the rings.
They are currently on the way to 'opening' again (as visible from earth), but I believe you could see something there.
Another very good resource (I find especially for ISS sightings), is Heavens-Above.com.
They have LOTS of info, maps, sighting schedules, etc.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092378</id>
	<title>Have you thought</title>
	<author>geekoid</author>
	<datestamp>1265025840000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>to ask around to see if any other amateur astronomers might come out and lend there scope?</p><p>As far as object, there are two thing I like to show people.<br>A close up of the moon. It has feature people can relate to, and it's kind of awe inspiring to watch it Zoom by.</p><p>If your scope is good enough, any object with rings. That is also pretty awe inspiring.</p><p>What not to look at:<br>Anything that just look like a bigger bright spot.<br>Oh, and don't look at the Sun with your remaining eye.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>to ask around to see if any other amateur astronomers might come out and lend there scope ? As far as object , there are two thing I like to show people.A close up of the moon .
It has feature people can relate to , and it 's kind of awe inspiring to watch it Zoom by.If your scope is good enough , any object with rings .
That is also pretty awe inspiring.What not to look at : Anything that just look like a bigger bright spot.Oh , and do n't look at the Sun with your remaining eye .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>to ask around to see if any other amateur astronomers might come out and lend there scope?As far as object, there are two thing I like to show people.A close up of the moon.
It has feature people can relate to, and it's kind of awe inspiring to watch it Zoom by.If your scope is good enough, any object with rings.
That is also pretty awe inspiring.What not to look at:Anything that just look like a bigger bright spot.Oh, and don't look at the Sun with your remaining eye.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090648</id>
	<title>Messier Objects</title>
	<author>Zarquil</author>
	<datestamp>1265018580000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There's a whole bunch of ways to approach it, but my favorite is to dig up the Messier objects - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier\_object" title="wikipedia.org">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier\_object</a> [wikipedia.org] - visible in your sky and just run down what you have available. Tried and true, fairly well known, and they're tough enough you have to actually look for them, but mostly easily enough to find that the students can find success.  Another bonus:  There are fantastic images available online and you can dig up a pile of photos that will help them see what they're looking for.  Side topics up for discussion could be photo manipulation, wavelengths of light, and why the photos don't look the same as we can see through a microscope.  It's important in case you think you can put a camera at the end of a telescope and just snap off equivalent photos.</p><p>Personal recommendation:  If you're just starting yourself take a look at the Astronomy Picture of the Day <a href="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/" title="nasa.gov">http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/</a> [nasa.gov] to see what kinds of interesting objects are in the sky at that particular time of year.  They give great talking points there targeted towards interested amateurs like me.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There 's a whole bunch of ways to approach it , but my favorite is to dig up the Messier objects - http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier \ _object [ wikipedia.org ] - visible in your sky and just run down what you have available .
Tried and true , fairly well known , and they 're tough enough you have to actually look for them , but mostly easily enough to find that the students can find success .
Another bonus : There are fantastic images available online and you can dig up a pile of photos that will help them see what they 're looking for .
Side topics up for discussion could be photo manipulation , wavelengths of light , and why the photos do n't look the same as we can see through a microscope .
It 's important in case you think you can put a camera at the end of a telescope and just snap off equivalent photos.Personal recommendation : If you 're just starting yourself take a look at the Astronomy Picture of the Day http : //apod.nasa.gov/apod/ [ nasa.gov ] to see what kinds of interesting objects are in the sky at that particular time of year .
They give great talking points there targeted towards interested amateurs like me .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There's a whole bunch of ways to approach it, but my favorite is to dig up the Messier objects - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier\_object [wikipedia.org] - visible in your sky and just run down what you have available.
Tried and true, fairly well known, and they're tough enough you have to actually look for them, but mostly easily enough to find that the students can find success.
Another bonus:  There are fantastic images available online and you can dig up a pile of photos that will help them see what they're looking for.
Side topics up for discussion could be photo manipulation, wavelengths of light, and why the photos don't look the same as we can see through a microscope.
It's important in case you think you can put a camera at the end of a telescope and just snap off equivalent photos.Personal recommendation:  If you're just starting yourself take a look at the Astronomy Picture of the Day http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ [nasa.gov] to see what kinds of interesting objects are in the sky at that particular time of year.
They give great talking points there targeted towards interested amateurs like me.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31096244</id>
	<title>Astronomy resources</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265050200000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There are LOTS of astronomy resources for educators if you know where to find them.  NASA sponsors education ambassadors for missions ( I am one), and many of these have web sites for all sorts of specialized programs and purposes.</p><p>I would suggest you look up NASA's night sky network, a network of amateur astronomers who assist schools and the public in learning about astronomy.  There's almost certainly an active chapter in your area.  Someone could actually come to your school and help you with your telescope and show you things you can point at with it.</p><p>http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/</p><p>I will be happy to answer any questions you have, or find someone for you who can.  Please feel free to write to me directly at astronomyteacher "at" mac.com.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There are LOTS of astronomy resources for educators if you know where to find them .
NASA sponsors education ambassadors for missions ( I am one ) , and many of these have web sites for all sorts of specialized programs and purposes.I would suggest you look up NASA 's night sky network , a network of amateur astronomers who assist schools and the public in learning about astronomy .
There 's almost certainly an active chapter in your area .
Someone could actually come to your school and help you with your telescope and show you things you can point at with it.http : //nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/I will be happy to answer any questions you have , or find someone for you who can .
Please feel free to write to me directly at astronomyteacher " at " mac.com .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There are LOTS of astronomy resources for educators if you know where to find them.
NASA sponsors education ambassadors for missions ( I am one), and many of these have web sites for all sorts of specialized programs and purposes.I would suggest you look up NASA's night sky network, a network of amateur astronomers who assist schools and the public in learning about astronomy.
There's almost certainly an active chapter in your area.
Someone could actually come to your school and help you with your telescope and show you things you can point at with it.http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/I will be happy to answer any questions you have, or find someone for you who can.
Please feel free to write to me directly at astronomyteacher "at" mac.com.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31093146</id>
	<title>American Association of Variable Star Observers</title>
	<author>eav</author>
	<datestamp>1265030340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext>The AAVSO ( <a href="http://www.aavso.org/" title="aavso.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.aavso.org/</a> [aavso.org] ) should have plenty of real science they could do with a 4" telescope.</htmltext>
<tokenext>The AAVSO ( http : //www.aavso.org/ [ aavso.org ] ) should have plenty of real science they could do with a 4 " telescope .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The AAVSO ( http://www.aavso.org/ [aavso.org] ) should have plenty of real science they could do with a 4" telescope.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090818</id>
	<title>some observations</title>
	<author>khallow</author>
	<datestamp>1265019300000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Get accustomed to setting up and taking down your telescope in the dark. You probably want a couple of flashlights with red filters to reduce night vision loss. Your students might be able to bring a few more binoculars or telescopes so that your students have something to do other than wait their turn at the telescope. Finally, I see a few links to sites about amateur astronomy. These can be pretty useful since there are a number of unintuitive things about telescope observer that would be better for you to find out ahead of time (for example, nebula look better at smaller magnification because they have low surface brightness).</htmltext>
<tokenext>Get accustomed to setting up and taking down your telescope in the dark .
You probably want a couple of flashlights with red filters to reduce night vision loss .
Your students might be able to bring a few more binoculars or telescopes so that your students have something to do other than wait their turn at the telescope .
Finally , I see a few links to sites about amateur astronomy .
These can be pretty useful since there are a number of unintuitive things about telescope observer that would be better for you to find out ahead of time ( for example , nebula look better at smaller magnification because they have low surface brightness ) .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Get accustomed to setting up and taking down your telescope in the dark.
You probably want a couple of flashlights with red filters to reduce night vision loss.
Your students might be able to bring a few more binoculars or telescopes so that your students have something to do other than wait their turn at the telescope.
Finally, I see a few links to sites about amateur astronomy.
These can be pretty useful since there are a number of unintuitive things about telescope observer that would be better for you to find out ahead of time (for example, nebula look better at smaller magnification because they have low surface brightness).</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091146</id>
	<title>It's not that easy</title>
	<author>Liquidrage</author>
	<datestamp>1265020680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>If you're asking that question it makes me think you're not very versed in using a telescope. Which has some problems.
<br> <br>
4" lens is pretty much meaningless as far as getting help. Is this an APO refractor? Newtonian? What kind of mount and is it motorized (I wouldn't want an adult to see through very high magnification on a non-motorized mount let alone a kid) ? These variables really change what I would try to view.
<br> <br>
There are tons of sites/programs that will map out a viewing session for you for a given location and date. And as mentioned the Moon is usually worth watching in any situation.
<br> <br>
Past that, you need to practice finding things in a scope. It's not as easy as many think. The moon most people can get, but beyond that it gets tricky and a lot of would be backyard astonomers give up. Even a planet you can see with your eye can be frustrating to find in a scope. The one piece of equipment most people with telescopes need, but don't have, is a zero reflex finder like a telrad. This will make finding things with your scope *much* easier. Those little spotting scopes that comes with most telescopes are worthless for most backyard uses unless you have a lot of practice using them. A telrad lets you point your scope with both eyes open with good precision. There's even charts for finding things specifically with a telrad..
<br> <br>
It's not overly daunting. But you have to take this seriously to give the kids a good show. If you're willing to put in 10 hours of so of work, you can show them some cool things. It's won't be the best time of the year to view Orion (one of the cooler things to look at and easier things to find). But there will be things out there worth seeing.</htmltext>
<tokenext>If you 're asking that question it makes me think you 're not very versed in using a telescope .
Which has some problems .
4 " lens is pretty much meaningless as far as getting help .
Is this an APO refractor ?
Newtonian ? What kind of mount and is it motorized ( I would n't want an adult to see through very high magnification on a non-motorized mount let alone a kid ) ?
These variables really change what I would try to view .
There are tons of sites/programs that will map out a viewing session for you for a given location and date .
And as mentioned the Moon is usually worth watching in any situation .
Past that , you need to practice finding things in a scope .
It 's not as easy as many think .
The moon most people can get , but beyond that it gets tricky and a lot of would be backyard astonomers give up .
Even a planet you can see with your eye can be frustrating to find in a scope .
The one piece of equipment most people with telescopes need , but do n't have , is a zero reflex finder like a telrad .
This will make finding things with your scope * much * easier .
Those little spotting scopes that comes with most telescopes are worthless for most backyard uses unless you have a lot of practice using them .
A telrad lets you point your scope with both eyes open with good precision .
There 's even charts for finding things specifically with a telrad. . It 's not overly daunting .
But you have to take this seriously to give the kids a good show .
If you 're willing to put in 10 hours of so of work , you can show them some cool things .
It 's wo n't be the best time of the year to view Orion ( one of the cooler things to look at and easier things to find ) .
But there will be things out there worth seeing .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>If you're asking that question it makes me think you're not very versed in using a telescope.
Which has some problems.
4" lens is pretty much meaningless as far as getting help.
Is this an APO refractor?
Newtonian? What kind of mount and is it motorized (I wouldn't want an adult to see through very high magnification on a non-motorized mount let alone a kid) ?
These variables really change what I would try to view.
There are tons of sites/programs that will map out a viewing session for you for a given location and date.
And as mentioned the Moon is usually worth watching in any situation.
Past that, you need to practice finding things in a scope.
It's not as easy as many think.
The moon most people can get, but beyond that it gets tricky and a lot of would be backyard astonomers give up.
Even a planet you can see with your eye can be frustrating to find in a scope.
The one piece of equipment most people with telescopes need, but don't have, is a zero reflex finder like a telrad.
This will make finding things with your scope *much* easier.
Those little spotting scopes that comes with most telescopes are worthless for most backyard uses unless you have a lot of practice using them.
A telrad lets you point your scope with both eyes open with good precision.
There's even charts for finding things specifically with a telrad..
 
It's not overly daunting.
But you have to take this seriously to give the kids a good show.
If you're willing to put in 10 hours of so of work, you can show them some cool things.
It's won't be the best time of the year to view Orion (one of the cooler things to look at and easier things to find).
But there will be things out there worth seeing.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31102990</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265918700000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Most telescopes without the correct filter will be destoyed in about ten minutes if pointed at the sun. Don't do it.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Most telescopes without the correct filter will be destoyed in about ten minutes if pointed at the sun .
Do n't do it .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Most telescopes without the correct filter will be destoyed in about ten minutes if pointed at the sun.
Don't do it.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091062</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090790</id>
	<title>What every kid wants to do</title>
	<author>SnarfQuest</author>
	<datestamp>1265019240000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Do what every kid wants to do with a large magnifing device: you burn ants! It's a great daytime activity, and gives tham a chance to release their aggressive tendencies. Gets them outside burning calories, cutting down on clildhood obesity, unless they start eating the ants.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Do what every kid wants to do with a large magnifing device : you burn ants !
It 's a great daytime activity , and gives tham a chance to release their aggressive tendencies .
Gets them outside burning calories , cutting down on clildhood obesity , unless they start eating the ants .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Do what every kid wants to do with a large magnifing device: you burn ants!
It's a great daytime activity, and gives tham a chance to release their aggressive tendencies.
Gets them outside burning calories, cutting down on clildhood obesity, unless they start eating the ants.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092888</id>
	<title>Try Stellarium</title>
	<author>KarelK</author>
	<datestamp>1265029020000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Try <a href="http://www.stellarium.org/" title="stellarium.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.stellarium.org/</a> [stellarium.org] - it's a virtual planetarium. After studies with software, even weaker telescopes are nice to work with, they'll confirm previous work and the whole (software + telescopes) will be more satisfying.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Try http : //www.stellarium.org/ [ stellarium.org ] - it 's a virtual planetarium .
After studies with software , even weaker telescopes are nice to work with , they 'll confirm previous work and the whole ( software + telescopes ) will be more satisfying .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Try http://www.stellarium.org/ [stellarium.org] - it's a virtual planetarium.
After studies with software, even weaker telescopes are nice to work with, they'll confirm previous work and the whole (software + telescopes) will be more satisfying.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31093312</id>
	<title>Satellites also</title>
	<author>JumpDrive</author>
	<datestamp>1265031120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>While you are looking at the moon with the telescope.  You might want to interest some of the students in looking for satellites.  This is also dependent on your location.  If you are in a rural area.</htmltext>
<tokenext>While you are looking at the moon with the telescope .
You might want to interest some of the students in looking for satellites .
This is also dependent on your location .
If you are in a rural area .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>While you are looking at the moon with the telescope.
You might want to interest some of the students in looking for satellites.
This is also dependent on your location.
If you are in a rural area.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090904</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019660000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>Advantages: Easy to find in the sky. Viewable during daytime hours.</p></div><p>Equipment : Baader filter and webcam</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>Advantages : Easy to find in the sky .
Viewable during daytime hours.Equipment : Baader filter and webcam</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Advantages: Easy to find in the sky.
Viewable during daytime hours.Equipment : Baader filter and webcam
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31096678</id>
	<title>Re:Venus</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265919120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Add to this list the Pleades (use LOWEST power or binocs, sure to please!) Look at the moon 3 days after new moon when earthshine is strongest, discuss earthshine, see if any of your students can guess its cause, explain who first did.  Mars is not visually impressive through any small scope, you have to use your imagination.  Saturn will be beautiful through that scope in a few years but not now (edge on).  andromeda, orion nebula, hercules, and the rich star fields of the center of our galaxy in sagitarius are beautiful under dark skies but all but invisible in most US cities and suburbs.  discuss light polution and whether LED lights will make it better or worse.  Jupiter looks fine in anything over 3" and you can see galileo's 4 moons with binocs.  The early poster who said otherwise should be modded down nonsense.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Add to this list the Pleades ( use LOWEST power or binocs , sure to please !
) Look at the moon 3 days after new moon when earthshine is strongest , discuss earthshine , see if any of your students can guess its cause , explain who first did .
Mars is not visually impressive through any small scope , you have to use your imagination .
Saturn will be beautiful through that scope in a few years but not now ( edge on ) .
andromeda , orion nebula , hercules , and the rich star fields of the center of our galaxy in sagitarius are beautiful under dark skies but all but invisible in most US cities and suburbs .
discuss light polution and whether LED lights will make it better or worse .
Jupiter looks fine in anything over 3 " and you can see galileo 's 4 moons with binocs .
The early poster who said otherwise should be modded down nonsense .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Add to this list the Pleades (use LOWEST power or binocs, sure to please!
) Look at the moon 3 days after new moon when earthshine is strongest, discuss earthshine, see if any of your students can guess its cause, explain who first did.
Mars is not visually impressive through any small scope, you have to use your imagination.
Saturn will be beautiful through that scope in a few years but not now (edge on).
andromeda, orion nebula, hercules, and the rich star fields of the center of our galaxy in sagitarius are beautiful under dark skies but all but invisible in most US cities and suburbs.
discuss light polution and whether LED lights will make it better or worse.
Jupiter looks fine in anything over 3" and you can see galileo's 4 moons with binocs.
The early poster who said otherwise should be modded down nonsense.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090834</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31098240</id>
	<title>The Messier Catalog.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265895180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>The moon is fun for one viewing but what to do afterwards?<br>http://seds.org/messier/<br>how about the messier catalog, galaxys! Nebula! all visible with larger binoculars and small scopes, sure you'll get better detail with the big scopes, but you can see them and check them out with a 4"</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>The moon is fun for one viewing but what to do afterwards ? http : //seds.org/messier/how about the messier catalog , galaxys !
Nebula ! all visible with larger binoculars and small scopes , sure you 'll get better detail with the big scopes , but you can see them and check them out with a 4 "</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The moon is fun for one viewing but what to do afterwards?http://seds.org/messier/how about the messier catalog, galaxys!
Nebula! all visible with larger binoculars and small scopes, sure you'll get better detail with the big scopes, but you can see them and check them out with a 4"</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31094888</id>
	<title>Pick things that are different and viewable.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265039280000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Examples: Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus.</p><p>Google them, and they will all will have tutorials on how to view them.  Cheers.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Examples : Sun , Moon , Mars , Jupiter , and Venus.Google them , and they will all will have tutorials on how to view them .
Cheers .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Examples: Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus.Google them, and they will all will have tutorials on how to view them.
Cheers.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31093348</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265031300000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I tried this once.  It worked pretty well until I noticed that my eyepiece had begun to melt.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I tried this once .
It worked pretty well until I noticed that my eyepiece had begun to melt .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I tried this once.
It worked pretty well until I noticed that my eyepiece had begun to melt.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091062</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091310</id>
	<title>Ask NASA:</title>
	<author>oneiros27</author>
	<datestamp>1265021100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>NASA has a website for educators:</p><p>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html" title="nasa.gov">http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html</a> [nasa.gov]</p><p>Most missions have a public outreach person who will send materials to teachers for use in their classroom.</p><p>And for those joking about looking at the sun, see :</p><p>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/classroom/for\_students.html" title="nasa.gov">http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/classroom/for\_students.html</a> [nasa.gov]<br>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/classroom/classroom.shtml" title="nasa.gov">http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/classroom/classroom.shtml</a> [nasa.gov]</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>NASA has a website for educators :         http : //www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html [ nasa.gov ] Most missions have a public outreach person who will send materials to teachers for use in their classroom.And for those joking about looking at the sun , see :         http : //sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/classroom/for \ _students.html [ nasa.gov ]         http : //stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/classroom/classroom.shtml [ nasa.gov ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>NASA has a website for educators:
        http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html [nasa.gov]Most missions have a public outreach person who will send materials to teachers for use in their classroom.And for those joking about looking at the sun, see :
        http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/classroom/for\_students.html [nasa.gov]
        http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/classroom/classroom.shtml [nasa.gov]</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31095770</id>
	<title>Night Adapted Eyes</title>
	<author>Flere Imsaho</author>
	<datestamp>1265046120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Try to avoid any light for half an hour - your eyes only become fully night adapted after 30 mins or so, and you'll see finer details after this occurs</p><p>Use dim red lights if you need to find lost children, etc</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Try to avoid any light for half an hour - your eyes only become fully night adapted after 30 mins or so , and you 'll see finer details after this occursUse dim red lights if you need to find lost children , etc</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Try to avoid any light for half an hour - your eyes only become fully night adapted after 30 mins or so, and you'll see finer details after this occursUse dim red lights if you need to find lost children, etc</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092062</id>
	<title>"I am as new to telescope use as my students"</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265024100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>"I am as new to telescope use as my students," and yet you are teaching Astronomy.</p><p>Proof of what is wrong with American education.  "Those who can't, teach."</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>" I am as new to telescope use as my students , " and yet you are teaching Astronomy.Proof of what is wrong with American education .
" Those who ca n't , teach .
"</tokentext>
<sentencetext>"I am as new to telescope use as my students," and yet you are teaching Astronomy.Proof of what is wrong with American education.
"Those who can't, teach.
"</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31097438</id>
	<title>Stars</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265885460000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Look for star clusters (like h + chi Perseus or M13) and double stars with bright components and maybe very different colors (like eps Lyra and Albireo).</p><p>If you manage to get a bigger telescope, go for the Messier objects.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Look for star clusters ( like h + chi Perseus or M13 ) and double stars with bright components and maybe very different colors ( like eps Lyra and Albireo ) .If you manage to get a bigger telescope , go for the Messier objects .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Look for star clusters (like h + chi Perseus or M13) and double stars with bright components and maybe very different colors (like eps Lyra and Albireo).If you manage to get a bigger telescope, go for the Messier objects.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31097110</id>
	<title>Get Stellarium</title>
	<author>onglipo</author>
	<datestamp>1265880420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Download from <a href="http://www.stellarium.org/" title="stellarium.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.stellarium.org/</a> [stellarium.org] ; all the software you need. Happy nights</htmltext>
<tokenext>Download from http : //www.stellarium.org/ [ stellarium.org ] ; all the software you need .
Happy nights</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Download from http://www.stellarium.org/ [stellarium.org] ; all the software you need.
Happy nights</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091852</id>
	<title>Not enough info</title>
	<author>SlashDev</author>
	<datestamp>1265023260000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>4" telescope isn't enough information. What you need is also a good eyepiece, which is just as important. With a good 4" telescope (TeleVue, Takahashi or many others that cost anywhere between $900 and $4000), you can see plenty, with a mediocre one ($90 at Sears for example), you can see the moon, that's about it. Anything else will look washed out...

A 4", will let you see Jupiter on a dark calm night. Saturn and its rings on almost any night, and check out M13...</htmltext>
<tokenext>4 " telescope is n't enough information .
What you need is also a good eyepiece , which is just as important .
With a good 4 " telescope ( TeleVue , Takahashi or many others that cost anywhere between $ 900 and $ 4000 ) , you can see plenty , with a mediocre one ( $ 90 at Sears for example ) , you can see the moon , that 's about it .
Anything else will look washed out.. . A 4 " , will let you see Jupiter on a dark calm night .
Saturn and its rings on almost any night , and check out M13.. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>4" telescope isn't enough information.
What you need is also a good eyepiece, which is just as important.
With a good 4" telescope (TeleVue, Takahashi or many others that cost anywhere between $900 and $4000), you can see plenty, with a mediocre one ($90 at Sears for example), you can see the moon, that's about it.
Anything else will look washed out...

A 4", will let you see Jupiter on a dark calm night.
Saturn and its rings on almost any night, and check out M13...</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31094744</id>
	<title>zeta</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265038500000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Zeta Reticuli - thats where the greys come from</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Zeta Reticuli - thats where the greys come from</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Zeta Reticuli - thats where the greys come from</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091036</id>
	<title>Focus on the sky</title>
	<author>Strange Ranger</author>
	<datestamp>1265020200000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext>My advice is to focus mostly on the sky rather than the telescope.  You don't want to have "telescope class".<br> <br>
Invite students to bring binoculars.  Find and identify all the constellations you can.  They're not just for astrology, they're a great way to orient yourself to the sky.<br>Plus they're interesting and historical and you can see them with the naked eye.  If you have 2 nights, find a planet on the first night and note it's position.  On your next night out you can note how it "wandered".  "Planet" being greek for "wanderer".  Be sure to check out the Big Dipper.  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeta\_Ursae\_Majoris" title="wikipedia.org">One it's stars</a> [wikipedia.org] is an optical binary as well as a telescopic binary.  There's a nice little story to be told about ancient people using it to test eyesight.  It's a great thing to look at with the naked eye, binoculars, and then the telescope, showing how each tool works relative to the other.
Since most of the kids won't have telescopes at home, these are great lessons in how neat astronomy is with just your eyes and/or binoculars.  They don't need a telescope to be interested.<br> <br>
If you or somebody in your class has an iphone there are <a href="http://the-android-project.blogspot.com/2009/05/5-astronomy-apps-for-iphone-3g.html" title="blogspot.com">great astronomy apps</a> [blogspot.com].  StarMap and Distant Suns are both very good and offer free versions that work great in the field.<br> <br>Also, blankets and tarps are a good thing to bring along.  Looking at the sky with the naked eye or binoculars is much more enjoyable lying on one's back.  Craning necks is a good way to lose interest fast.<br> <br>Have Fun!!</htmltext>
<tokenext>My advice is to focus mostly on the sky rather than the telescope .
You do n't want to have " telescope class " .
Invite students to bring binoculars .
Find and identify all the constellations you can .
They 're not just for astrology , they 're a great way to orient yourself to the sky.Plus they 're interesting and historical and you can see them with the naked eye .
If you have 2 nights , find a planet on the first night and note it 's position .
On your next night out you can note how it " wandered " .
" Planet " being greek for " wanderer " .
Be sure to check out the Big Dipper .
One it 's stars [ wikipedia.org ] is an optical binary as well as a telescopic binary .
There 's a nice little story to be told about ancient people using it to test eyesight .
It 's a great thing to look at with the naked eye , binoculars , and then the telescope , showing how each tool works relative to the other .
Since most of the kids wo n't have telescopes at home , these are great lessons in how neat astronomy is with just your eyes and/or binoculars .
They do n't need a telescope to be interested .
If you or somebody in your class has an iphone there are great astronomy apps [ blogspot.com ] .
StarMap and Distant Suns are both very good and offer free versions that work great in the field .
Also , blankets and tarps are a good thing to bring along .
Looking at the sky with the naked eye or binoculars is much more enjoyable lying on one 's back .
Craning necks is a good way to lose interest fast .
Have Fun !
!</tokentext>
<sentencetext>My advice is to focus mostly on the sky rather than the telescope.
You don't want to have "telescope class".
Invite students to bring binoculars.
Find and identify all the constellations you can.
They're not just for astrology, they're a great way to orient yourself to the sky.Plus they're interesting and historical and you can see them with the naked eye.
If you have 2 nights, find a planet on the first night and note it's position.
On your next night out you can note how it "wandered".
"Planet" being greek for "wanderer".
Be sure to check out the Big Dipper.
One it's stars [wikipedia.org] is an optical binary as well as a telescopic binary.
There's a nice little story to be told about ancient people using it to test eyesight.
It's a great thing to look at with the naked eye, binoculars, and then the telescope, showing how each tool works relative to the other.
Since most of the kids won't have telescopes at home, these are great lessons in how neat astronomy is with just your eyes and/or binoculars.
They don't need a telescope to be interested.
If you or somebody in your class has an iphone there are great astronomy apps [blogspot.com].
StarMap and Distant Suns are both very good and offer free versions that work great in the field.
Also, blankets and tarps are a good thing to bring along.
Looking at the sky with the naked eye or binoculars is much more enjoyable lying on one's back.
Craning necks is a good way to lose interest fast.
Have Fun!
!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091636</id>
	<title>Outer planets</title>
	<author>sneakyimp</author>
	<datestamp>1265022420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, there's an app called 'Planets' which is free and makes it very easy to locate the planets:<br><a href="http://www.apptism.com/apps/planets" title="apptism.com">http://www.apptism.com/apps/planets</a> [apptism.com]</p><p>The app gives you the azimuth and elevation of the various planets.  Venus and Mercury are tough because they are pretty much always in the general direction of the sun due to the geography of the whole situation. The sun being so bright, it's hard to see them.</p><p>Mars and Jupiter are pretty good bets I think.</p><p>Not sure how powerful a 4" telescope is, but this list may be useful:<br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brightest\_stars" title="wikipedia.org">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brightest\_stars</a> [wikipedia.org]</p><p>Also, I'm particularly fascinated with Eta Carinae.<br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eta\_carinae" title="wikipedia.org">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eta\_carinae</a> [wikipedia.org]</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>If you have an iPhone or iPod touch , there 's an app called 'Planets ' which is free and makes it very easy to locate the planets : http : //www.apptism.com/apps/planets [ apptism.com ] The app gives you the azimuth and elevation of the various planets .
Venus and Mercury are tough because they are pretty much always in the general direction of the sun due to the geography of the whole situation .
The sun being so bright , it 's hard to see them.Mars and Jupiter are pretty good bets I think.Not sure how powerful a 4 " telescope is , but this list may be useful : http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brightest \ _stars [ wikipedia.org ] Also , I 'm particularly fascinated with Eta Carinae.http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eta \ _carinae [ wikipedia.org ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, there's an app called 'Planets' which is free and makes it very easy to locate the planets:http://www.apptism.com/apps/planets [apptism.com]The app gives you the azimuth and elevation of the various planets.
Venus and Mercury are tough because they are pretty much always in the general direction of the sun due to the geography of the whole situation.
The sun being so bright, it's hard to see them.Mars and Jupiter are pretty good bets I think.Not sure how powerful a 4" telescope is, but this list may be useful:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brightest\_stars [wikipedia.org]Also, I'm particularly fascinated with Eta Carinae.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eta\_carinae [wikipedia.org]</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31096544</id>
	<title>Artificial satellites are interresting too...</title>
	<author>xof</author>
	<datestamp>1265053620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>You don't need a telescope and it is not really astronomy but...  ISS is very bright. Iridium flares are interesting.  It is a whole world to explore and think about.  You can see first satellite watchers in 'October Sky/Rocket boys'; a very nice film about science education in the US after the Sputnik launch.

<ul>
<li> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite\_watching" title="wikipedia.org" rel="nofollow">Satellite watching</a> [wikipedia.org]</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.heavens-above.com/" title="heavens-above.com" rel="nofollow">heavens-above</a> [heavens-above.com] for local ephemerids</li>
<li> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium\_flares" title="wikipedia.org" rel="nofollow">Iridium flares</a> [wikipedia.org]</li>
<li> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket\_boys" title="wikipedia.org" rel="nofollow">Rocket Boys</a> [wikipedia.org]</li>
<li> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputnik\_program" title="wikipedia.org" rel="nofollow">Sputnik</a> [wikipedia.org]</li>
</ul></htmltext>
<tokenext>You do n't need a telescope and it is not really astronomy but... ISS is very bright .
Iridium flares are interesting .
It is a whole world to explore and think about .
You can see first satellite watchers in 'October Sky/Rocket boys ' ; a very nice film about science education in the US after the Sputnik launch .
Satellite watching [ wikipedia.org ] heavens-above [ heavens-above.com ] for local ephemerids Iridium flares [ wikipedia.org ] Rocket Boys [ wikipedia.org ] Sputnik [ wikipedia.org ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>You don't need a telescope and it is not really astronomy but...  ISS is very bright.
Iridium flares are interesting.
It is a whole world to explore and think about.
You can see first satellite watchers in 'October Sky/Rocket boys'; a very nice film about science education in the US after the Sputnik launch.
Satellite watching [wikipedia.org]
 heavens-above [heavens-above.com] for local ephemerids
 Iridium flares [wikipedia.org]
 Rocket Boys [wikipedia.org]
 Sputnik [wikipedia.org]
</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090878</id>
	<title>4" is a small telescope - stick to bright objects</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019480000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Interestin</modclass>
	<modscore>3</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Some suggestions:</p><p>- Start with the planets, and bright messier objects (brighter than magnitude 4 to start with). Don't waste too much time on fainter deep sky objects - you need a larger scope (bigger aperture) and/or low light pollution.<br>- Take a look at the zodical constellations and plan ahead to look at what's visible at the time of year your course is on.<br>- Get a planisphere, and a book or two.<br>- Take a look at the free astronomy software out there - especially Cartes Du Ceil/Skycharts, Celestia, Stellarium. There's excellent paid stuff too but start with what's free.<br>- Get in touch with your local astronomy club and talk to them - some of them will have been in it for decades and will intimately know what's viewable from your location for a given time of year. You might even be able to get one to come out for an observing night.<br>- Look up the brightest stars in wikipedia<br>- Find a local professional astronomer and ask if they know of any school programs your school can get involved in. There may be a chance to get the kids to do some real science<br>- Get a hold of a cheap pair of 7x50 binoculars. Binoculars are easier to use than a telescope, can be mounted to a camera tripod if you wish, and easier to learn to use before stepping up to a scope.<br>- Create some basic analogue setting circles for your telescope and learn to align it so you can be sure you know what you're looking at<br>- Make sure your kids know what they're looking at. Kids are use to big visuals and if they don't understand what they're seeing even the most impressive sites like Saturn's rings will be a let down</p><p>The web is your friend. Lots out there. Not all related to observing. Google beginner astronomy.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Some suggestions : - Start with the planets , and bright messier objects ( brighter than magnitude 4 to start with ) .
Do n't waste too much time on fainter deep sky objects - you need a larger scope ( bigger aperture ) and/or low light pollution.- Take a look at the zodical constellations and plan ahead to look at what 's visible at the time of year your course is on.- Get a planisphere , and a book or two.- Take a look at the free astronomy software out there - especially Cartes Du Ceil/Skycharts , Celestia , Stellarium .
There 's excellent paid stuff too but start with what 's free.- Get in touch with your local astronomy club and talk to them - some of them will have been in it for decades and will intimately know what 's viewable from your location for a given time of year .
You might even be able to get one to come out for an observing night.- Look up the brightest stars in wikipedia- Find a local professional astronomer and ask if they know of any school programs your school can get involved in .
There may be a chance to get the kids to do some real science- Get a hold of a cheap pair of 7x50 binoculars .
Binoculars are easier to use than a telescope , can be mounted to a camera tripod if you wish , and easier to learn to use before stepping up to a scope.- Create some basic analogue setting circles for your telescope and learn to align it so you can be sure you know what you 're looking at- Make sure your kids know what they 're looking at .
Kids are use to big visuals and if they do n't understand what they 're seeing even the most impressive sites like Saturn 's rings will be a let downThe web is your friend .
Lots out there .
Not all related to observing .
Google beginner astronomy .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Some suggestions:- Start with the planets, and bright messier objects (brighter than magnitude 4 to start with).
Don't waste too much time on fainter deep sky objects - you need a larger scope (bigger aperture) and/or low light pollution.- Take a look at the zodical constellations and plan ahead to look at what's visible at the time of year your course is on.- Get a planisphere, and a book or two.- Take a look at the free astronomy software out there - especially Cartes Du Ceil/Skycharts, Celestia, Stellarium.
There's excellent paid stuff too but start with what's free.- Get in touch with your local astronomy club and talk to them - some of them will have been in it for decades and will intimately know what's viewable from your location for a given time of year.
You might even be able to get one to come out for an observing night.- Look up the brightest stars in wikipedia- Find a local professional astronomer and ask if they know of any school programs your school can get involved in.
There may be a chance to get the kids to do some real science- Get a hold of a cheap pair of 7x50 binoculars.
Binoculars are easier to use than a telescope, can be mounted to a camera tripod if you wish, and easier to learn to use before stepping up to a scope.- Create some basic analogue setting circles for your telescope and learn to align it so you can be sure you know what you're looking at- Make sure your kids know what they're looking at.
Kids are use to big visuals and if they don't understand what they're seeing even the most impressive sites like Saturn's rings will be a let downThe web is your friend.
Lots out there.
Not all related to observing.
Google beginner astronomy.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090864</id>
	<title>I did this in Grade 10 during the day</title>
	<author>Dr. Evil</author>
	<datestamp>1265019420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>In grade 10 the most impressive viewing I had was a daytime viewing of Jupiter.  We looked at multiple planets during the day, it was very cool.  It was an elective astronomy class though, so everyone there was very interested.

</p><p>The moon is good, but planets, depending on what is in the sky, would also be very cool.  You can really see that Mars is red.

</p><p>Show them whatever inner planets are visible this time of year and they'll probably never forget it.  Venus, Mars and Jupiter are awesome...  and show them how you found them in the sky.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>In grade 10 the most impressive viewing I had was a daytime viewing of Jupiter .
We looked at multiple planets during the day , it was very cool .
It was an elective astronomy class though , so everyone there was very interested .
The moon is good , but planets , depending on what is in the sky , would also be very cool .
You can really see that Mars is red .
Show them whatever inner planets are visible this time of year and they 'll probably never forget it .
Venus , Mars and Jupiter are awesome... and show them how you found them in the sky .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>In grade 10 the most impressive viewing I had was a daytime viewing of Jupiter.
We looked at multiple planets during the day, it was very cool.
It was an elective astronomy class though, so everyone there was very interested.
The moon is good, but planets, depending on what is in the sky, would also be very cool.
You can really see that Mars is red.
Show them whatever inner planets are visible this time of year and they'll probably never forget it.
Venus, Mars and Jupiter are awesome...  and show them how you found them in the sky.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31097946</id>
	<title>Obvious, isn't it?</title>
	<author>master\_p</author>
	<datestamp>1265890860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Uranus<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-)</p><p>(hey, no Uranus joke so far? what happened?)</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Uranus : - ) ( hey , no Uranus joke so far ?
what happened ?
)</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Uranus :-)(hey, no Uranus joke so far?
what happened?
)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31098620</id>
	<title>Who needs the 'scope?</title>
	<author>Bucko</author>
	<datestamp>1265898720000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Sorry I saw this so late.<br>Over 30 years ago I taught Astronomy to college freshmen. Thought I did a decent enough job, but if I had to do it over again...</p><p>First of all, please make sure that the students actually know the basics. My gut says most won't know that which way is North or South, or that the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west.</p><p>Have them watch the Moon enough to know that it moves nightly to the east, relative to the stars, and have them watch the stars enough to know that they move to the west nightly, relative to the Sun. These in and of themselves are not a trivial observations.</p><p>Have them locate planets. Mars is well placed in the evening sky. Have them learn to read a star chart to see the bright object that isn't shown. That implies they can indeed identify more that "the big dipper".</p><p>The Pleiades are high in the sky now. It starts a great lesson in star clusters and stellar nurseries.</p><p>The pretty stuff - M42 in Orion (for the early evening now) and M13 in Herc. later in the year are classics, and a good place to start.</p><p>Later in the spring, Venus is a great naked eye object, and little improved by a telescope. But at least you can show them it's a crescent.  Mercury is something to look for mid-April in the evening sky. It's not improved at all with a telescope!</p><p>Saturn is the best object in a small telescope. It doesn't get high in the sky during the early evening until later in the spring, but it won't be too bad in the east.  Jupiter and it's moons are in the morning sky. But late next fall it'll be your best object.</p><p>You will have a devil of a time with deep-sky objects. Because the pictures that even amateurs can get with CCD cameras are so good, the naked eye can't compete. They will either not see them or be disappointed.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Sorry I saw this so late.Over 30 years ago I taught Astronomy to college freshmen .
Thought I did a decent enough job , but if I had to do it over again...First of all , please make sure that the students actually know the basics .
My gut says most wo n't know that which way is North or South , or that the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west.Have them watch the Moon enough to know that it moves nightly to the east , relative to the stars , and have them watch the stars enough to know that they move to the west nightly , relative to the Sun .
These in and of themselves are not a trivial observations.Have them locate planets .
Mars is well placed in the evening sky .
Have them learn to read a star chart to see the bright object that is n't shown .
That implies they can indeed identify more that " the big dipper " .The Pleiades are high in the sky now .
It starts a great lesson in star clusters and stellar nurseries.The pretty stuff - M42 in Orion ( for the early evening now ) and M13 in Herc .
later in the year are classics , and a good place to start.Later in the spring , Venus is a great naked eye object , and little improved by a telescope .
But at least you can show them it 's a crescent .
Mercury is something to look for mid-April in the evening sky .
It 's not improved at all with a telescope ! Saturn is the best object in a small telescope .
It does n't get high in the sky during the early evening until later in the spring , but it wo n't be too bad in the east .
Jupiter and it 's moons are in the morning sky .
But late next fall it 'll be your best object.You will have a devil of a time with deep-sky objects .
Because the pictures that even amateurs can get with CCD cameras are so good , the naked eye ca n't compete .
They will either not see them or be disappointed .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Sorry I saw this so late.Over 30 years ago I taught Astronomy to college freshmen.
Thought I did a decent enough job, but if I had to do it over again...First of all, please make sure that the students actually know the basics.
My gut says most won't know that which way is North or South, or that the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west.Have them watch the Moon enough to know that it moves nightly to the east, relative to the stars, and have them watch the stars enough to know that they move to the west nightly, relative to the Sun.
These in and of themselves are not a trivial observations.Have them locate planets.
Mars is well placed in the evening sky.
Have them learn to read a star chart to see the bright object that isn't shown.
That implies they can indeed identify more that "the big dipper".The Pleiades are high in the sky now.
It starts a great lesson in star clusters and stellar nurseries.The pretty stuff - M42 in Orion (for the early evening now) and M13 in Herc.
later in the year are classics, and a good place to start.Later in the spring, Venus is a great naked eye object, and little improved by a telescope.
But at least you can show them it's a crescent.
Mercury is something to look for mid-April in the evening sky.
It's not improved at all with a telescope!Saturn is the best object in a small telescope.
It doesn't get high in the sky during the early evening until later in the spring, but it won't be too bad in the east.
Jupiter and it's moons are in the morning sky.
But late next fall it'll be your best object.You will have a devil of a time with deep-sky objects.
Because the pictures that even amateurs can get with CCD cameras are so good, the naked eye can't compete.
They will either not see them or be disappointed.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090694</id>
	<title>Solar System Objects</title>
	<author>Blackdognight</author>
	<datestamp>1265018760000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>In a four inch scope the planets are a good option. Jupiter and its satellites are always fun to look at and you should easily be able to see cloud bands on the planet's surface. If you're lucky you can likely even see the shadows of the moons cross the surface of the planet. Saturn is a must if at all possible. Unfortunately in the spring Orion may not be visible in the evenings so that rules out the Orion nebula (the only naked-eye nebula for the Northern hemisphere - not sure if there's anything down South). The Andromeda galaxy might be a good representative of a galactic object although there won't be much detail in a scope that size. I recommend checking out skyandtelescope.com and doing a search for local amateur astronomy groups in your area. You will likely find a local group that is willing to donate their time to present to your students and make their instruments available for an evening or more. They likely have 'scopes that far outstrip the four inch scope you already have access too which will give access to a whole range of diffuse and distant objects like galaxies and nebula.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>In a four inch scope the planets are a good option .
Jupiter and its satellites are always fun to look at and you should easily be able to see cloud bands on the planet 's surface .
If you 're lucky you can likely even see the shadows of the moons cross the surface of the planet .
Saturn is a must if at all possible .
Unfortunately in the spring Orion may not be visible in the evenings so that rules out the Orion nebula ( the only naked-eye nebula for the Northern hemisphere - not sure if there 's anything down South ) .
The Andromeda galaxy might be a good representative of a galactic object although there wo n't be much detail in a scope that size .
I recommend checking out skyandtelescope.com and doing a search for local amateur astronomy groups in your area .
You will likely find a local group that is willing to donate their time to present to your students and make their instruments available for an evening or more .
They likely have 'scopes that far outstrip the four inch scope you already have access too which will give access to a whole range of diffuse and distant objects like galaxies and nebula .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>In a four inch scope the planets are a good option.
Jupiter and its satellites are always fun to look at and you should easily be able to see cloud bands on the planet's surface.
If you're lucky you can likely even see the shadows of the moons cross the surface of the planet.
Saturn is a must if at all possible.
Unfortunately in the spring Orion may not be visible in the evenings so that rules out the Orion nebula (the only naked-eye nebula for the Northern hemisphere - not sure if there's anything down South).
The Andromeda galaxy might be a good representative of a galactic object although there won't be much detail in a scope that size.
I recommend checking out skyandtelescope.com and doing a search for local amateur astronomy groups in your area.
You will likely find a local group that is willing to donate their time to present to your students and make their instruments available for an evening or more.
They likely have 'scopes that far outstrip the four inch scope you already have access too which will give access to a whole range of diffuse and distant objects like galaxies and nebula.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091884</id>
	<title>How about making it into a small math exercise?</title>
	<author>xclay</author>
	<datestamp>1265023380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Better yet, you could make them calculate the orbital plane of all celestial bodies. Just give them 6 orbital variables (aka elements/parameters), and let them have fun. And add to this, an old DOS machine, and a GW-BASIC interpreter, and simple equations for plotting 3D on computer screen, and they will have a blast.  Hint: start with 10 RANDOMIZE TIMER:SCREEN 1 -- that will give you 320x200 screen, plenty to plot the whole solar system!</htmltext>
<tokenext>Better yet , you could make them calculate the orbital plane of all celestial bodies .
Just give them 6 orbital variables ( aka elements/parameters ) , and let them have fun .
And add to this , an old DOS machine , and a GW-BASIC interpreter , and simple equations for plotting 3D on computer screen , and they will have a blast .
Hint : start with 10 RANDOMIZE TIMER : SCREEN 1 -- that will give you 320x200 screen , plenty to plot the whole solar system !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Better yet, you could make them calculate the orbital plane of all celestial bodies.
Just give them 6 orbital variables (aka elements/parameters), and let them have fun.
And add to this, an old DOS machine, and a GW-BASIC interpreter, and simple equations for plotting 3D on computer screen, and they will have a blast.
Hint: start with 10 RANDOMIZE TIMER:SCREEN 1 -- that will give you 320x200 screen, plenty to plot the whole solar system!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091792</id>
	<title>What objects to focus on for school astronomy?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265023020000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There's a couple items that need to be known to advise properly.  where are you?  if your in the Northern part of the U.S. then you nights start sooner that those of us in the Southern section.  (i'm in Arizona)  you'll want to consider starting observing well after dusk.  also, you mention you are in a rural area.  that should help; i am assuming you are not near, or in, a large city.  clear, dark skies are always the best, particularly for smaller telescopes.  I'm looking at the 2009 Skygazer's Almanac.  It's published early each year by Sky and Telescope magazine; i'm unsure which specific month it comes out.</p><p>Saturn will be prominent March thru April.  It will be among the brightest objects in the sky.  Jupiter will be viewable during the fall, so is Neptune and Uranus but they are tough to verify in a 4" even in the best of skies.  Mars is receding from it's closest appraoch to Earth this month, so it may show well in a 4" but may not be in the Sky during the evening hours.  The Orion nebula will be South to Southwest during the earlier part of the evening (meaning it may be too low in the West later); it's the most viewable of the nebula objects and, again, if the moon is small and sky clear it should still make a good impression on young students.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There 's a couple items that need to be known to advise properly .
where are you ?
if your in the Northern part of the U.S. then you nights start sooner that those of us in the Southern section .
( i 'm in Arizona ) you 'll want to consider starting observing well after dusk .
also , you mention you are in a rural area .
that should help ; i am assuming you are not near , or in , a large city .
clear , dark skies are always the best , particularly for smaller telescopes .
I 'm looking at the 2009 Skygazer 's Almanac .
It 's published early each year by Sky and Telescope magazine ; i 'm unsure which specific month it comes out.Saturn will be prominent March thru April .
It will be among the brightest objects in the sky .
Jupiter will be viewable during the fall , so is Neptune and Uranus but they are tough to verify in a 4 " even in the best of skies .
Mars is receding from it 's closest appraoch to Earth this month , so it may show well in a 4 " but may not be in the Sky during the evening hours .
The Orion nebula will be South to Southwest during the earlier part of the evening ( meaning it may be too low in the West later ) ; it 's the most viewable of the nebula objects and , again , if the moon is small and sky clear it should still make a good impression on young students .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There's a couple items that need to be known to advise properly.
where are you?
if your in the Northern part of the U.S. then you nights start sooner that those of us in the Southern section.
(i'm in Arizona)  you'll want to consider starting observing well after dusk.
also, you mention you are in a rural area.
that should help; i am assuming you are not near, or in, a large city.
clear, dark skies are always the best, particularly for smaller telescopes.
I'm looking at the 2009 Skygazer's Almanac.
It's published early each year by Sky and Telescope magazine; i'm unsure which specific month it comes out.Saturn will be prominent March thru April.
It will be among the brightest objects in the sky.
Jupiter will be viewable during the fall, so is Neptune and Uranus but they are tough to verify in a 4" even in the best of skies.
Mars is receding from it's closest appraoch to Earth this month, so it may show well in a 4" but may not be in the Sky during the evening hours.
The Orion nebula will be South to Southwest during the earlier part of the evening (meaning it may be too low in the West later); it's the most viewable of the nebula objects and, again, if the moon is small and sky clear it should still make a good impression on young students.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091578</id>
	<title>Start with software</title>
	<author>i.r.id10t</author>
	<datestamp>1265022240000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Start with some of the Free software - stellarium and such.  That way you can work in the classroom, in the day time, and since it is Free they can take it home as well.</p><p>As for what to view at night, well, the sky is hte limit.  Use the software to help ID what you are seeing, use the software to find things that would be cool to see (Orions Nebula, Mars, Jupiter, etc.)</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Start with some of the Free software - stellarium and such .
That way you can work in the classroom , in the day time , and since it is Free they can take it home as well.As for what to view at night , well , the sky is hte limit .
Use the software to help ID what you are seeing , use the software to find things that would be cool to see ( Orions Nebula , Mars , Jupiter , etc .
)</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Start with some of the Free software - stellarium and such.
That way you can work in the classroom, in the day time, and since it is Free they can take it home as well.As for what to view at night, well, the sky is hte limit.
Use the software to help ID what you are seeing, use the software to find things that would be cool to see (Orions Nebula, Mars, Jupiter, etc.
)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31099966</id>
	<title>A few things I use</title>
	<author>westtxfun</author>
	<datestamp>1265905680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>There are so many ways to go.  I work with an astronomy foundation www.3rf.org that teaches science teachers how to teach astronomy.  We have some basic lesson plans there.  If you'd like, contact the office folks for more assistance.

I help local teachers with public star parties.  You didn't say if your scope was computerized or not and that makes a big difference in what you can find.  Even if it is computerized, I'd stick to big, bright objects at first.  Students can be turned off by "dim fuzzies" even if they are special items.

Of course, the Sun (with a proper filter) and Moon are very easy to find.  You can use the Sun to teach some basic physics by tracing the atomic reactions.  You could use the Moon to teach basic geology and talk about asteroid impacts.

Jupiter and Saturn are also great objects that are easy to find.  Saturn is currently "edge-on", so it's hard to see the rings, but it's still a great object.  You can use Jupiter to talk about weather (Red spots &amp; transient storms), orbits (watch the changing position of the moons over time) and history (Galileo showing the moons changed positions proved the heavens were not static).

You could look at Andromeda galaxy to talk about the vast distances in space and to approximate what our galaxy looks like.  The Seven Sisters are a glorious open cluster that's easy to find.

There are many resources you can use to aid your efforts and many before me have listed the best sites.

Good luck in your efforts!</htmltext>
<tokenext>There are so many ways to go .
I work with an astronomy foundation www.3rf.org that teaches science teachers how to teach astronomy .
We have some basic lesson plans there .
If you 'd like , contact the office folks for more assistance .
I help local teachers with public star parties .
You did n't say if your scope was computerized or not and that makes a big difference in what you can find .
Even if it is computerized , I 'd stick to big , bright objects at first .
Students can be turned off by " dim fuzzies " even if they are special items .
Of course , the Sun ( with a proper filter ) and Moon are very easy to find .
You can use the Sun to teach some basic physics by tracing the atomic reactions .
You could use the Moon to teach basic geology and talk about asteroid impacts .
Jupiter and Saturn are also great objects that are easy to find .
Saturn is currently " edge-on " , so it 's hard to see the rings , but it 's still a great object .
You can use Jupiter to talk about weather ( Red spots &amp; transient storms ) , orbits ( watch the changing position of the moons over time ) and history ( Galileo showing the moons changed positions proved the heavens were not static ) .
You could look at Andromeda galaxy to talk about the vast distances in space and to approximate what our galaxy looks like .
The Seven Sisters are a glorious open cluster that 's easy to find .
There are many resources you can use to aid your efforts and many before me have listed the best sites .
Good luck in your efforts !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There are so many ways to go.
I work with an astronomy foundation www.3rf.org that teaches science teachers how to teach astronomy.
We have some basic lesson plans there.
If you'd like, contact the office folks for more assistance.
I help local teachers with public star parties.
You didn't say if your scope was computerized or not and that makes a big difference in what you can find.
Even if it is computerized, I'd stick to big, bright objects at first.
Students can be turned off by "dim fuzzies" even if they are special items.
Of course, the Sun (with a proper filter) and Moon are very easy to find.
You can use the Sun to teach some basic physics by tracing the atomic reactions.
You could use the Moon to teach basic geology and talk about asteroid impacts.
Jupiter and Saturn are also great objects that are easy to find.
Saturn is currently "edge-on", so it's hard to see the rings, but it's still a great object.
You can use Jupiter to talk about weather (Red spots &amp; transient storms), orbits (watch the changing position of the moons over time) and history (Galileo showing the moons changed positions proved the heavens were not static).
You could look at Andromeda galaxy to talk about the vast distances in space and to approximate what our galaxy looks like.
The Seven Sisters are a glorious open cluster that's easy to find.
There are many resources you can use to aid your efforts and many before me have listed the best sites.
Good luck in your efforts!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092022</id>
	<title>Call up your local astronomy group</title>
	<author>Hadlock</author>
	<datestamp>1265023980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I bet they'd be happy to take an afternoon off and teach some kids about their hobby. They could probably bring along some more serious equipment, be more interesting, and keep their attention far longer than you'll be able to on the subject.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I bet they 'd be happy to take an afternoon off and teach some kids about their hobby .
They could probably bring along some more serious equipment , be more interesting , and keep their attention far longer than you 'll be able to on the subject .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I bet they'd be happy to take an afternoon off and teach some kids about their hobby.
They could probably bring along some more serious equipment, be more interesting, and keep their attention far longer than you'll be able to on the subject.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31096746</id>
	<title>It depends where you're viewing</title>
	<author>benchbri</author>
	<datestamp>1265919840000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>If possible, take your kids out to a dark sky site. Some place where the megawatts from empty parking lots are blocked. If you have never been under a pitch-black sky, it is mind-blowing.</p><p>You could start the unit by showing them the constellations in class. Show them the big dipper, and how it points to Polaris. When you get out in the field, ask them to count the stars in the big dipper. Show them that the middle star of the handle is actually two stars, and that native americans used to test the eyesight of potential trackers that way - if they saw two stars, they had eagle vision.</p><p>I wouldn't use the telescope at all. One thing that would blow their minds is building a simple radio telescope antenna to listen to lightning on Jupiter. Just a piece of wire, basically. In class (or whenever jupiter is below the horizon), hook up the wires and amps to a speaker. Record that. When jupiter is visible, do the same thing and play back the recording. the difference is lighting on jupiter.</p><p>If you're doing this in spring, you could work in the equinox.</p><p>With astronomy, there is SO MUCH you can do, and any treatment for 9th graders will be insufficient. Just try your best. I'd probably pull a chapter from the movie Contact. "See that bright star there. That's a planet. That's another world. Because it's so bright, people long ago thought it was so beautiful. Now we know it's 900 degrees, has an atmospheric pressure equal to 1000 feet below the ocean, and rains sulfuric acid there." Maybe not the last part.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>If possible , take your kids out to a dark sky site .
Some place where the megawatts from empty parking lots are blocked .
If you have never been under a pitch-black sky , it is mind-blowing.You could start the unit by showing them the constellations in class .
Show them the big dipper , and how it points to Polaris .
When you get out in the field , ask them to count the stars in the big dipper .
Show them that the middle star of the handle is actually two stars , and that native americans used to test the eyesight of potential trackers that way - if they saw two stars , they had eagle vision.I would n't use the telescope at all .
One thing that would blow their minds is building a simple radio telescope antenna to listen to lightning on Jupiter .
Just a piece of wire , basically .
In class ( or whenever jupiter is below the horizon ) , hook up the wires and amps to a speaker .
Record that .
When jupiter is visible , do the same thing and play back the recording .
the difference is lighting on jupiter.If you 're doing this in spring , you could work in the equinox.With astronomy , there is SO MUCH you can do , and any treatment for 9th graders will be insufficient .
Just try your best .
I 'd probably pull a chapter from the movie Contact .
" See that bright star there .
That 's a planet .
That 's another world .
Because it 's so bright , people long ago thought it was so beautiful .
Now we know it 's 900 degrees , has an atmospheric pressure equal to 1000 feet below the ocean , and rains sulfuric acid there .
" Maybe not the last part .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>If possible, take your kids out to a dark sky site.
Some place where the megawatts from empty parking lots are blocked.
If you have never been under a pitch-black sky, it is mind-blowing.You could start the unit by showing them the constellations in class.
Show them the big dipper, and how it points to Polaris.
When you get out in the field, ask them to count the stars in the big dipper.
Show them that the middle star of the handle is actually two stars, and that native americans used to test the eyesight of potential trackers that way - if they saw two stars, they had eagle vision.I wouldn't use the telescope at all.
One thing that would blow their minds is building a simple radio telescope antenna to listen to lightning on Jupiter.
Just a piece of wire, basically.
In class (or whenever jupiter is below the horizon), hook up the wires and amps to a speaker.
Record that.
When jupiter is visible, do the same thing and play back the recording.
the difference is lighting on jupiter.If you're doing this in spring, you could work in the equinox.With astronomy, there is SO MUCH you can do, and any treatment for 9th graders will be insufficient.
Just try your best.
I'd probably pull a chapter from the movie Contact.
"See that bright star there.
That's a planet.
That's another world.
Because it's so bright, people long ago thought it was so beautiful.
Now we know it's 900 degrees, has an atmospheric pressure equal to 1000 feet below the ocean, and rains sulfuric acid there.
" Maybe not the last part.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091062</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>pluther</author>
	<datestamp>1265020320000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>4</modscore>
	<htmltext>You say it as a joke, but it's quite possible to view the sun with a standard "backyard" telescope.<p>
Do NOT look directly at the sun through the telescope, of course. Instead, you use the telescope as a projector.</p><p>
It takes a minute or two to aim: the trick is to use the shadow from the telescope to aim. When the shadow is smallest, you're pointing the right way.)</p><p>
There are lots of web sites describing how to do it, such as <a href="http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/05/stars2.html" title="astrosociety.org">this one.</a> [astrosociety.org]  (I've never used the extra collar like they describe, but it probably wouldn't hurt.)</p><p>
It also has the advantage that it's something a small group of people can enjoy at once.</p><p>
At night, if it's reasonably dark at all, I'd recommend the moon (always easy to see. Use a moon filter, which probably came with your telescope).</p><p>
Also, you should be able to see the Orion Nebula as a wide fuzzy patch.  I've seen the banding of Jupiter, as well as its moons, in my 3.5" telescope, though I wasn't able to find the Red Spot, and the rings of Saturn.</p><p>
Definitely get a software star chart (there are free ones available online) and a red filter for your flashlight so you don't lose night vision. It makes a surprisingly large difference.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>You say it as a joke , but it 's quite possible to view the sun with a standard " backyard " telescope .
Do NOT look directly at the sun through the telescope , of course .
Instead , you use the telescope as a projector .
It takes a minute or two to aim : the trick is to use the shadow from the telescope to aim .
When the shadow is smallest , you 're pointing the right way .
) There are lots of web sites describing how to do it , such as this one .
[ astrosociety.org ] ( I 've never used the extra collar like they describe , but it probably would n't hurt .
) It also has the advantage that it 's something a small group of people can enjoy at once .
At night , if it 's reasonably dark at all , I 'd recommend the moon ( always easy to see .
Use a moon filter , which probably came with your telescope ) .
Also , you should be able to see the Orion Nebula as a wide fuzzy patch .
I 've seen the banding of Jupiter , as well as its moons , in my 3.5 " telescope , though I was n't able to find the Red Spot , and the rings of Saturn .
Definitely get a software star chart ( there are free ones available online ) and a red filter for your flashlight so you do n't lose night vision .
It makes a surprisingly large difference .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>You say it as a joke, but it's quite possible to view the sun with a standard "backyard" telescope.
Do NOT look directly at the sun through the telescope, of course.
Instead, you use the telescope as a projector.
It takes a minute or two to aim: the trick is to use the shadow from the telescope to aim.
When the shadow is smallest, you're pointing the right way.
)
There are lots of web sites describing how to do it, such as this one.
[astrosociety.org]  (I've never used the extra collar like they describe, but it probably wouldn't hurt.
)
It also has the advantage that it's something a small group of people can enjoy at once.
At night, if it's reasonably dark at all, I'd recommend the moon (always easy to see.
Use a moon filter, which probably came with your telescope).
Also, you should be able to see the Orion Nebula as a wide fuzzy patch.
I've seen the banding of Jupiter, as well as its moons, in my 3.5" telescope, though I wasn't able to find the Red Spot, and the rings of Saturn.
Definitely get a software star chart (there are free ones available online) and a red filter for your flashlight so you don't lose night vision.
It makes a surprisingly large difference.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090720</id>
	<title>In order</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265018880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>1. The Moon (As easy as it gets)<br>2. Venus (Very easy to find)<br>3. Saturn (Fairly easy)<br>4. Jupiter (Moderate)<br>5. Mars (Sometimes)</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>1 .
The Moon ( As easy as it gets ) 2 .
Venus ( Very easy to find ) 3 .
Saturn ( Fairly easy ) 4 .
Jupiter ( Moderate ) 5 .
Mars ( Sometimes )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>1.
The Moon (As easy as it gets)2.
Venus (Very easy to find)3.
Saturn (Fairly easy)4.
Jupiter (Moderate)5.
Mars (Sometimes)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31094146</id>
	<title>Re:Don't bother</title>
	<author>treeves</author>
	<datestamp>1265035020000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Hard day at work today?</htmltext>
<tokenext>Hard day at work today ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Hard day at work today?</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090732</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091132</id>
	<title>Lots-O-Ha-Ha here</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265020620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>How about a paypal account for the purpose of the OP buying a new 8" reflector? Then we'll see how much the Slashdot joke meisters promote Science.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>How about a paypal account for the purpose of the OP buying a new 8 " reflector ?
Then we 'll see how much the Slashdot joke meisters promote Science .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>How about a paypal account for the purpose of the OP buying a new 8" reflector?
Then we'll see how much the Slashdot joke meisters promote Science.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090748</id>
	<title>Some Suggestions...</title>
	<author>Astronomerguy</author>
	<datestamp>1265019000000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>4</modscore>
	<htmltext>The moon, particularly when it's NOT full, as there is more detail to see when it's not full. Someone mentioned Jupiter and it's moons. Observe them over several nights, have your students sketch what they see, discuss why the moons are in different positions each night/hour. Get a copy of "Skyways" from the Royal AStronomical Society of Canada - it's a resource for teachers (http://www.rasc.ca/publications/index.shtml).

The Pleiades star cluster is always beautiful. Saturn will be high in the south east and is always nice even in a small telescope. Mars will be high in Cancer next to the Bee-hive cluster. Both are wonderful small-scope objects and will be very close together. The three bright galaxies in Leo, "The Leo Triplet" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo\_Triplet) will all fit in a field of view nicely.

Good luck!</htmltext>
<tokenext>The moon , particularly when it 's NOT full , as there is more detail to see when it 's not full .
Someone mentioned Jupiter and it 's moons .
Observe them over several nights , have your students sketch what they see , discuss why the moons are in different positions each night/hour .
Get a copy of " Skyways " from the Royal AStronomical Society of Canada - it 's a resource for teachers ( http : //www.rasc.ca/publications/index.shtml ) .
The Pleiades star cluster is always beautiful .
Saturn will be high in the south east and is always nice even in a small telescope .
Mars will be high in Cancer next to the Bee-hive cluster .
Both are wonderful small-scope objects and will be very close together .
The three bright galaxies in Leo , " The Leo Triplet " ( http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo \ _Triplet ) will all fit in a field of view nicely .
Good luck !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The moon, particularly when it's NOT full, as there is more detail to see when it's not full.
Someone mentioned Jupiter and it's moons.
Observe them over several nights, have your students sketch what they see, discuss why the moons are in different positions each night/hour.
Get a copy of "Skyways" from the Royal AStronomical Society of Canada - it's a resource for teachers (http://www.rasc.ca/publications/index.shtml).
The Pleiades star cluster is always beautiful.
Saturn will be high in the south east and is always nice even in a small telescope.
Mars will be high in Cancer next to the Bee-hive cluster.
Both are wonderful small-scope objects and will be very close together.
The three bright galaxies in Leo, "The Leo Triplet" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo\_Triplet) will all fit in a field of view nicely.
Good luck!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090814</id>
	<title>Choose familiar stars.</title>
	<author>140Mandak262Jamuna</author>
	<datestamp>1265019300000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Always start off with stars the students will recognize immediately. Rajnikant, Kamalahasan, Shivaji, MGR, Saroja Devi, T R Rajakumari, T K Thyagarajabhagavadhar, N S Krishnan<nobr> <wbr></nobr>...</htmltext>
<tokenext>Always start off with stars the students will recognize immediately .
Rajnikant , Kamalahasan , Shivaji , MGR , Saroja Devi , T R Rajakumari , T K Thyagarajabhagavadhar , N S Krishnan .. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Always start off with stars the students will recognize immediately.
Rajnikant, Kamalahasan, Shivaji, MGR, Saroja Devi, T R Rajakumari, T K Thyagarajabhagavadhar, N S Krishnan ...</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090668</id>
	<title>Some of these</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265018640000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>The moon<br>The Orion nebula<br>The Andromeda galaxy<br>Saturn<br>Jupiter<br>find mars<br>Identify well known constellations<br>Satellites<br>Meteor showers<br>The international space station<br>Some globular clusters<br>make it a fun social event for other reasons</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>The moonThe Orion nebulaThe Andromeda galaxySaturnJupiterfind marsIdentify well known constellationsSatellitesMeteor showersThe international space stationSome globular clustersmake it a fun social event for other reasons</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The moonThe Orion nebulaThe Andromeda galaxySaturnJupiterfind marsIdentify well known constellationsSatellitesMeteor showersThe international space stationSome globular clustersmake it a fun social event for other reasons</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091156</id>
	<title>The Moon, then Jupiter</title>
	<author>pz</author>
	<datestamp>1265020680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I had looked at the moon forever with the naked eye, and a few times through a couple of lenses, including a backyard telescope.  Then, because there was going to be an occultation, I had a chance to look at Jupiter through a pair of binocs.  I was blown away that something that close had that much structure -- you could see just scads of moons!</p><p>To instil a sense of Science, give the kids tools that they can use well beyond your classes.  To this day, when I see Orion in the night sky, he seems like an old friend.  When I see Mars waxing and waning, it helps me keep track of time through its two year cycle.  Have them look at impressive things, but make sure you give them the tools to find the same objects with their naked eyes.  Unless these kids become astronomers, they'll spend at most a few hours behind glass, but will have the rest of their lives to look up at the night sky with their eyes.</p><p>One of the coolest things I've learned as a closet amateur astronomer is that the dark side of the moon is illuminated by backwash from the earth, or earthshine.  OK, that makes sense if you think about it.  But this fact was known almost 100 years ago, and we have a nearly complete record of the brightness of the dark side of the moon since then.  That record is important because earthshine is directly related to the amount of terrestrial cloud cover, and that is related to climate.  I wish I had known that as a kid, because I'd often wondered why you could see the dark side of the moon better (brighter) on some nights than on others.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I had looked at the moon forever with the naked eye , and a few times through a couple of lenses , including a backyard telescope .
Then , because there was going to be an occultation , I had a chance to look at Jupiter through a pair of binocs .
I was blown away that something that close had that much structure -- you could see just scads of moons ! To instil a sense of Science , give the kids tools that they can use well beyond your classes .
To this day , when I see Orion in the night sky , he seems like an old friend .
When I see Mars waxing and waning , it helps me keep track of time through its two year cycle .
Have them look at impressive things , but make sure you give them the tools to find the same objects with their naked eyes .
Unless these kids become astronomers , they 'll spend at most a few hours behind glass , but will have the rest of their lives to look up at the night sky with their eyes.One of the coolest things I 've learned as a closet amateur astronomer is that the dark side of the moon is illuminated by backwash from the earth , or earthshine .
OK , that makes sense if you think about it .
But this fact was known almost 100 years ago , and we have a nearly complete record of the brightness of the dark side of the moon since then .
That record is important because earthshine is directly related to the amount of terrestrial cloud cover , and that is related to climate .
I wish I had known that as a kid , because I 'd often wondered why you could see the dark side of the moon better ( brighter ) on some nights than on others .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I had looked at the moon forever with the naked eye, and a few times through a couple of lenses, including a backyard telescope.
Then, because there was going to be an occultation, I had a chance to look at Jupiter through a pair of binocs.
I was blown away that something that close had that much structure -- you could see just scads of moons!To instil a sense of Science, give the kids tools that they can use well beyond your classes.
To this day, when I see Orion in the night sky, he seems like an old friend.
When I see Mars waxing and waning, it helps me keep track of time through its two year cycle.
Have them look at impressive things, but make sure you give them the tools to find the same objects with their naked eyes.
Unless these kids become astronomers, they'll spend at most a few hours behind glass, but will have the rest of their lives to look up at the night sky with their eyes.One of the coolest things I've learned as a closet amateur astronomer is that the dark side of the moon is illuminated by backwash from the earth, or earthshine.
OK, that makes sense if you think about it.
But this fact was known almost 100 years ago, and we have a nearly complete record of the brightness of the dark side of the moon since then.
That record is important because earthshine is directly related to the amount of terrestrial cloud cover, and that is related to climate.
I wish I had known that as a kid, because I'd often wondered why you could see the dark side of the moon better (brighter) on some nights than on others.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31175046</id>
	<title>Just look up!</title>
	<author>stewardwildcat</author>
	<datestamp>1265015700000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I am a graduate student in astronomy and I am very active in astronomy education and outreach. There are a lot of things you can do with students with a very small set of tools. In addition to your telescope I would either bring or encourage students to bring:

1. Binoculars
2. Flashlight (red led OR take a regular flashlight and cover in several layers of red cellophane)
3. an open mind

If you then bring the Astronomical Almanac and a planisphere (star chart) you can find many of the great objects in the sky. Looking at bright stars that have different colors is a great way to start talking about what's in the sky. Betelgeuse and Rigel are great for this and they are up at the right time of night in the spring. Another great binary star is Alberio in Cygnus. It is a double star that is a K spectral type and a B spectral type (orange and blue in color). You can see them through binoculars so it should not be hard to point the telescope at it. Almost all of the Messier catalog objects should be visible with a 4-inch telescope even if they are not magnificent. This may be a way of talking to students about how a telescope works and why astronomers want better cameras and bigger mirrors. If you have students learning some of the objects in the night sky and able to point to them with and without a telescope I think you will be doing well.

<a href="http://www.heavens-above.com/" title="heavens-above.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.heavens-above.com/</a> [heavens-above.com] is a great website that will tell you about all fly overs of the space station, Hubble, and any iridium flashes. Some of these flashes are quite spectacular. While you cannot see these in the telescope they are fun. As for planets, no matter what telescope you use none of them are truly spectacular. As the aperture grows the amount of detail you "can" see will go up because you are collecting more light but the atmosphere will blur the images more as well. So it is a toss up at some level. I love looking at solar system objects just to see what I can see. The moon is fascinating and you can make good use of the night/day boundary to teach about mountains, shadows, and how Galileo proved the moon is a flawed object. But really my advice is to try it and look up with your students. Best of luck!</htmltext>
<tokenext>I am a graduate student in astronomy and I am very active in astronomy education and outreach .
There are a lot of things you can do with students with a very small set of tools .
In addition to your telescope I would either bring or encourage students to bring : 1 .
Binoculars 2 .
Flashlight ( red led OR take a regular flashlight and cover in several layers of red cellophane ) 3. an open mind If you then bring the Astronomical Almanac and a planisphere ( star chart ) you can find many of the great objects in the sky .
Looking at bright stars that have different colors is a great way to start talking about what 's in the sky .
Betelgeuse and Rigel are great for this and they are up at the right time of night in the spring .
Another great binary star is Alberio in Cygnus .
It is a double star that is a K spectral type and a B spectral type ( orange and blue in color ) .
You can see them through binoculars so it should not be hard to point the telescope at it .
Almost all of the Messier catalog objects should be visible with a 4-inch telescope even if they are not magnificent .
This may be a way of talking to students about how a telescope works and why astronomers want better cameras and bigger mirrors .
If you have students learning some of the objects in the night sky and able to point to them with and without a telescope I think you will be doing well .
http : //www.heavens-above.com/ [ heavens-above.com ] is a great website that will tell you about all fly overs of the space station , Hubble , and any iridium flashes .
Some of these flashes are quite spectacular .
While you can not see these in the telescope they are fun .
As for planets , no matter what telescope you use none of them are truly spectacular .
As the aperture grows the amount of detail you " can " see will go up because you are collecting more light but the atmosphere will blur the images more as well .
So it is a toss up at some level .
I love looking at solar system objects just to see what I can see .
The moon is fascinating and you can make good use of the night/day boundary to teach about mountains , shadows , and how Galileo proved the moon is a flawed object .
But really my advice is to try it and look up with your students .
Best of luck !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I am a graduate student in astronomy and I am very active in astronomy education and outreach.
There are a lot of things you can do with students with a very small set of tools.
In addition to your telescope I would either bring or encourage students to bring:

1.
Binoculars
2.
Flashlight (red led OR take a regular flashlight and cover in several layers of red cellophane)
3. an open mind

If you then bring the Astronomical Almanac and a planisphere (star chart) you can find many of the great objects in the sky.
Looking at bright stars that have different colors is a great way to start talking about what's in the sky.
Betelgeuse and Rigel are great for this and they are up at the right time of night in the spring.
Another great binary star is Alberio in Cygnus.
It is a double star that is a K spectral type and a B spectral type (orange and blue in color).
You can see them through binoculars so it should not be hard to point the telescope at it.
Almost all of the Messier catalog objects should be visible with a 4-inch telescope even if they are not magnificent.
This may be a way of talking to students about how a telescope works and why astronomers want better cameras and bigger mirrors.
If you have students learning some of the objects in the night sky and able to point to them with and without a telescope I think you will be doing well.
http://www.heavens-above.com/ [heavens-above.com] is a great website that will tell you about all fly overs of the space station, Hubble, and any iridium flashes.
Some of these flashes are quite spectacular.
While you cannot see these in the telescope they are fun.
As for planets, no matter what telescope you use none of them are truly spectacular.
As the aperture grows the amount of detail you "can" see will go up because you are collecting more light but the atmosphere will blur the images more as well.
So it is a toss up at some level.
I love looking at solar system objects just to see what I can see.
The moon is fascinating and you can make good use of the night/day boundary to teach about mountains, shadows, and how Galileo proved the moon is a flawed object.
But really my advice is to try it and look up with your students.
Best of luck!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31123636</id>
	<title>Start with your camera</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265989200000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I don't know if you can attach a camera to your 4", but if you could do any kind of photography with your class you have a really fun setup. I dare say, you might even be able to just point a camera at the andromeda galaxy or at orion and "stack" the images with software. Astronomy is really fun when you see things you didn't know where there. In my Comm. College Astr-1 class last semester, the things that I thought were the most interesting were:</p><p>1: heliocentric, copernicus, brahe, kepler &amp; newton<br>2: The sun, the life of stars and the H-R diagram<br>3: Nebulae and planetary systems formation</p><p>But seriously,practically speaking, you might try putting your camera on a tripod and taking 12, 300 second photos of orion and stacking them with IRIS</p><p>http://octane2.deviantart.com/art/The-Constellation-of-Orion-43415487</p><p>Starting with this photo, looking through the 4" will be much more interesting.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I do n't know if you can attach a camera to your 4 " , but if you could do any kind of photography with your class you have a really fun setup .
I dare say , you might even be able to just point a camera at the andromeda galaxy or at orion and " stack " the images with software .
Astronomy is really fun when you see things you did n't know where there .
In my Comm .
College Astr-1 class last semester , the things that I thought were the most interesting were : 1 : heliocentric , copernicus , brahe , kepler &amp; newton2 : The sun , the life of stars and the H-R diagram3 : Nebulae and planetary systems formationBut seriously,practically speaking , you might try putting your camera on a tripod and taking 12 , 300 second photos of orion and stacking them with IRIShttp : //octane2.deviantart.com/art/The-Constellation-of-Orion-43415487Starting with this photo , looking through the 4 " will be much more interesting .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I don't know if you can attach a camera to your 4", but if you could do any kind of photography with your class you have a really fun setup.
I dare say, you might even be able to just point a camera at the andromeda galaxy or at orion and "stack" the images with software.
Astronomy is really fun when you see things you didn't know where there.
In my Comm.
College Astr-1 class last semester, the things that I thought were the most interesting were:1: heliocentric, copernicus, brahe, kepler &amp; newton2: The sun, the life of stars and the H-R diagram3: Nebulae and planetary systems formationBut seriously,practically speaking, you might try putting your camera on a tripod and taking 12, 300 second photos of orion and stacking them with IRIShttp://octane2.deviantart.com/art/The-Constellation-of-Orion-43415487Starting with this photo, looking through the 4" will be much more interesting.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090768</id>
	<title>Moon, Saturn rings, Jupiter moons, Orion Nebula</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Pretty much the big four for that size telescope.</p><p>Also maybe sunspots, if you view it by looking at a piece of white paper held a few inches from the eyepiece and explain about not looking through it directly.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Pretty much the big four for that size telescope.Also maybe sunspots , if you view it by looking at a piece of white paper held a few inches from the eyepiece and explain about not looking through it directly .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Pretty much the big four for that size telescope.Also maybe sunspots, if you view it by looking at a piece of white paper held a few inches from the eyepiece and explain about not looking through it directly.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31095930</id>
	<title>Don't Worry</title>
	<author>DieByWire</author>
	<datestamp>1265047260000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Ninth graders? I'm sure they won't have any problems finding a heavenly body to point it at.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Ninth graders ?
I 'm sure they wo n't have any problems finding a heavenly body to point it at .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Ninth graders?
I'm sure they won't have any problems finding a heavenly body to point it at.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091084</id>
	<title>9th graders...</title>
	<author>Joucifer</author>
	<datestamp>1265020440000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>...any hot neighbors around?</htmltext>
<tokenext>...any hot neighbors around ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>...any hot neighbors around?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31102956</id>
	<title>What Objects To Focus On For School Astronomy?</title>
	<author>thickdiick</author>
	<datestamp>1265918640000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><b>   Ask Slashdot: What Objects To Focus On For School Astronomy? on Wednesday February 10, @08:52PM </b> <br>
Start with English grammar.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Ask Slashdot : What Objects To Focus On For School Astronomy ?
on Wednesday February 10 , @ 08 : 52PM Start with English grammar .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>   Ask Slashdot: What Objects To Focus On For School Astronomy?
on Wednesday February 10, @08:52PM  
Start with English grammar.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090676</id>
	<title>Moon first, then planets, then DSOs</title>
	<author>Zobeid</author>
	<datestamp>1265018700000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>A four-inch scope (like the classic Edmund Astroscan that I started with) can show good examples of all the major object types in the night sky.</p><p>The moon looks great in any kind of telescope.  Get a moon filter and expect to spend some time on it.</p><p>If the scope and eyepiece are decent, the rings of Saturn and the Galilean moons of Jupiter should be easy targets, and cloud bands on Jupiter just about visible, though you won't see much detail.  Likewise Mars. . .  Easy to see the planet, but no details.  Phases of Venus should be easy.  Mercury is dependent on good timing and can be hard to spot.  Uranus is another tricky object to find in a scope, since it only looks like a faint star until you get the scope right on it.</p><p>When you get into "deep sky objects" like galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters. . .  All these can be seen in a 4-inch scope, but you'll have to pick the biggest and brightest examples of them.  You'll also have to explain that they're going to see a faint fuzzy splotch when they peer through the lens, not fireworks or something out of Hubble.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>A four-inch scope ( like the classic Edmund Astroscan that I started with ) can show good examples of all the major object types in the night sky.The moon looks great in any kind of telescope .
Get a moon filter and expect to spend some time on it.If the scope and eyepiece are decent , the rings of Saturn and the Galilean moons of Jupiter should be easy targets , and cloud bands on Jupiter just about visible , though you wo n't see much detail .
Likewise Mars .
. .
Easy to see the planet , but no details .
Phases of Venus should be easy .
Mercury is dependent on good timing and can be hard to spot .
Uranus is another tricky object to find in a scope , since it only looks like a faint star until you get the scope right on it.When you get into " deep sky objects " like galaxies , nebulas , and star clusters .
. .
All these can be seen in a 4-inch scope , but you 'll have to pick the biggest and brightest examples of them .
You 'll also have to explain that they 're going to see a faint fuzzy splotch when they peer through the lens , not fireworks or something out of Hubble .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>A four-inch scope (like the classic Edmund Astroscan that I started with) can show good examples of all the major object types in the night sky.The moon looks great in any kind of telescope.
Get a moon filter and expect to spend some time on it.If the scope and eyepiece are decent, the rings of Saturn and the Galilean moons of Jupiter should be easy targets, and cloud bands on Jupiter just about visible, though you won't see much detail.
Likewise Mars.
. .
Easy to see the planet, but no details.
Phases of Venus should be easy.
Mercury is dependent on good timing and can be hard to spot.
Uranus is another tricky object to find in a scope, since it only looks like a faint star until you get the scope right on it.When you get into "deep sky objects" like galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters.
. .
All these can be seen in a 4-inch scope, but you'll have to pick the biggest and brightest examples of them.
You'll also have to explain that they're going to see a faint fuzzy splotch when they peer through the lens, not fireworks or something out of Hubble.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091910</id>
	<title>They're 9th Graders, right? This will be funny.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265023500000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext>Have them look at <a href="http://www.goat.cx/" title="www.goat.cx" rel="nofollow">Uranus</a> [www.goat.cx]</htmltext>
<tokenext>Have them look at Uranus [ www.goat.cx ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Have them look at Uranus [www.goat.cx]</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091774</id>
	<title>seconded (or thirded, or whatever) for Pleiades</title>
	<author>Tumbleweed</author>
	<datestamp>1265022960000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades\_(star\_cluster)" title="wikipedia.org">Pleiades</a> [wikipedia.org] - the 'Seven Sisters', is one of the most beautiful of astronomical sights, at least to me. It also covers a large part of the sky, so should be easy to find and certainly doesn't require a bit scope to see well.</p><p>You might also see if there are any visible comets going by at the time you do this; that would be fun.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Pleiades [ wikipedia.org ] - the 'Seven Sisters ' , is one of the most beautiful of astronomical sights , at least to me .
It also covers a large part of the sky , so should be easy to find and certainly does n't require a bit scope to see well.You might also see if there are any visible comets going by at the time you do this ; that would be fun .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Pleiades [wikipedia.org] - the 'Seven Sisters', is one of the most beautiful of astronomical sights, at least to me.
It also covers a large part of the sky, so should be easy to find and certainly doesn't require a bit scope to see well.You might also see if there are any visible comets going by at the time you do this; that would be fun.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31100706</id>
	<title>Andromeda galaxy  and  Free software</title>
	<author>MeSat</author>
	<datestamp>1265908980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I volunteer at the local observatory and on open houses we will look at the moon, visible planets, Andromeda galaxy and different colored stars.  These are things that can be seen in a small telescope.<br> <br>

Get outside and practice to make sure you can see these before taking a class.<br> <br>

Check for a local observatory and see about getting a tour.  Ours will do tours to schools for a donation.<br> <br>

There is free astronomy software available on the net.<br>

Stellarium  - <a href="http://www.stellarium.org/" title="stellarium.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.stellarium.org/</a> [stellarium.org] <br> <br>

Get it for your students.  They will enjoy it.</htmltext>
<tokenext>I volunteer at the local observatory and on open houses we will look at the moon , visible planets , Andromeda galaxy and different colored stars .
These are things that can be seen in a small telescope .
Get outside and practice to make sure you can see these before taking a class .
Check for a local observatory and see about getting a tour .
Ours will do tours to schools for a donation .
There is free astronomy software available on the net .
Stellarium - http : //www.stellarium.org/ [ stellarium.org ] Get it for your students .
They will enjoy it .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I volunteer at the local observatory and on open houses we will look at the moon, visible planets, Andromeda galaxy and different colored stars.
These are things that can be seen in a small telescope.
Get outside and practice to make sure you can see these before taking a class.
Check for a local observatory and see about getting a tour.
Ours will do tours to schools for a donation.
There is free astronomy software available on the net.
Stellarium  - http://www.stellarium.org/ [stellarium.org]  

Get it for your students.
They will enjoy it.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090948</id>
	<title>How about the planetarium?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019840000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Not to be snarky, but most colleges teaching Astronomy should be willing to arrange a field trip for your class to coincide with one of their labs.</p><p>Disadvantage is its at night.</p><p>Advantage is anyone signing up for a voluntary field trip would be interested in the subject</p><p>Alternately, maybe your area has a planetarium?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Not to be snarky , but most colleges teaching Astronomy should be willing to arrange a field trip for your class to coincide with one of their labs.Disadvantage is its at night.Advantage is anyone signing up for a voluntary field trip would be interested in the subjectAlternately , maybe your area has a planetarium ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Not to be snarky, but most colleges teaching Astronomy should be willing to arrange a field trip for your class to coincide with one of their labs.Disadvantage is its at night.Advantage is anyone signing up for a voluntary field trip would be interested in the subjectAlternately, maybe your area has a planetarium?</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091094</id>
	<title>Jupiter and Saturn</title>
	<author>coaxial</author>
	<datestamp>1265020500000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Jupiter and Saturn are very bright and can easily be located.  Both feature things that are instantly recognizable, but invisible with the naked eye.  The Gallelian Moons for Jupiter, and the rings for Saturn.  I used a cheap 4 inch telescope in high school and it worked perfectly.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Jupiter and Saturn are very bright and can easily be located .
Both feature things that are instantly recognizable , but invisible with the naked eye .
The Gallelian Moons for Jupiter , and the rings for Saturn .
I used a cheap 4 inch telescope in high school and it worked perfectly .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Jupiter and Saturn are very bright and can easily be located.
Both feature things that are instantly recognizable, but invisible with the naked eye.
The Gallelian Moons for Jupiter, and the rings for Saturn.
I used a cheap 4 inch telescope in high school and it worked perfectly.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31093736</id>
	<title>With a 100mm scope</title>
	<author>EmagGeek</author>
	<datestamp>1265033280000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>All you're really going to get with that is the Moon, or the Sun if you have a solar filter for it.</p><p>Maybe, just maybe, on a very clear night with great seeing, you might possibly get to see Jupiter and the four major Jovian moons.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>All you 're really going to get with that is the Moon , or the Sun if you have a solar filter for it.Maybe , just maybe , on a very clear night with great seeing , you might possibly get to see Jupiter and the four major Jovian moons .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>All you're really going to get with that is the Moon, or the Sun if you have a solar filter for it.Maybe, just maybe, on a very clear night with great seeing, you might possibly get to see Jupiter and the four major Jovian moons.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091330</id>
	<title>Satellites</title>
	<author>Ollabelle</author>
	<datestamp>1265021160000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Try coordinating your location with <a href="http://www.heavens-above.com/" title="heavens-above.com">http://www.heavens-above.com/</a> [heavens-above.com].  They track lots (all?) the satellites and large debris, including some cool tumbling ones, so maybe you can find something there.  They track the flares that come from reflections off solar panels too, but I've had no luck to seeing them using their location data.<p>Only problem I foresee is that with a 4" telescope, unless there's some kind of tracking mechanism, regardless of what you're looking at, cycling through a bunch of kids will be difficult as the object/detail in question will have moved and the telescope will need to be constantly re-pointed.  THAT will be the toughest part in my opinion.  You can reduce the problem by paying close attention to the pivoting mechanisms on the telescope (possibly with some dry runs without the kids) so that the one axis points to celestial north and the other along the celestial plane.  If you're tracking the moon or Jupiter, then a turn of only one of the knobs (this thing does have a tracking mechanism, right?) will keep it in the scope.</p><p>Cue the piling on as I'm sure my description is un-artful and<nobr> <wbr></nobr>/. is an unforgiving crowd.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Try coordinating your location with http : //www.heavens-above.com/ [ heavens-above.com ] .
They track lots ( all ?
) the satellites and large debris , including some cool tumbling ones , so maybe you can find something there .
They track the flares that come from reflections off solar panels too , but I 've had no luck to seeing them using their location data.Only problem I foresee is that with a 4 " telescope , unless there 's some kind of tracking mechanism , regardless of what you 're looking at , cycling through a bunch of kids will be difficult as the object/detail in question will have moved and the telescope will need to be constantly re-pointed .
THAT will be the toughest part in my opinion .
You can reduce the problem by paying close attention to the pivoting mechanisms on the telescope ( possibly with some dry runs without the kids ) so that the one axis points to celestial north and the other along the celestial plane .
If you 're tracking the moon or Jupiter , then a turn of only one of the knobs ( this thing does have a tracking mechanism , right ?
) will keep it in the scope.Cue the piling on as I 'm sure my description is un-artful and / .
is an unforgiving crowd .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Try coordinating your location with http://www.heavens-above.com/ [heavens-above.com].
They track lots (all?
) the satellites and large debris, including some cool tumbling ones, so maybe you can find something there.
They track the flares that come from reflections off solar panels too, but I've had no luck to seeing them using their location data.Only problem I foresee is that with a 4" telescope, unless there's some kind of tracking mechanism, regardless of what you're looking at, cycling through a bunch of kids will be difficult as the object/detail in question will have moved and the telescope will need to be constantly re-pointed.
THAT will be the toughest part in my opinion.
You can reduce the problem by paying close attention to the pivoting mechanisms on the telescope (possibly with some dry runs without the kids) so that the one axis points to celestial north and the other along the celestial plane.
If you're tracking the moon or Jupiter, then a turn of only one of the knobs (this thing does have a tracking mechanism, right?
) will keep it in the scope.Cue the piling on as I'm sure my description is un-artful and /.
is an unforgiving crowd.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090524</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>toastar</author>
	<datestamp>1265018160000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><a href="http://www.fourmilab.ch/images/venus\_daytime/" title="fourmilab.ch" rel="nofollow">http://www.fourmilab.ch/images/venus\_daytime/</a> [fourmilab.ch]</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>http : //www.fourmilab.ch/images/venus \ _daytime/ [ fourmilab.ch ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>http://www.fourmilab.ch/images/venus\_daytime/ [fourmilab.ch]</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31099698</id>
	<title>Turn Left at Orion</title>
	<author>mikeraz</author>
	<datestamp>1265904480000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundred-Telescope/dp/0521781906/ref=sr\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1265900883&amp;sr=8-1" title="amazon.com">This book</a> [amazon.com] was written for owners of small scopes like yours. Inter library loan or I'll send a copy to your school from Amazon (h/t Doctorow)
</p><p>
You might also consider getting help from the closest astronomy club.  They do this kind of thing all the time.
</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>This book [ amazon.com ] was written for owners of small scopes like yours .
Inter library loan or I 'll send a copy to your school from Amazon ( h/t Doctorow ) You might also consider getting help from the closest astronomy club .
They do this kind of thing all the time .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>
This book [amazon.com] was written for owners of small scopes like yours.
Inter library loan or I'll send a copy to your school from Amazon (h/t Doctorow)

You might also consider getting help from the closest astronomy club.
They do this kind of thing all the time.
</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090958</id>
	<title>Simple list - easiest to more difficult</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019900000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Interestin</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>1) The moon - easiest to find, everyone enjoys seeing it up close for the 1st time.  Focus on Tycho crater and terminator.<br>2) Saturn and Jupiter - next in line of ease.  details apparent in even the smallest of scopes.  You might get lucky and see Saturns rings at a large angle,  or a transit of one of Jupiter's moons.<br>3) Venus and mars - Though not that difficult to find,  the detail, other than venus's phases can be a little disappointing.<br>4) Some of the easier Messier objects -<br>
&nbsp; - Globular clusters  - once you practice, they are easy to find in binoculars.    Will be very surprising to students who are unfamiliar with Globular Clusters.<br>
&nbsp; - Open clusters - Pleiades  for example<br>
&nbsp; - Galaxies -  Andromeda would be the easiest,  next in line is probably M81, M83</p><p>Once you get down to #4,  you really need to practice finding them before attempting it for the 1st time in front of the students.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>1 ) The moon - easiest to find , everyone enjoys seeing it up close for the 1st time .
Focus on Tycho crater and terminator.2 ) Saturn and Jupiter - next in line of ease .
details apparent in even the smallest of scopes .
You might get lucky and see Saturns rings at a large angle , or a transit of one of Jupiter 's moons.3 ) Venus and mars - Though not that difficult to find , the detail , other than venus 's phases can be a little disappointing.4 ) Some of the easier Messier objects -   - Globular clusters - once you practice , they are easy to find in binoculars .
Will be very surprising to students who are unfamiliar with Globular Clusters .
  - Open clusters - Pleiades for example   - Galaxies - Andromeda would be the easiest , next in line is probably M81 , M83Once you get down to # 4 , you really need to practice finding them before attempting it for the 1st time in front of the students .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>1) The moon - easiest to find, everyone enjoys seeing it up close for the 1st time.
Focus on Tycho crater and terminator.2) Saturn and Jupiter - next in line of ease.
details apparent in even the smallest of scopes.
You might get lucky and see Saturns rings at a large angle,  or a transit of one of Jupiter's moons.3) Venus and mars - Though not that difficult to find,  the detail, other than venus's phases can be a little disappointing.4) Some of the easier Messier objects -
  - Globular clusters  - once you practice, they are easy to find in binoculars.
Will be very surprising to students who are unfamiliar with Globular Clusters.
  - Open clusters - Pleiades  for example
  - Galaxies -  Andromeda would be the easiest,  next in line is probably M81, M83Once you get down to #4,  you really need to practice finding them before attempting it for the 1st time in front of the students.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090626</id>
	<title>My recommendation</title>
	<author>Slayer</author>
	<datestamp>1265018460000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>There are tons of books about this topic, especially about objects which can be viewed through binoculars or small telescopes. Consolmagno's "Turn left at Orion" provides a great introduction and has a really cool map of the moon. My recommendation with a 4" scope would be obviously the Moon surface, Jupiter and its moons, Saturn (you can see the ring in a 4" scope!), Andromeda, Orion Nebula, and possibly some colorful stars.

Despite the great excitement many astronomers have for their craft, most of the "exciting" objects look pretty dull to the layman or are not visible through a 4" scope. People are pretty spoiled by all the colorful nebula photos which are so abundant anywhere.</htmltext>
<tokenext>There are tons of books about this topic , especially about objects which can be viewed through binoculars or small telescopes .
Consolmagno 's " Turn left at Orion " provides a great introduction and has a really cool map of the moon .
My recommendation with a 4 " scope would be obviously the Moon surface , Jupiter and its moons , Saturn ( you can see the ring in a 4 " scope !
) , Andromeda , Orion Nebula , and possibly some colorful stars .
Despite the great excitement many astronomers have for their craft , most of the " exciting " objects look pretty dull to the layman or are not visible through a 4 " scope .
People are pretty spoiled by all the colorful nebula photos which are so abundant anywhere .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There are tons of books about this topic, especially about objects which can be viewed through binoculars or small telescopes.
Consolmagno's "Turn left at Orion" provides a great introduction and has a really cool map of the moon.
My recommendation with a 4" scope would be obviously the Moon surface, Jupiter and its moons, Saturn (you can see the ring in a 4" scope!
), Andromeda, Orion Nebula, and possibly some colorful stars.
Despite the great excitement many astronomers have for their craft, most of the "exciting" objects look pretty dull to the layman or are not visible through a 4" scope.
People are pretty spoiled by all the colorful nebula photos which are so abundant anywhere.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090996</id>
	<title>Start with the Moon</title>
	<author>StupendousMan</author>
	<datestamp>1265020080000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>
I teach astronomy courses to university students.
The best object by far to look at is the Moon, as
others have said.

</p><ol>
<li>
 it's big and bright, so you can't miss it </li><li> students can compare the view through the
        telescope to the view with their naked eyes </li><li> students can compare the view through the
        telescope to the view through binoculars </li></ol><p>
I've written a number of outdoor lab exercises
for introductory astro students which would
be perfectly appropriate for your students.
You can read <a href="http://stupendous.rit.edu/classes/phys236/moon\_lab/moon\_lab.html" title="rit.edu">
one on the Moon, in particular.</a> [rit.edu]  Or you can
look at the lists of exercises in
<a href="http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys231/phys231.html" title="rit.edu">
this class </a> [rit.edu]
or <a href="http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys236/phys236.html" title="rit.edu">
this other class</a> [rit.edu] for more ideas.

</p><p>
I'd recommend the "Limiting Magnitude" exercise
as one which you can do when the Moon isn't up.
It will help if you have several pairs of binoculars
in addition to the telescope.

</p><p>

Good luck!</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I teach astronomy courses to university students .
The best object by far to look at is the Moon , as others have said .
it 's big and bright , so you ca n't miss it students can compare the view through the telescope to the view with their naked eyes students can compare the view through the telescope to the view through binoculars I 've written a number of outdoor lab exercises for introductory astro students which would be perfectly appropriate for your students .
You can read one on the Moon , in particular .
[ rit.edu ] Or you can look at the lists of exercises in this class [ rit.edu ] or this other class [ rit.edu ] for more ideas .
I 'd recommend the " Limiting Magnitude " exercise as one which you can do when the Moon is n't up .
It will help if you have several pairs of binoculars in addition to the telescope .
Good luck !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>
I teach astronomy courses to university students.
The best object by far to look at is the Moon, as
others have said.
it's big and bright, so you can't miss it  students can compare the view through the
        telescope to the view with their naked eyes  students can compare the view through the
        telescope to the view through binoculars 
I've written a number of outdoor lab exercises
for introductory astro students which would
be perfectly appropriate for your students.
You can read 
one on the Moon, in particular.
[rit.edu]  Or you can
look at the lists of exercises in

this class  [rit.edu]
or 
this other class [rit.edu] for more ideas.
I'd recommend the "Limiting Magnitude" exercise
as one which you can do when the Moon isn't up.
It will help if you have several pairs of binoculars
in addition to the telescope.
Good luck!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091032</id>
	<title>re</title>
	<author>JohnVanVliet</author>
	<datestamp>1265020200000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>i would use Celestia - in the classroom <br>
there are a BUNCH of "Celestia ED " tools designed BY teachers for the classroom

But then again i am not impartial</htmltext>
<tokenext>i would use Celestia - in the classroom there are a BUNCH of " Celestia ED " tools designed BY teachers for the classroom But then again i am not impartial</tokentext>
<sentencetext>i would use Celestia - in the classroom 
there are a BUNCH of "Celestia ED " tools designed BY teachers for the classroom

But then again i am not impartial</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31096476</id>
	<title>What about during the day?</title>
	<author>XB-70</author>
	<datestamp>1265052660000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>First of all, go to <a href="http://www.cleardarksky.com/" title="cleardarksky.com">http://www.cleardarksky.com/</a> [cleardarksky.com] and search out your location. This website will ensure that you have the best possible 'seeing' for your event.
<p>
Secondly, get the students to each learn to use the telescope during the day when the moon is up. This will give them an understanding of how each mirror folds and bends the light in order to bring it to the eye. See if they can work out where Jupiter or Venus are located during the day (if it's not too close to the sun). Explain why telescopes need to move and what angles they need to be set at in order to continue to observe a given object.
</p><p>
Start with the most 'boring' objects first and work up to the moon. This will keep their attention more focused. Bring binoculars and make sure there are a variety of simulaneous activities for them to do so that they are not bored while they wait to use the telescope.
</p><p>
Have them build red LED flashlights so that they do not lose their nighttime/dark adaption.
</p><p>
If you don't already have a computer with Linux, download and burn an iso of knoppix <a href="http://www.knoppix.net./" title="www.knoppix.net">http://www.knoppix.net./</a> [www.knoppix.net] It is completely free software and includes kstars - astronomy software which can show all the objects that you can observe with a 4" scope. Put the DVD in the computer's drive and boot it. No installation required.
</p><p>
One of the main questions you'll get is: Can we see Saturn (or any other object)? The answer is never simple. Depending on time of day etc, you may or may not be able to see Saturn. They need to understand why they can't see Saturn and how they can predict when they might see it next.
</p><p>
Never underestimate what kids take away from an experience with astronomy. They may not refer to it or bring it up again, but it will give them a profound sense of where they are in the universe. If you can open their eyes to one of the fastest advancing fields of science, you will have done a wonderful thing.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>First of all , go to http : //www.cleardarksky.com/ [ cleardarksky.com ] and search out your location .
This website will ensure that you have the best possible 'seeing ' for your event .
Secondly , get the students to each learn to use the telescope during the day when the moon is up .
This will give them an understanding of how each mirror folds and bends the light in order to bring it to the eye .
See if they can work out where Jupiter or Venus are located during the day ( if it 's not too close to the sun ) .
Explain why telescopes need to move and what angles they need to be set at in order to continue to observe a given object .
Start with the most 'boring ' objects first and work up to the moon .
This will keep their attention more focused .
Bring binoculars and make sure there are a variety of simulaneous activities for them to do so that they are not bored while they wait to use the telescope .
Have them build red LED flashlights so that they do not lose their nighttime/dark adaption .
If you do n't already have a computer with Linux , download and burn an iso of knoppix http : //www.knoppix.net./ [ www.knoppix.net ] It is completely free software and includes kstars - astronomy software which can show all the objects that you can observe with a 4 " scope .
Put the DVD in the computer 's drive and boot it .
No installation required .
One of the main questions you 'll get is : Can we see Saturn ( or any other object ) ?
The answer is never simple .
Depending on time of day etc , you may or may not be able to see Saturn .
They need to understand why they ca n't see Saturn and how they can predict when they might see it next .
Never underestimate what kids take away from an experience with astronomy .
They may not refer to it or bring it up again , but it will give them a profound sense of where they are in the universe .
If you can open their eyes to one of the fastest advancing fields of science , you will have done a wonderful thing .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>First of all, go to http://www.cleardarksky.com/ [cleardarksky.com] and search out your location.
This website will ensure that you have the best possible 'seeing' for your event.
Secondly, get the students to each learn to use the telescope during the day when the moon is up.
This will give them an understanding of how each mirror folds and bends the light in order to bring it to the eye.
See if they can work out where Jupiter or Venus are located during the day (if it's not too close to the sun).
Explain why telescopes need to move and what angles they need to be set at in order to continue to observe a given object.
Start with the most 'boring' objects first and work up to the moon.
This will keep their attention more focused.
Bring binoculars and make sure there are a variety of simulaneous activities for them to do so that they are not bored while they wait to use the telescope.
Have them build red LED flashlights so that they do not lose their nighttime/dark adaption.
If you don't already have a computer with Linux, download and burn an iso of knoppix http://www.knoppix.net./ [www.knoppix.net] It is completely free software and includes kstars - astronomy software which can show all the objects that you can observe with a 4" scope.
Put the DVD in the computer's drive and boot it.
No installation required.
One of the main questions you'll get is: Can we see Saturn (or any other object)?
The answer is never simple.
Depending on time of day etc, you may or may not be able to see Saturn.
They need to understand why they can't see Saturn and how they can predict when they might see it next.
Never underestimate what kids take away from an experience with astronomy.
They may not refer to it or bring it up again, but it will give them a profound sense of where they are in the universe.
If you can open their eyes to one of the fastest advancing fields of science, you will have done a wonderful thing.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092276</id>
	<title>Re:Look, stars! Dozens of them!</title>
	<author>Adrian Lopez</author>
	<datestamp>1265025120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>1. You don't need to go outside of town to see the rings of Saturn.<br>2. There are no canals on Mars. It's an optical illusion.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>1 .
You do n't need to go outside of town to see the rings of Saturn.2 .
There are no canals on Mars .
It 's an optical illusion .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>1.
You don't need to go outside of town to see the rings of Saturn.2.
There are no canals on Mars.
It's an optical illusion.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090624</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091056</id>
	<title>If you're near Atlanta</title>
	<author>2obvious4u</author>
	<datestamp>1265020260000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>The <a href="http://www.weinmanmuseum.org/" title="weinmanmuseum.org">Tellus Science Museum</a> [weinmanmuseum.org] in Northwest Georgia has a nice <a href="http://www.weinmanmuseum.org/galleries/planetarium.htm" title="weinmanmuseum.org">planetarium</a> [weinmanmuseum.org].<br>
<br>
I wasn't to impressed with the kids program since you can basically get the same show on PBS, however the "Live Tour of Tonights Sky" is impressive.<br>
<br>
Georgia Tech does a lot of stuff with them and there are some nice exhibits.  If you haven't been I'd recommend it.</htmltext>
<tokenext>The Tellus Science Museum [ weinmanmuseum.org ] in Northwest Georgia has a nice planetarium [ weinmanmuseum.org ] .
I was n't to impressed with the kids program since you can basically get the same show on PBS , however the " Live Tour of Tonights Sky " is impressive .
Georgia Tech does a lot of stuff with them and there are some nice exhibits .
If you have n't been I 'd recommend it .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The Tellus Science Museum [weinmanmuseum.org] in Northwest Georgia has a nice planetarium [weinmanmuseum.org].
I wasn't to impressed with the kids program since you can basically get the same show on PBS, however the "Live Tour of Tonights Sky" is impressive.
Georgia Tech does a lot of stuff with them and there are some nice exhibits.
If you haven't been I'd recommend it.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090806</id>
	<title>First, don't use the telescope</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019240000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Unless you have done this already, start by orienting them to the sky without  a telescope.<br>There is a lot to see with just a set of eyes.<br>Then use a few pairs binoculars to see some of the larger things like the moon, small constellations.<br>A lot more students can see a lot more that way.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Unless you have done this already , start by orienting them to the sky without a telescope.There is a lot to see with just a set of eyes.Then use a few pairs binoculars to see some of the larger things like the moon , small constellations.A lot more students can see a lot more that way .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Unless you have done this already, start by orienting them to the sky without  a telescope.There is a lot to see with just a set of eyes.Then use a few pairs binoculars to see some of the larger things like the moon, small constellations.A lot more students can see a lot more that way.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092536</id>
	<title>Take the opportunity</title>
	<author>SnarfQuest</author>
	<datestamp>1265026980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Take the opportunity to teach the children in science classes what appears to be the most important lesson about science that teachers have been hammering into the kids for many years: Science is boring. Make sure that they have to do many hours of calculations for a 30 second chance at looking through the telescope. Afterwards, make them write a 6 page essay about the experience, and how it effects global warming and the snail darter. Pound it into them that there is nothing intresting about science. Go on for hours about how you only got 15 seconds when you were younger. Then tell them the long boring details about how you make your own aspirin in the chemistry lab.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Take the opportunity to teach the children in science classes what appears to be the most important lesson about science that teachers have been hammering into the kids for many years : Science is boring .
Make sure that they have to do many hours of calculations for a 30 second chance at looking through the telescope .
Afterwards , make them write a 6 page essay about the experience , and how it effects global warming and the snail darter .
Pound it into them that there is nothing intresting about science .
Go on for hours about how you only got 15 seconds when you were younger .
Then tell them the long boring details about how you make your own aspirin in the chemistry lab .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Take the opportunity to teach the children in science classes what appears to be the most important lesson about science that teachers have been hammering into the kids for many years: Science is boring.
Make sure that they have to do many hours of calculations for a 30 second chance at looking through the telescope.
Afterwards, make them write a 6 page essay about the experience, and how it effects global warming and the snail darter.
Pound it into them that there is nothing intresting about science.
Go on for hours about how you only got 15 seconds when you were younger.
Then tell them the long boring details about how you make your own aspirin in the chemistry lab.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31096322</id>
	<title>Just my suggestions</title>
	<author>dpastern</author>
	<datestamp>1265051100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Sun (with an appropriate full aperture solar filter that fits on the front of the scope securely - NEVER use a solar filter that is screwed into the eyepiece)</p><p>The moon</p><p>Jupiter</p><p>Saturn</p><p>Mars</p><p>Venus</p><p>M42 - great Orion nebula - good from binoculars, nice view in a 4" scope</p><p>M8 - Lagoon nebula - prefer use a 6" scope from dark skies and a UHC filter for best display</p><p>M13 - globular cluster - medium size fuzzy oval sized patch, need at least 6" scope to resolve stars</p><p>NGC2070 - Tarantula nebula (only really available from the southern hemisphere) - needs 6" scope or better and preferably dark skies and uhc filter</p><p>NGC 5139 - Omega Centauri - globular cluster - larger, brighter than M13.  Need 6" or greater to resolve stars</p><p>M31 - Great Andromeda galaxy - 6" scope and dark skies will show the dark dust lane that runs through this magnificent galaxy</p><p>M45 - pleaides (aka seven sisters) - naked eye, binoculars and small telescopes will show this as a treat even from suburban skies</p><p>Milky way - naked eye and dark skies</p><p>Just my suggestions.</p><p>Dave</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Sun ( with an appropriate full aperture solar filter that fits on the front of the scope securely - NEVER use a solar filter that is screwed into the eyepiece ) The moonJupiterSaturnMarsVenusM42 - great Orion nebula - good from binoculars , nice view in a 4 " scopeM8 - Lagoon nebula - prefer use a 6 " scope from dark skies and a UHC filter for best displayM13 - globular cluster - medium size fuzzy oval sized patch , need at least 6 " scope to resolve starsNGC2070 - Tarantula nebula ( only really available from the southern hemisphere ) - needs 6 " scope or better and preferably dark skies and uhc filterNGC 5139 - Omega Centauri - globular cluster - larger , brighter than M13 .
Need 6 " or greater to resolve starsM31 - Great Andromeda galaxy - 6 " scope and dark skies will show the dark dust lane that runs through this magnificent galaxyM45 - pleaides ( aka seven sisters ) - naked eye , binoculars and small telescopes will show this as a treat even from suburban skiesMilky way - naked eye and dark skiesJust my suggestions.Dave</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Sun (with an appropriate full aperture solar filter that fits on the front of the scope securely - NEVER use a solar filter that is screwed into the eyepiece)The moonJupiterSaturnMarsVenusM42 - great Orion nebula - good from binoculars, nice view in a 4" scopeM8 - Lagoon nebula - prefer use a 6" scope from dark skies and a UHC filter for best displayM13 - globular cluster - medium size fuzzy oval sized patch, need at least 6" scope to resolve starsNGC2070 - Tarantula nebula (only really available from the southern hemisphere) - needs 6" scope or better and preferably dark skies and uhc filterNGC 5139 - Omega Centauri - globular cluster - larger, brighter than M13.
Need 6" or greater to resolve starsM31 - Great Andromeda galaxy - 6" scope and dark skies will show the dark dust lane that runs through this magnificent galaxyM45 - pleaides (aka seven sisters) - naked eye, binoculars and small telescopes will show this as a treat even from suburban skiesMilky way - naked eye and dark skiesJust my suggestions.Dave</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090906</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>noidentity</author>
	<datestamp>1265019660000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Disadvantages: Can damage telescope. Might not be visible if cloudy. Not as neat as looking at planets or stars. Oh yeah, it also causes instant blindness.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Disadvantages : Can damage telescope .
Might not be visible if cloudy .
Not as neat as looking at planets or stars .
Oh yeah , it also causes instant blindness .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Disadvantages: Can damage telescope.
Might not be visible if cloudy.
Not as neat as looking at planets or stars.
Oh yeah, it also causes instant blindness.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090566</id>
	<title>Caution:</title>
	<author>drainbramage</author>
	<datestamp>1265018280000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Funny</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Do NOT look at Sun with remaining eye.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Do NOT look at Sun with remaining eye .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Do NOT look at Sun with remaining eye.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092228</id>
	<title>Use the sky to inspire</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265024880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Certainly the foregoing suggestions for object to view are good.  In your four-inch telescope, you have an instrument bigger and more powerful than Galileo had.  Use it to sight objects that can be "jumping-of places" for further inquiry.  You can measure the heights of mountains on the Moon from their shadows (tying astronomy into trigonometry).  You can see the Galilean satellites of Jupiter, and measure their periods; they were once (before accurate chronometers) proposed as a celestial clock for navigators, and use this to discuss time and timekeeping.  Watch sunspots develop, and note that the Sun rotates with different periods at different latitudes, showing it is not solid. Watch a bright variable star, such as Algol, change in brightness and try to figure out why it does this.   And in addition to the telescope, I highly recommend a pair of 7x50 binoculars: they are wide field, easy to hold, and show that the misty band of the Milky Way is indeed stars.  Finally, use all the observations to make the point that there are only four fundamental things that can be determined by astronomers through a telescope: direction in the sky (Note: not distance, directly), total brightness; distribution of brightness over wavelength (spectrum); and the polarization of the light.   Plus the changes in these data over time.  EVERYTHING else about astronomical objects is inference from physical principles, tying it all into physics.  From teaching astronomy for many decades, I urge you to "light a fire, not fill a bucket;"  i.e., inspire to further learning, don't just dump data into students.  Concepts are more important than numbers.  And don't forget to simply enjoy the celestial spectacle.  Lastly, if you wish to connect the celestial to the terrestrial human, there are hundreds of references to the sky in literature, poetry, painting, sculpture, instrument-making, architecture, and history.  Enjoy!</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Certainly the foregoing suggestions for object to view are good .
In your four-inch telescope , you have an instrument bigger and more powerful than Galileo had .
Use it to sight objects that can be " jumping-of places " for further inquiry .
You can measure the heights of mountains on the Moon from their shadows ( tying astronomy into trigonometry ) .
You can see the Galilean satellites of Jupiter , and measure their periods ; they were once ( before accurate chronometers ) proposed as a celestial clock for navigators , and use this to discuss time and timekeeping .
Watch sunspots develop , and note that the Sun rotates with different periods at different latitudes , showing it is not solid .
Watch a bright variable star , such as Algol , change in brightness and try to figure out why it does this .
And in addition to the telescope , I highly recommend a pair of 7x50 binoculars : they are wide field , easy to hold , and show that the misty band of the Milky Way is indeed stars .
Finally , use all the observations to make the point that there are only four fundamental things that can be determined by astronomers through a telescope : direction in the sky ( Note : not distance , directly ) , total brightness ; distribution of brightness over wavelength ( spectrum ) ; and the polarization of the light .
Plus the changes in these data over time .
EVERYTHING else about astronomical objects is inference from physical principles , tying it all into physics .
From teaching astronomy for many decades , I urge you to " light a fire , not fill a bucket ; " i.e. , inspire to further learning , do n't just dump data into students .
Concepts are more important than numbers .
And do n't forget to simply enjoy the celestial spectacle .
Lastly , if you wish to connect the celestial to the terrestrial human , there are hundreds of references to the sky in literature , poetry , painting , sculpture , instrument-making , architecture , and history .
Enjoy !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Certainly the foregoing suggestions for object to view are good.
In your four-inch telescope, you have an instrument bigger and more powerful than Galileo had.
Use it to sight objects that can be "jumping-of places" for further inquiry.
You can measure the heights of mountains on the Moon from their shadows (tying astronomy into trigonometry).
You can see the Galilean satellites of Jupiter, and measure their periods; they were once (before accurate chronometers) proposed as a celestial clock for navigators, and use this to discuss time and timekeeping.
Watch sunspots develop, and note that the Sun rotates with different periods at different latitudes, showing it is not solid.
Watch a bright variable star, such as Algol, change in brightness and try to figure out why it does this.
And in addition to the telescope, I highly recommend a pair of 7x50 binoculars: they are wide field, easy to hold, and show that the misty band of the Milky Way is indeed stars.
Finally, use all the observations to make the point that there are only four fundamental things that can be determined by astronomers through a telescope: direction in the sky (Note: not distance, directly), total brightness; distribution of brightness over wavelength (spectrum); and the polarization of the light.
Plus the changes in these data over time.
EVERYTHING else about astronomical objects is inference from physical principles, tying it all into physics.
From teaching astronomy for many decades, I urge you to "light a fire, not fill a bucket;"  i.e., inspire to further learning, don't just dump data into students.
Concepts are more important than numbers.
And don't forget to simply enjoy the celestial spectacle.
Lastly, if you wish to connect the celestial to the terrestrial human, there are hundreds of references to the sky in literature, poetry, painting, sculpture, instrument-making, architecture, and history.
Enjoy!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092136</id>
	<title>Sextant</title>
	<author>jemenake</author>
	<datestamp>1265024460000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Most of the posts have focused on what you'll be able or unable to see with your telescope. I'm going to suggest something different which, I think, can add to their overall understanding of astronomy. Get a plastic Davis Mark 3 sextant. They go on eBay for about $30 or so. With it, you can measure the distances between objects in the sky. Even without a telescope, there are a lot of eye-opening things you'll notice about the heavens once you start paying close attention. For example, you can measure the angle between the moon and some celestial object along it's path. You'll be <i>stunned</i> at how much the moon moves relative to the stars and planets from one evening to the next. You'll wonder how you never noticed that before. By calculating how many degrees it moves in 24 hours (or even in just a <i>few</i> hours), you can figure out how many days it would take to go 360 degrees and return to it's original position... and you'll find it comes to about 28 days... the time it takes for the moon to go through all of it's phases. Note, however, you need to do it with some star along the moon's path. Easiest to pick one very adjacent (to the east or west) to the moon on your first night of sighting.
<br> <br>
Also, with a sextant, you can sight the north star and know you latitude at any time of night. Once you're able to do that, you could sail a ship to the latitude of your destination and then sail directly east or west, along that latitude, until you made landfall. If you also know the exact time it is (whereupon you can discuss the huge reward the English parliament offered for an accurate ship-board timepiece), you can sight the sun when it's directly overhead and know your longitude as well. It would take some very careful explaining in order to get 9th graders to understand the gist of it, but then they'd realize why all of those scientists in the renaissance concerned themselves with the motions of the planets, stars, and moon. Celestial navigation was GPS before we had GPS. Even as recently as world war II, this is how the ships and aircraft figured out where they were. Because of this, the motion of the heavens, and their impact upon maritime navigation, we a seriously big deal for centuries.
<br> <br>
Also, set up a little sighting post in the middle of a circle...  kind of like a big sundial. At sunrise and sunset, look at the sun over the post and mark the direction on the perimeter of the circle. The idea is to make a little "Stonehenge", whereupon you record the directions to the rise/set of the sun (and moon, if you want). You don't have to do it every day... maybe just once per week. That will be enough for you to see that the sun rise/set <i>does</i>move and you can even tell when the equinox is (when the rise and set are directly opposite each other on the circle) and when the solstice is (when the rise/set positions stop moving in one direction and start moving back the other way).
<br> <br>
So, I guess to summarize, I'd focus on the stuff that makes (or, at least, made) astronomy <i>useful</i>. Sure, we can look through monsterous telescopes and see fantastic nebulae and clusters... and that makes for a great desktop wallpaper (yes, yes, I know... it also tells us things about their composition and about the origin of the universe and <i>may</i> expand our understanding of physics someday. I mean "useful" in the sense of being able to help a plain ol' person in the world do something they'd have trouble doing otherwise, like sail across an ocean, or plant their crops at the right time).
<br> <br>
Now, as to what to do with the telescope... you might want to turn it on Jupiter and start recording the positions of the moons. I guess I'm a kind of a "know your roots" guy. Galileo first thought they were stars... finding it curious that there were so many right next to it. Then, he noticed that they moved, and sometimes disappeared. Later, he had the epiphany that they must be moons, and the "disappearing" was when they went behind or in front of Jupiter. This revelation is what caused him to realize th</htmltext>
<tokenext>Most of the posts have focused on what you 'll be able or unable to see with your telescope .
I 'm going to suggest something different which , I think , can add to their overall understanding of astronomy .
Get a plastic Davis Mark 3 sextant .
They go on eBay for about $ 30 or so .
With it , you can measure the distances between objects in the sky .
Even without a telescope , there are a lot of eye-opening things you 'll notice about the heavens once you start paying close attention .
For example , you can measure the angle between the moon and some celestial object along it 's path .
You 'll be stunned at how much the moon moves relative to the stars and planets from one evening to the next .
You 'll wonder how you never noticed that before .
By calculating how many degrees it moves in 24 hours ( or even in just a few hours ) , you can figure out how many days it would take to go 360 degrees and return to it 's original position... and you 'll find it comes to about 28 days... the time it takes for the moon to go through all of it 's phases .
Note , however , you need to do it with some star along the moon 's path .
Easiest to pick one very adjacent ( to the east or west ) to the moon on your first night of sighting .
Also , with a sextant , you can sight the north star and know you latitude at any time of night .
Once you 're able to do that , you could sail a ship to the latitude of your destination and then sail directly east or west , along that latitude , until you made landfall .
If you also know the exact time it is ( whereupon you can discuss the huge reward the English parliament offered for an accurate ship-board timepiece ) , you can sight the sun when it 's directly overhead and know your longitude as well .
It would take some very careful explaining in order to get 9th graders to understand the gist of it , but then they 'd realize why all of those scientists in the renaissance concerned themselves with the motions of the planets , stars , and moon .
Celestial navigation was GPS before we had GPS .
Even as recently as world war II , this is how the ships and aircraft figured out where they were .
Because of this , the motion of the heavens , and their impact upon maritime navigation , we a seriously big deal for centuries .
Also , set up a little sighting post in the middle of a circle... kind of like a big sundial .
At sunrise and sunset , look at the sun over the post and mark the direction on the perimeter of the circle .
The idea is to make a little " Stonehenge " , whereupon you record the directions to the rise/set of the sun ( and moon , if you want ) .
You do n't have to do it every day... maybe just once per week .
That will be enough for you to see that the sun rise/set doesmove and you can even tell when the equinox is ( when the rise and set are directly opposite each other on the circle ) and when the solstice is ( when the rise/set positions stop moving in one direction and start moving back the other way ) .
So , I guess to summarize , I 'd focus on the stuff that makes ( or , at least , made ) astronomy useful .
Sure , we can look through monsterous telescopes and see fantastic nebulae and clusters... and that makes for a great desktop wallpaper ( yes , yes , I know... it also tells us things about their composition and about the origin of the universe and may expand our understanding of physics someday .
I mean " useful " in the sense of being able to help a plain ol ' person in the world do something they 'd have trouble doing otherwise , like sail across an ocean , or plant their crops at the right time ) .
Now , as to what to do with the telescope... you might want to turn it on Jupiter and start recording the positions of the moons .
I guess I 'm a kind of a " know your roots " guy .
Galileo first thought they were stars... finding it curious that there were so many right next to it .
Then , he noticed that they moved , and sometimes disappeared .
Later , he had the epiphany that they must be moons , and the " disappearing " was when they went behind or in front of Jupiter .
This revelation is what caused him to realize th</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Most of the posts have focused on what you'll be able or unable to see with your telescope.
I'm going to suggest something different which, I think, can add to their overall understanding of astronomy.
Get a plastic Davis Mark 3 sextant.
They go on eBay for about $30 or so.
With it, you can measure the distances between objects in the sky.
Even without a telescope, there are a lot of eye-opening things you'll notice about the heavens once you start paying close attention.
For example, you can measure the angle between the moon and some celestial object along it's path.
You'll be stunned at how much the moon moves relative to the stars and planets from one evening to the next.
You'll wonder how you never noticed that before.
By calculating how many degrees it moves in 24 hours (or even in just a few hours), you can figure out how many days it would take to go 360 degrees and return to it's original position... and you'll find it comes to about 28 days... the time it takes for the moon to go through all of it's phases.
Note, however, you need to do it with some star along the moon's path.
Easiest to pick one very adjacent (to the east or west) to the moon on your first night of sighting.
Also, with a sextant, you can sight the north star and know you latitude at any time of night.
Once you're able to do that, you could sail a ship to the latitude of your destination and then sail directly east or west, along that latitude, until you made landfall.
If you also know the exact time it is (whereupon you can discuss the huge reward the English parliament offered for an accurate ship-board timepiece), you can sight the sun when it's directly overhead and know your longitude as well.
It would take some very careful explaining in order to get 9th graders to understand the gist of it, but then they'd realize why all of those scientists in the renaissance concerned themselves with the motions of the planets, stars, and moon.
Celestial navigation was GPS before we had GPS.
Even as recently as world war II, this is how the ships and aircraft figured out where they were.
Because of this, the motion of the heavens, and their impact upon maritime navigation, we a seriously big deal for centuries.
Also, set up a little sighting post in the middle of a circle...  kind of like a big sundial.
At sunrise and sunset, look at the sun over the post and mark the direction on the perimeter of the circle.
The idea is to make a little "Stonehenge", whereupon you record the directions to the rise/set of the sun (and moon, if you want).
You don't have to do it every day... maybe just once per week.
That will be enough for you to see that the sun rise/set doesmove and you can even tell when the equinox is (when the rise and set are directly opposite each other on the circle) and when the solstice is (when the rise/set positions stop moving in one direction and start moving back the other way).
So, I guess to summarize, I'd focus on the stuff that makes (or, at least, made) astronomy useful.
Sure, we can look through monsterous telescopes and see fantastic nebulae and clusters... and that makes for a great desktop wallpaper (yes, yes, I know... it also tells us things about their composition and about the origin of the universe and may expand our understanding of physics someday.
I mean "useful" in the sense of being able to help a plain ol' person in the world do something they'd have trouble doing otherwise, like sail across an ocean, or plant their crops at the right time).
Now, as to what to do with the telescope... you might want to turn it on Jupiter and start recording the positions of the moons.
I guess I'm a kind of a "know your roots" guy.
Galileo first thought they were stars... finding it curious that there were so many right next to it.
Then, he noticed that they moved, and sometimes disappeared.
Later, he had the epiphany that they must be moons, and the "disappearing" was when they went behind or in front of Jupiter.
This revelation is what caused him to realize th</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</id>
	<title>The Sun</title>
	<author>dcollins</author>
	<datestamp>1265017980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Funny</modclass>
	<modscore>4</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Advantages: Easy to find in the sky. Viewable during daytime hours.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Advantages : Easy to find in the sky .
Viewable during daytime hours .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Advantages: Easy to find in the sky.
Viewable during daytime hours.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091766</id>
	<title>Has anyone suggested the Moon yet?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265022960000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Has anyone suggested the Moon yet?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Has anyone suggested the Moon yet ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Has anyone suggested the Moon yet?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31108880</id>
	<title>Something for a cloudy day</title>
	<author>canatech</author>
	<datestamp>1265902980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Lots of good suggestions and this may be a dupe.</p><p>One thing I did with my kids was to get a cash register roll of paper and a measuring tape and make a scale model of the solar system.<br>This could be done in the gym on a cloudy day.  You could also put on the asteroid belt and the diameter of some of the largest stars.<br>Include the extremes of Pluto's orbit.<br>Gives a fair idea of the distances involved.</p><p>As for viewing, are there any nice comets visible?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Lots of good suggestions and this may be a dupe.One thing I did with my kids was to get a cash register roll of paper and a measuring tape and make a scale model of the solar system.This could be done in the gym on a cloudy day .
You could also put on the asteroid belt and the diameter of some of the largest stars.Include the extremes of Pluto 's orbit.Gives a fair idea of the distances involved.As for viewing , are there any nice comets visible ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Lots of good suggestions and this may be a dupe.One thing I did with my kids was to get a cash register roll of paper and a measuring tape and make a scale model of the solar system.This could be done in the gym on a cloudy day.
You could also put on the asteroid belt and the diameter of some of the largest stars.Include the extremes of Pluto's orbit.Gives a fair idea of the distances involved.As for viewing, are there any nice comets visible?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31099720</id>
	<title>Domingo</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265904600000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Hi</p><p>I would say that you will do great if you combine the observation of planets and some large sky objects (like Orion Nebula, Magellean Clouds, Pleyades) with a planetarium software like Celestia or Starry Night (the first one its free and the second its a commercial application).</p><p>One thing to keep in mind and teach to your students its that astronomy means a lot off a patience and careful observation therefore you need to develop a discipline in the way you set the telescope, look at the sky, register your observations ans share then with the rest of your team. After all you have now more tools, knowledge and probably a telescope better than the one used the "Great" Galileo Galilei.</p><p>Remember that as important as the telescope, is the tripod/mount itself. A good polar alignment and stability can help you to outperform other larger telescopes if you do it right.</p><p>You can also end with the computer looking at your virtual sky and teach your students about the large amount of work, endurance and devotion that had make this knowledge possible.</p><p>I am sure that you will spark the imagination of your class and maybe some of your students will continue the "path to the stars".</p><p>Clear skies</p><p>-dv</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>HiI would say that you will do great if you combine the observation of planets and some large sky objects ( like Orion Nebula , Magellean Clouds , Pleyades ) with a planetarium software like Celestia or Starry Night ( the first one its free and the second its a commercial application ) .One thing to keep in mind and teach to your students its that astronomy means a lot off a patience and careful observation therefore you need to develop a discipline in the way you set the telescope , look at the sky , register your observations ans share then with the rest of your team .
After all you have now more tools , knowledge and probably a telescope better than the one used the " Great " Galileo Galilei.Remember that as important as the telescope , is the tripod/mount itself .
A good polar alignment and stability can help you to outperform other larger telescopes if you do it right.You can also end with the computer looking at your virtual sky and teach your students about the large amount of work , endurance and devotion that had make this knowledge possible.I am sure that you will spark the imagination of your class and maybe some of your students will continue the " path to the stars " .Clear skies-dv</tokentext>
<sentencetext>HiI would say that you will do great if you combine the observation of planets and some large sky objects (like Orion Nebula, Magellean Clouds, Pleyades) with a planetarium software like Celestia or Starry Night (the first one its free and the second its a commercial application).One thing to keep in mind and teach to your students its that astronomy means a lot off a patience and careful observation therefore you need to develop a discipline in the way you set the telescope, look at the sky, register your observations ans share then with the rest of your team.
After all you have now more tools, knowledge and probably a telescope better than the one used the "Great" Galileo Galilei.Remember that as important as the telescope, is the tripod/mount itself.
A good polar alignment and stability can help you to outperform other larger telescopes if you do it right.You can also end with the computer looking at your virtual sky and teach your students about the large amount of work, endurance and devotion that had make this knowledge possible.I am sure that you will spark the imagination of your class and maybe some of your students will continue the "path to the stars".Clear skies-dv</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091598</id>
	<title>Find a local astronomy club</title>
	<author>hykkonen</author>
	<datestamp>1265022300000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Find a local astronomy club!  I'm sure they would be more than enthused to do a public outreach viewing event for you.  Not only are they more familiar with the night sky, but you can be sure they'll bring everything from 4" scopes up through 20" Dobsonians.  Make it an event for not only your class, but all the kids in your school!

You'll get to see a lot more that way.

Here is a good place to start... <a href="http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/" title="nasa.gov" rel="nofollow">http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/</a> [nasa.gov]</htmltext>
<tokenext>Find a local astronomy club !
I 'm sure they would be more than enthused to do a public outreach viewing event for you .
Not only are they more familiar with the night sky , but you can be sure they 'll bring everything from 4 " scopes up through 20 " Dobsonians .
Make it an event for not only your class , but all the kids in your school !
You 'll get to see a lot more that way .
Here is a good place to start... http : //nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/ [ nasa.gov ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Find a local astronomy club!
I'm sure they would be more than enthused to do a public outreach viewing event for you.
Not only are they more familiar with the night sky, but you can be sure they'll bring everything from 4" scopes up through 20" Dobsonians.
Make it an event for not only your class, but all the kids in your school!
You'll get to see a lot more that way.
Here is a good place to start... http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/ [nasa.gov]</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090654</id>
	<title>Beginner Astronomer Tips</title>
	<author>seanvaandering</author>
	<datestamp>1265018580000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>3</modscore>
	<htmltext>Here is a good beginners guide to finding objects and telescope use:

<a href="http://www.rocketroberts.com/astro/first.htm" title="rocketroberts.com">http://www.rocketroberts.com/astro/first.htm</a> [rocketroberts.com]</htmltext>
<tokenext>Here is a good beginners guide to finding objects and telescope use : http : //www.rocketroberts.com/astro/first.htm [ rocketroberts.com ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Here is a good beginners guide to finding objects and telescope use:

http://www.rocketroberts.com/astro/first.htm [rocketroberts.com]</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31097170</id>
	<title>How about focusing on the obvious?</title>
	<author>Ihlosi</author>
	<datestamp>1265881320000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter (plus its moons). Maybe Mercury, if you get the chance. Possibly you could get a glance at the ISS, too.</p><p>Oh, screw that if any cool comets happen to pop up, of course.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Moon , Venus , Mars , Jupiter ( plus its moons ) .
Maybe Mercury , if you get the chance .
Possibly you could get a glance at the ISS , too.Oh , screw that if any cool comets happen to pop up , of course .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter (plus its moons).
Maybe Mercury, if you get the chance.
Possibly you could get a glance at the ISS, too.Oh, screw that if any cool comets happen to pop up, of course.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31102172</id>
	<title>Anonymous Coward</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265916300000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Agree on the moon.</p><p>Also, search for the nearest astronomy club and see if they offer star parties.</p><p>Consider picking up something with blinking lights from party city to put on the mount, especially the legs.  This helps prevent kids from tripping and damaging the scope.</p><p>Something that worked well when I did star parties was having a cheap plastic chair turned backwards.  Kids could then brace themselves with a knee on the chair and hold onto the back so they weren't trying to grab the scope.  Also helped steady them so they weren't bumping the eye piece so much.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Agree on the moon.Also , search for the nearest astronomy club and see if they offer star parties.Consider picking up something with blinking lights from party city to put on the mount , especially the legs .
This helps prevent kids from tripping and damaging the scope.Something that worked well when I did star parties was having a cheap plastic chair turned backwards .
Kids could then brace themselves with a knee on the chair and hold onto the back so they were n't trying to grab the scope .
Also helped steady them so they were n't bumping the eye piece so much .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Agree on the moon.Also, search for the nearest astronomy club and see if they offer star parties.Consider picking up something with blinking lights from party city to put on the mount, especially the legs.
This helps prevent kids from tripping and damaging the scope.Something that worked well when I did star parties was having a cheap plastic chair turned backwards.
Kids could then brace themselves with a knee on the chair and hold onto the back so they weren't trying to grab the scope.
Also helped steady them so they weren't bumping the eye piece so much.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090640</id>
	<title>What would look good?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265018520000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>"I am as new to telescope use as my students, so I have no idea what objects would look good through a 4" lens."</p></div><p>How about Miss Crabapple through her bedroom window?</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>" I am as new to telescope use as my students , so I have no idea what objects would look good through a 4 " lens .
" How about Miss Crabapple through her bedroom window ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>"I am as new to telescope use as my students, so I have no idea what objects would look good through a 4" lens.
"How about Miss Crabapple through her bedroom window?
	</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091512</id>
	<title>Start with Stellarium</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265022000000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Stellarium, http://www.stellarium.org/,  is a free open source planetarium for you computer.  It will give you lots of ideas on what can be seen with both the naked eye and your 4" telescope from your location at any particular time.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Stellarium , http : //www.stellarium.org/ , is a free open source planetarium for you computer .
It will give you lots of ideas on what can be seen with both the naked eye and your 4 " telescope from your location at any particular time .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Stellarium, http://www.stellarium.org/,  is a free open source planetarium for you computer.
It will give you lots of ideas on what can be seen with both the naked eye and your 4" telescope from your location at any particular time.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31093558</id>
	<title>Non-planetary suggestions...</title>
	<author>zoward</author>
	<datestamp>1265032560000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>A few I can think of off the top of my head:</p><p>1. The Andromeda galaxy<br>2. The Orion Nebula (second "star" in the sword)<br>3. The beehive cluster in the center of Cancer</p><p>Check one of the free open-source astronomy programs like KStars and look for deep sky objects below a certain magnitude (4.0 maybe).  There aren't a ton of them, but even a few are enough to capture a child's interest.</p><p>You could also see if you could put aside a night to look for a meteor shower, if it's the right time of year for one of the bigger ones (Perseids, Geminids, etc).  You can look for the ISS as it passes through your area.  There's a lot of great stuff to find the night sky besides the closer planets and craters of the Moon (though those are fun too).</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>A few I can think of off the top of my head : 1 .
The Andromeda galaxy2 .
The Orion Nebula ( second " star " in the sword ) 3 .
The beehive cluster in the center of CancerCheck one of the free open-source astronomy programs like KStars and look for deep sky objects below a certain magnitude ( 4.0 maybe ) .
There are n't a ton of them , but even a few are enough to capture a child 's interest.You could also see if you could put aside a night to look for a meteor shower , if it 's the right time of year for one of the bigger ones ( Perseids , Geminids , etc ) .
You can look for the ISS as it passes through your area .
There 's a lot of great stuff to find the night sky besides the closer planets and craters of the Moon ( though those are fun too ) .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>A few I can think of off the top of my head:1.
The Andromeda galaxy2.
The Orion Nebula (second "star" in the sword)3.
The beehive cluster in the center of CancerCheck one of the free open-source astronomy programs like KStars and look for deep sky objects below a certain magnitude (4.0 maybe).
There aren't a ton of them, but even a few are enough to capture a child's interest.You could also see if you could put aside a night to look for a meteor shower, if it's the right time of year for one of the bigger ones (Perseids, Geminids, etc).
You can look for the ISS as it passes through your area.
There's a lot of great stuff to find the night sky besides the closer planets and craters of the Moon (though those are fun too).</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31093968</id>
	<title>Map Planet Movements</title>
	<author>noelhenson</author>
	<datestamp>1265034240000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I'd try to get them to see that planets move differently than the background of stars. Mars, Jupter, Saturn and Venus can be used for this. Especially Venus because the course will take place in the spring. Even over a period of just one week visible displacement can be seen against the background (at the same time each morning or evening).</htmltext>
<tokenext>I 'd try to get them to see that planets move differently than the background of stars .
Mars , Jupter , Saturn and Venus can be used for this .
Especially Venus because the course will take place in the spring .
Even over a period of just one week visible displacement can be seen against the background ( at the same time each morning or evening ) .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I'd try to get them to see that planets move differently than the background of stars.
Mars, Jupter, Saturn and Venus can be used for this.
Especially Venus because the course will take place in the spring.
Even over a period of just one week visible displacement can be seen against the background (at the same time each morning or evening).</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092402</id>
	<title>ten best objects</title>
	<author>joeyblades</author>
	<datestamp>1265026020000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I started to type something up about my experiences, but then found this which was much better than what I was typing...</p><p><a href="http://irwincur.tripod.com/ten\_best\_obj\_-\_small\_telescope.htm" title="tripod.com">http://irwincur.tripod.com/ten\_best\_obj\_-\_small\_telescope.htm</a> [tripod.com]</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I started to type something up about my experiences , but then found this which was much better than what I was typing...http : //irwincur.tripod.com/ten \ _best \ _obj \ _- \ _small \ _telescope.htm [ tripod.com ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I started to type something up about my experiences, but then found this which was much better than what I was typing...http://irwincur.tripod.com/ten\_best\_obj\_-\_small\_telescope.htm [tripod.com]</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090834</id>
	<title>Venus</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019300000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>4</modscore>
	<htmltext><p> <b>Venus</b> will become an evening star in the next few months. If your observations are over a few weeks, it would be an excellent evening target as it will go through its phases, much like our own moon does. If the observations are around twilight, you can even have them attempt to see Venus while the sun is still up by looking in the same part of the sky when the sun is up. It gets harder with age(sigh) but I remember easily being able to do it when I was around the age of grade 9.
</p><p> <b>The Moon</b> focus on the shadow line, or a time when its around 1 week bfore a full moon, as the terminator(shadow) will show excellent surface relief of features.
</p><p> <b>Jupiter</b> will be probably be only an early morning target during that time, so thats probably out.
</p><p> <b>Saturn</b> isnt going to be a very good target, other than to show it as a planet, because it is in the part of its orbit where the rings are tilted almost edge on to earth.
</p><p> <b>Globular Clusters</b> M13 in Hercules would be an excellent target.
</p><p> <b>Planetary Nebula</b> The 'ring nebula' in the constellation Lyra will be a excellent target for evening viewing, if its late enough, as from most locations in the US it appears almost at the zenith
</p><p> <b>Double Stars</b> Even through a 4" scope you can see some amazing color contrasts. Albireo in the constellation Cygnus is one of the best, with one red, one blue star.
Also, you can go in to some detail about the different types of telescopes, and their functions.
</p><p>But most importantly, focus on the history of Astronomy itself. There is a rich history over thousands of years of astronomers that have taken us all the way to where we are now, and we wouldnt be here without those giants of the past; Gallileo Gallelie, Nikolas Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Charles Messier(hes the 'M' in all those objects...M13, M31, etc), Edwin Hubble, Edmund Halley.

</p><p>I envy you. Have Fun!</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Venus will become an evening star in the next few months .
If your observations are over a few weeks , it would be an excellent evening target as it will go through its phases , much like our own moon does .
If the observations are around twilight , you can even have them attempt to see Venus while the sun is still up by looking in the same part of the sky when the sun is up .
It gets harder with age ( sigh ) but I remember easily being able to do it when I was around the age of grade 9 .
The Moon focus on the shadow line , or a time when its around 1 week bfore a full moon , as the terminator ( shadow ) will show excellent surface relief of features .
Jupiter will be probably be only an early morning target during that time , so thats probably out .
Saturn isnt going to be a very good target , other than to show it as a planet , because it is in the part of its orbit where the rings are tilted almost edge on to earth .
Globular Clusters M13 in Hercules would be an excellent target .
Planetary Nebula The 'ring nebula ' in the constellation Lyra will be a excellent target for evening viewing , if its late enough , as from most locations in the US it appears almost at the zenith Double Stars Even through a 4 " scope you can see some amazing color contrasts .
Albireo in the constellation Cygnus is one of the best , with one red , one blue star .
Also , you can go in to some detail about the different types of telescopes , and their functions .
But most importantly , focus on the history of Astronomy itself .
There is a rich history over thousands of years of astronomers that have taken us all the way to where we are now , and we wouldnt be here without those giants of the past ; Gallileo Gallelie , Nikolas Copernicus , Tycho Brahe , Charles Messier ( hes the 'M ' in all those objects...M13 , M31 , etc ) , Edwin Hubble , Edmund Halley .
I envy you .
Have Fun !</tokentext>
<sentencetext> Venus will become an evening star in the next few months.
If your observations are over a few weeks, it would be an excellent evening target as it will go through its phases, much like our own moon does.
If the observations are around twilight, you can even have them attempt to see Venus while the sun is still up by looking in the same part of the sky when the sun is up.
It gets harder with age(sigh) but I remember easily being able to do it when I was around the age of grade 9.
The Moon focus on the shadow line, or a time when its around 1 week bfore a full moon, as the terminator(shadow) will show excellent surface relief of features.
Jupiter will be probably be only an early morning target during that time, so thats probably out.
Saturn isnt going to be a very good target, other than to show it as a planet, because it is in the part of its orbit where the rings are tilted almost edge on to earth.
Globular Clusters M13 in Hercules would be an excellent target.
Planetary Nebula The 'ring nebula' in the constellation Lyra will be a excellent target for evening viewing, if its late enough, as from most locations in the US it appears almost at the zenith
 Double Stars Even through a 4" scope you can see some amazing color contrasts.
Albireo in the constellation Cygnus is one of the best, with one red, one blue star.
Also, you can go in to some detail about the different types of telescopes, and their functions.
But most importantly, focus on the history of Astronomy itself.
There is a rich history over thousands of years of astronomers that have taken us all the way to where we are now, and we wouldnt be here without those giants of the past; Gallileo Gallelie, Nikolas Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Charles Messier(hes the 'M' in all those objects...M13, M31, etc), Edwin Hubble, Edmund Halley.
I envy you.
Have Fun!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090750</id>
	<title>Here are some things you can look at!</title>
	<author>CyberBill</author>
	<datestamp>1265019000000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext>Hi, I help run an astronomy group (San Diego Astronomy Association) and I think I can help you out - feel free to contact me directly if you have questions.<br>
<br>
Right now I would recommend showing off:<br>
The Pleiades (M45) -  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades\_(star\_cluster)" title="wikipedia.org">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades\_(star\_cluster)</a> [wikipedia.org] <br>
The Great Orion Nebula (M42) - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion\_Nebula" title="wikipedia.org">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion\_Nebula</a> [wikipedia.org] <br>
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andromeda\_galaxy" title="wikipedia.org">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andromeda\_galaxy</a> [wikipedia.org] <br>
<br>
You can also check out the planets - right now Mars is pretty close and bright, but it isn't much to look at through a 4" telescope.  You can show off Saturn, but it doesn't rise until kind of late.  You should be able to see the rings, but right now they are edge-on.<br>
<br>
Depending on where you are located, you may also be able to check out some smaller galaxies and nebula.  Also, depending on where you are located, get in contact with an astronomy group and see if you can visit a local amateur observatory.  We have a site about an hour from down town San Diego where we have a 22" telescope available for public viewing once a month and we also have public events held almost weekly where we bring telescopes generally around 10" in size (I bring my 16" on clear nights).<br>
<br>
Others have joked about using your telescope to point at the Sun - obviously don't do it.  Even pointing the scope at the Sun will permanently destroy eyepieces and coatings on optics - and if you happen to look through it, say good bye to your vision.  Permanently.  However, if you can get yourself a solar filter to put over the telescope, you can safely observe the Sun - which is pretty interesting.  You should be able to see sun spots and perhaps prominences with the right kind of filter.<br>
<br>
Good luck, and clear skies!<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)</htmltext>
<tokenext>Hi , I help run an astronomy group ( San Diego Astronomy Association ) and I think I can help you out - feel free to contact me directly if you have questions .
Right now I would recommend showing off : The Pleiades ( M45 ) - http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades \ _ ( star \ _cluster ) [ wikipedia.org ] The Great Orion Nebula ( M42 ) - http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion \ _Nebula [ wikipedia.org ] The Andromeda Galaxy ( M31 ) - http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andromeda \ _galaxy [ wikipedia.org ] You can also check out the planets - right now Mars is pretty close and bright , but it is n't much to look at through a 4 " telescope .
You can show off Saturn , but it does n't rise until kind of late .
You should be able to see the rings , but right now they are edge-on .
Depending on where you are located , you may also be able to check out some smaller galaxies and nebula .
Also , depending on where you are located , get in contact with an astronomy group and see if you can visit a local amateur observatory .
We have a site about an hour from down town San Diego where we have a 22 " telescope available for public viewing once a month and we also have public events held almost weekly where we bring telescopes generally around 10 " in size ( I bring my 16 " on clear nights ) .
Others have joked about using your telescope to point at the Sun - obviously do n't do it .
Even pointing the scope at the Sun will permanently destroy eyepieces and coatings on optics - and if you happen to look through it , say good bye to your vision .
Permanently. However , if you can get yourself a solar filter to put over the telescope , you can safely observe the Sun - which is pretty interesting .
You should be able to see sun spots and perhaps prominences with the right kind of filter .
Good luck , and clear skies !
: )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Hi, I help run an astronomy group (San Diego Astronomy Association) and I think I can help you out - feel free to contact me directly if you have questions.
Right now I would recommend showing off:
The Pleiades (M45) -  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades\_(star\_cluster) [wikipedia.org] 
The Great Orion Nebula (M42) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion\_Nebula [wikipedia.org] 
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andromeda\_galaxy [wikipedia.org] 

You can also check out the planets - right now Mars is pretty close and bright, but it isn't much to look at through a 4" telescope.
You can show off Saturn, but it doesn't rise until kind of late.
You should be able to see the rings, but right now they are edge-on.
Depending on where you are located, you may also be able to check out some smaller galaxies and nebula.
Also, depending on where you are located, get in contact with an astronomy group and see if you can visit a local amateur observatory.
We have a site about an hour from down town San Diego where we have a 22" telescope available for public viewing once a month and we also have public events held almost weekly where we bring telescopes generally around 10" in size (I bring my 16" on clear nights).
Others have joked about using your telescope to point at the Sun - obviously don't do it.
Even pointing the scope at the Sun will permanently destroy eyepieces and coatings on optics - and if you happen to look through it, say good bye to your vision.
Permanently.  However, if you can get yourself a solar filter to put over the telescope, you can safely observe the Sun - which is pretty interesting.
You should be able to see sun spots and perhaps prominences with the right kind of filter.
Good luck, and clear skies!
:)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090830</id>
	<title>Heavenly bodies</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019300000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><i>We will probably only be able to attempt observations on a couple of nights because of weather and time restrictions. I am as new to telescope use as my students, so I have no idea what objects would look good through a 4" lens.</i>
<br> <br>
Are you in the Santa Monica area? If so, answer is obvious.
<br> <br>
<i>In other words, how can I make best use of my limited equipment and time to give my students the best experience possible?</i>
<br> <br>
DO NOT go there!</htmltext>
<tokenext>We will probably only be able to attempt observations on a couple of nights because of weather and time restrictions .
I am as new to telescope use as my students , so I have no idea what objects would look good through a 4 " lens .
Are you in the Santa Monica area ?
If so , answer is obvious .
In other words , how can I make best use of my limited equipment and time to give my students the best experience possible ?
DO NOT go there !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>We will probably only be able to attempt observations on a couple of nights because of weather and time restrictions.
I am as new to telescope use as my students, so I have no idea what objects would look good through a 4" lens.
Are you in the Santa Monica area?
If so, answer is obvious.
In other words, how can I make best use of my limited equipment and time to give my students the best experience possible?
DO NOT go there!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091638</id>
	<title>Fergal</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265022420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Watch Jupiter's moons. The orbital periods are a few days to about a month for the Galilean moons. Have them chart the separation between Jupiter and and each moon, and they should be able to measure the orbits even if they only get a night or two a week. Then have them test Kepler's laws of motion. It may not be cutting edge, but it is science, and there's pedagogical value in reproducing historical results.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Watch Jupiter 's moons .
The orbital periods are a few days to about a month for the Galilean moons .
Have them chart the separation between Jupiter and and each moon , and they should be able to measure the orbits even if they only get a night or two a week .
Then have them test Kepler 's laws of motion .
It may not be cutting edge , but it is science , and there 's pedagogical value in reproducing historical results .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Watch Jupiter's moons.
The orbital periods are a few days to about a month for the Galilean moons.
Have them chart the separation between Jupiter and and each moon, and they should be able to measure the orbits even if they only get a night or two a week.
Then have them test Kepler's laws of motion.
It may not be cutting edge, but it is science, and there's pedagogical value in reproducing historical results.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31095374</id>
	<title>The Pleiades / Andromeda M31 / Jupiter</title>
	<author>wintermute3</author>
	<datestamp>1265043120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>With a small scope, your best bet is low magnification so you get good brightness.  If you can get sufficient brightness, the Pleiades are magnificent.  The stars are jewel colors!  The Andromeda galaxy is a pretty good target as well, as is Jupiter.  Saturn is a much smaller image than Jupiter due to distance, and you won't be able to magnify it enough to see colors with a small scope.  In general, try the low-number M objects.  They are low numbers because they were the first to be catalogs, hence in general low-hanging fruit as it were.</p><p>Also, something amateurs often overlook is using binoculars for astronomy.  The image-stabilized ones are particularly excellent for hand-held use.  Once again, light-gathering power is the goal, not magnification.</p><p>- Michael</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>With a small scope , your best bet is low magnification so you get good brightness .
If you can get sufficient brightness , the Pleiades are magnificent .
The stars are jewel colors !
The Andromeda galaxy is a pretty good target as well , as is Jupiter .
Saturn is a much smaller image than Jupiter due to distance , and you wo n't be able to magnify it enough to see colors with a small scope .
In general , try the low-number M objects .
They are low numbers because they were the first to be catalogs , hence in general low-hanging fruit as it were.Also , something amateurs often overlook is using binoculars for astronomy .
The image-stabilized ones are particularly excellent for hand-held use .
Once again , light-gathering power is the goal , not magnification.- Michael</tokentext>
<sentencetext>With a small scope, your best bet is low magnification so you get good brightness.
If you can get sufficient brightness, the Pleiades are magnificent.
The stars are jewel colors!
The Andromeda galaxy is a pretty good target as well, as is Jupiter.
Saturn is a much smaller image than Jupiter due to distance, and you won't be able to magnify it enough to see colors with a small scope.
In general, try the low-number M objects.
They are low numbers because they were the first to be catalogs, hence in general low-hanging fruit as it were.Also, something amateurs often overlook is using binoculars for astronomy.
The image-stabilized ones are particularly excellent for hand-held use.
Once again, light-gathering power is the goal, not magnification.- Michael</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090920</id>
	<title>Focal Length, type?</title>
	<author>CokeJunky</author>
	<datestamp>1265019720000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>4" is a wide definition.  The focal length, optical type (a 4" refactor is a very different beast than a 4" reflector, and there are lots of options in-between), and available eyepieces factor in.  None the less, planetary targets are usually impressive.</p><p>The moon is always a good choice.  Don't wait for a full moon -- partial phases are more interesting because the lighting and shadows emphasize just how bumpy the moon is.</p><p>I have a 4" F13 scope (roughly 52" focal length -- 1350mm), and it's not bad for brighter nebulae as well, such as M42 in orion, and galaxies such as the Andromeda galaxy.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>4 " is a wide definition .
The focal length , optical type ( a 4 " refactor is a very different beast than a 4 " reflector , and there are lots of options in-between ) , and available eyepieces factor in .
None the less , planetary targets are usually impressive.The moon is always a good choice .
Do n't wait for a full moon -- partial phases are more interesting because the lighting and shadows emphasize just how bumpy the moon is.I have a 4 " F13 scope ( roughly 52 " focal length -- 1350mm ) , and it 's not bad for brighter nebulae as well , such as M42 in orion , and galaxies such as the Andromeda galaxy .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>4" is a wide definition.
The focal length, optical type (a 4" refactor is a very different beast than a 4" reflector, and there are lots of options in-between), and available eyepieces factor in.
None the less, planetary targets are usually impressive.The moon is always a good choice.
Don't wait for a full moon -- partial phases are more interesting because the lighting and shadows emphasize just how bumpy the moon is.I have a 4" F13 scope (roughly 52" focal length -- 1350mm), and it's not bad for brighter nebulae as well, such as M42 in orion, and galaxies such as the Andromeda galaxy.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31095068</id>
	<title>Contact your local astronomy society</title>
	<author>paul.hatchman</author>
	<datestamp>1265040660000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>The best advice I can give is to please, please, please contact your local amateur astrononical club or society.

Starting out in astronomy by yourself is hard, even without the pressure of entertaining a bunch of kids at the same time. Most astronomical societies will be more than happy to help out with volunteers, telescopes or just some training on how to use your telescope and locate some bright objects.

My society has teamed up with quite a few schools in the past and it has worked out really well for both groups.</htmltext>
<tokenext>The best advice I can give is to please , please , please contact your local amateur astrononical club or society .
Starting out in astronomy by yourself is hard , even without the pressure of entertaining a bunch of kids at the same time .
Most astronomical societies will be more than happy to help out with volunteers , telescopes or just some training on how to use your telescope and locate some bright objects .
My society has teamed up with quite a few schools in the past and it has worked out really well for both groups .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The best advice I can give is to please, please, please contact your local amateur astrononical club or society.
Starting out in astronomy by yourself is hard, even without the pressure of entertaining a bunch of kids at the same time.
Most astronomical societies will be more than happy to help out with volunteers, telescopes or just some training on how to use your telescope and locate some bright objects.
My society has teamed up with quite a few schools in the past and it has worked out really well for both groups.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091020</id>
	<title>Like everyone else says, go for the moon</title>
	<author>boristhespider</author>
	<datestamp>1265020140000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Do *not* go for the full moon, the light washes out all the interesting stuff. Go at a waxing or waning moon, and look along the line of shadow to properly see the craters. Also, be warned, it hurts like crazy if you're not careful. There's enough light coming off even the moon to nuke your eye unless you filter it.</p><p>As for stars, be warned that even on a clear night the "seeing" is likely to be poor unless the air's really still. The "seeing" is basically how much the moving air pushes the image around as it's coming down, and unless the night is very still indeed it absolutely kills stars -- they're just pinpricks of light, and they'll jump around in your view like crazy. It will also tend to blur even Saturn and Jupiter, but certainly go for Saturn anyway. Jupiter's worthwhile if you've got quite a few well-spread nights to view on, so that you can see how the moons move. You can get them to draw Jupiter and its moons, and compare their pictures over the course of a month or two. Otherwise it's probably not going to be all that exciting unless you're very lucky and get to see some of the bands.</p><p>Pleiades is a good call, as is the Orion nebula. Also, Betelgeuse so the kids can see how damned *red* the star actually is -- I find that's much clearer through a telescope than to the naked eye. Otherwise I'd stick to planets and the moon because the seeing could well be a killer.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Do * not * go for the full moon , the light washes out all the interesting stuff .
Go at a waxing or waning moon , and look along the line of shadow to properly see the craters .
Also , be warned , it hurts like crazy if you 're not careful .
There 's enough light coming off even the moon to nuke your eye unless you filter it.As for stars , be warned that even on a clear night the " seeing " is likely to be poor unless the air 's really still .
The " seeing " is basically how much the moving air pushes the image around as it 's coming down , and unless the night is very still indeed it absolutely kills stars -- they 're just pinpricks of light , and they 'll jump around in your view like crazy .
It will also tend to blur even Saturn and Jupiter , but certainly go for Saturn anyway .
Jupiter 's worthwhile if you 've got quite a few well-spread nights to view on , so that you can see how the moons move .
You can get them to draw Jupiter and its moons , and compare their pictures over the course of a month or two .
Otherwise it 's probably not going to be all that exciting unless you 're very lucky and get to see some of the bands.Pleiades is a good call , as is the Orion nebula .
Also , Betelgeuse so the kids can see how damned * red * the star actually is -- I find that 's much clearer through a telescope than to the naked eye .
Otherwise I 'd stick to planets and the moon because the seeing could well be a killer .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Do *not* go for the full moon, the light washes out all the interesting stuff.
Go at a waxing or waning moon, and look along the line of shadow to properly see the craters.
Also, be warned, it hurts like crazy if you're not careful.
There's enough light coming off even the moon to nuke your eye unless you filter it.As for stars, be warned that even on a clear night the "seeing" is likely to be poor unless the air's really still.
The "seeing" is basically how much the moving air pushes the image around as it's coming down, and unless the night is very still indeed it absolutely kills stars -- they're just pinpricks of light, and they'll jump around in your view like crazy.
It will also tend to blur even Saturn and Jupiter, but certainly go for Saturn anyway.
Jupiter's worthwhile if you've got quite a few well-spread nights to view on, so that you can see how the moons move.
You can get them to draw Jupiter and its moons, and compare their pictures over the course of a month or two.
Otherwise it's probably not going to be all that exciting unless you're very lucky and get to see some of the bands.Pleiades is a good call, as is the Orion nebula.
Also, Betelgeuse so the kids can see how damned *red* the star actually is -- I find that's much clearer through a telescope than to the naked eye.
Otherwise I'd stick to planets and the moon because the seeing could well be a killer.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31096068</id>
	<title>My experience</title>
	<author>Tablizer</author>
	<datestamp>1265048340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>As someone who's owned a small refractor scope since the early 80's, I would put the order roughly thus:</p><p>* Moon at about 1/3 to 2/5 lit: A sure thriller and can be done a dusk<br>* Saturn - A bit small, but the rings are clearly noticeable most years, making it an instant classic. However, it has a "thin" tilt currently.<br>* Jupiter - May take practice to spot bands, but its moons are a treat<br>* Orion nebula - May not work well near cities<br>* Andromeda galaxy<br>* Venus if in its crescent phase<br>* Sun projected if there are visible spots. Bonus during partial eclipse.<br>* A larger globular cluster (I'd have to think to name which)<br>* Ring nebula - One of the better summer objects<br>* Pleiades - May be hard to spot nebula, but at least plenty of stars are visible</p><p>Mars usually disappoints beginners. For most nebulas, you need a dark area away from big towns. Stick with planets and moon for cities.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>As someone who 's owned a small refractor scope since the early 80 's , I would put the order roughly thus : * Moon at about 1/3 to 2/5 lit : A sure thriller and can be done a dusk * Saturn - A bit small , but the rings are clearly noticeable most years , making it an instant classic .
However , it has a " thin " tilt currently .
* Jupiter - May take practice to spot bands , but its moons are a treat * Orion nebula - May not work well near cities * Andromeda galaxy * Venus if in its crescent phase * Sun projected if there are visible spots .
Bonus during partial eclipse .
* A larger globular cluster ( I 'd have to think to name which ) * Ring nebula - One of the better summer objects * Pleiades - May be hard to spot nebula , but at least plenty of stars are visibleMars usually disappoints beginners .
For most nebulas , you need a dark area away from big towns .
Stick with planets and moon for cities .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>As someone who's owned a small refractor scope since the early 80's, I would put the order roughly thus:* Moon at about 1/3 to 2/5 lit: A sure thriller and can be done a dusk* Saturn - A bit small, but the rings are clearly noticeable most years, making it an instant classic.
However, it has a "thin" tilt currently.
* Jupiter - May take practice to spot bands, but its moons are a treat* Orion nebula - May not work well near cities* Andromeda galaxy* Venus if in its crescent phase* Sun projected if there are visible spots.
Bonus during partial eclipse.
* A larger globular cluster (I'd have to think to name which)* Ring nebula - One of the better summer objects* Pleiades - May be hard to spot nebula, but at least plenty of stars are visibleMars usually disappoints beginners.
For most nebulas, you need a dark area away from big towns.
Stick with planets and moon for cities.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091170</id>
	<title>With low expectations set, Start with Galileo</title>
	<author>viking80</author>
	<datestamp>1265020740000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>First, The universe is, on a large scale uniform. That basically means the sky will look the same in any telescope: Black with white dots. That in itself in an important fact worth seeing, but quite boring.</p><p>Second, The images on Google Sky and other all star surveys have spoiled us, and we all expect spectacular full color images. What you actually see will never meet this. Expect some disappointment.</p><p>With expectations set, I would focus on what is not uniform: First tie it all in with Google earth, and history from a geocentric to a heliocentric view. Look at what Galileo looked at from our moon to the Jovian moons, and how this changed mankind.</p><p>Look at some galaxies, and find one that looks like ours. Again combine with Google Sky.</p><p>Also use the telescope to look at our star, the sun: Aim the telescope at the sun, and project the image onto the wall. DO NOT LOOK INTO THE TELESCOPE. You should have a 2 meter diameter projection of our sun on the wall. Features like sunspots should be clear and sharp.<br>Depending on time and class:<br>1. Use the 'scope and a green laser to measure distance to moon.<br>2. Measure redshift of nearby galaxies see <a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-02Electricity-and-MagnetismSpring2002/VideoAndCaptions/detail/embed35.htmconvertingredshiftintoradialvelocity" title="mit.edu">http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-02Electricity-and-MagnetismSpring2002/VideoAndCaptions/detail/embed35.htmconvertingredshiftintoradialvelocity</a> [mit.edu]<br>3. Use as an accurate sextant, measure size of earth<br>4. Track IIS and satellites<br>5. Do a parallax calculation using some nearby stars. Picking good candidates are part of the exercise.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>First , The universe is , on a large scale uniform .
That basically means the sky will look the same in any telescope : Black with white dots .
That in itself in an important fact worth seeing , but quite boring.Second , The images on Google Sky and other all star surveys have spoiled us , and we all expect spectacular full color images .
What you actually see will never meet this .
Expect some disappointment.With expectations set , I would focus on what is not uniform : First tie it all in with Google earth , and history from a geocentric to a heliocentric view .
Look at what Galileo looked at from our moon to the Jovian moons , and how this changed mankind.Look at some galaxies , and find one that looks like ours .
Again combine with Google Sky.Also use the telescope to look at our star , the sun : Aim the telescope at the sun , and project the image onto the wall .
DO NOT LOOK INTO THE TELESCOPE .
You should have a 2 meter diameter projection of our sun on the wall .
Features like sunspots should be clear and sharp.Depending on time and class : 1 .
Use the 'scope and a green laser to measure distance to moon.2 .
Measure redshift of nearby galaxies see http : //ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-02Electricity-and-MagnetismSpring2002/VideoAndCaptions/detail/embed35.htmconvertingredshiftintoradialvelocity [ mit.edu ] 3 .
Use as an accurate sextant , measure size of earth4 .
Track IIS and satellites5 .
Do a parallax calculation using some nearby stars .
Picking good candidates are part of the exercise .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>First, The universe is, on a large scale uniform.
That basically means the sky will look the same in any telescope: Black with white dots.
That in itself in an important fact worth seeing, but quite boring.Second, The images on Google Sky and other all star surveys have spoiled us, and we all expect spectacular full color images.
What you actually see will never meet this.
Expect some disappointment.With expectations set, I would focus on what is not uniform: First tie it all in with Google earth, and history from a geocentric to a heliocentric view.
Look at what Galileo looked at from our moon to the Jovian moons, and how this changed mankind.Look at some galaxies, and find one that looks like ours.
Again combine with Google Sky.Also use the telescope to look at our star, the sun: Aim the telescope at the sun, and project the image onto the wall.
DO NOT LOOK INTO THE TELESCOPE.
You should have a 2 meter diameter projection of our sun on the wall.
Features like sunspots should be clear and sharp.Depending on time and class:1.
Use the 'scope and a green laser to measure distance to moon.2.
Measure redshift of nearby galaxies see http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-02Electricity-and-MagnetismSpring2002/VideoAndCaptions/detail/embed35.htmconvertingredshiftintoradialvelocity [mit.edu]3.
Use as an accurate sextant, measure size of earth4.
Track IIS and satellites5.
Do a parallax calculation using some nearby stars.
Picking good candidates are part of the exercise.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31096452</id>
	<title>Wide field</title>
	<author>ChrisMaple</author>
	<datestamp>1265052360000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>If you have an old 35mm SLR with a removable standard 50mm lens, you may be able to stick the lens on the back of your telescope as a replacement for the normal eyepiece. Having the moon cover almost your entire field of vision is an experience not soon forgotten.</htmltext>
<tokenext>If you have an old 35mm SLR with a removable standard 50mm lens , you may be able to stick the lens on the back of your telescope as a replacement for the normal eyepiece .
Having the moon cover almost your entire field of vision is an experience not soon forgotten .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>If you have an old 35mm SLR with a removable standard 50mm lens, you may be able to stick the lens on the back of your telescope as a replacement for the normal eyepiece.
Having the moon cover almost your entire field of vision is an experience not soon forgotten.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31097680</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>mlush</author>
	<datestamp>1265887980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I understand that using a Newt to project the sun can trash the optics.  I guess the secondary mirror can crack under the thermal stess.</htmltext>
<tokenext>I understand that using a Newt to project the sun can trash the optics .
I guess the secondary mirror can crack under the thermal stess .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I understand that using a Newt to project the sun can trash the optics.
I guess the secondary mirror can crack under the thermal stess.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091062</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090954</id>
	<title>Anonymous coward</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019840000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I've worked a bit in astronomy with the public. While I've not looked through a telescope for ages:</p><p>The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer.<br>Was the book we recommended most of the time. Very good source of info on everything.</p><p>If you are new to it.<br>A) Familiarize yourself with the sky with the naked eye. Use a starfinder, learn major constellation.<br>B) You can use a pair of binocular for a lot of objects.<br>C) Planet are always easy to spot, check on the net where they are at the moment. Saturn, Jupiter, Mars are always a hit.<br>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Saturn and Jupiter are the most interesting thing to watch for beginners.<br>D) Look at known stars that are double/triple stars. The easiest to spot is in the tail of the big dipper.<br>E) Stars have different colors. I don't remember on the spot and I'm at work, but there is blue/red/yellow stars.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I 've worked a bit in astronomy with the public .
While I 've not looked through a telescope for ages : The Backyard Astronomer 's Guide by Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer.Was the book we recommended most of the time .
Very good source of info on everything.If you are new to it.A ) Familiarize yourself with the sky with the naked eye .
Use a starfinder , learn major constellation.B ) You can use a pair of binocular for a lot of objects.C ) Planet are always easy to spot , check on the net where they are at the moment .
Saturn , Jupiter , Mars are always a hit .
          Saturn and Jupiter are the most interesting thing to watch for beginners.D ) Look at known stars that are double/triple stars .
The easiest to spot is in the tail of the big dipper.E ) Stars have different colors .
I do n't remember on the spot and I 'm at work , but there is blue/red/yellow stars .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I've worked a bit in astronomy with the public.
While I've not looked through a telescope for ages:The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer.Was the book we recommended most of the time.
Very good source of info on everything.If you are new to it.A) Familiarize yourself with the sky with the naked eye.
Use a starfinder, learn major constellation.B) You can use a pair of binocular for a lot of objects.C) Planet are always easy to spot, check on the net where they are at the moment.
Saturn, Jupiter, Mars are always a hit.
          Saturn and Jupiter are the most interesting thing to watch for beginners.D) Look at known stars that are double/triple stars.
The easiest to spot is in the tail of the big dipper.E) Stars have different colors.
I don't remember on the spot and I'm at work, but there is blue/red/yellow stars.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092458</id>
	<title>Re:Venus</title>
	<author>CheshireCatCO</author>
	<datestamp>1265026440000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>As an astronomy professor and long-time amateur observer, I second this list very strongly.  (It was the list I was basically going to post, only not as well written.)</p><p>Choose a good mix of these and the students will come away happy and a little smarter for the experience, well worth the effort.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>As an astronomy professor and long-time amateur observer , I second this list very strongly .
( It was the list I was basically going to post , only not as well written .
) Choose a good mix of these and the students will come away happy and a little smarter for the experience , well worth the effort .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>As an astronomy professor and long-time amateur observer, I second this list very strongly.
(It was the list I was basically going to post, only not as well written.
)Choose a good mix of these and the students will come away happy and a little smarter for the experience, well worth the effort.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090834</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090622</id>
	<title>Check these out</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265018460000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Check this link out it's the one I have used for several years for other Astronomy classes,<br>All of the objects listed can be seen with a small telescope (4 - 6")... there are several targets on the list so check them out in advance and see what's best visible in your region.</p><p>http://irwincur.tripod.com/ten\_best\_obj\_-\_small\_telescope.htm</p><p>I'm also fairly sure the NASA website has a very good list of targets including space junk and satelites that can be seen and I know the space station can be seen with a 4" scope depending on the time of year and your region, you just need to use the start chart index on their page.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Check this link out it 's the one I have used for several years for other Astronomy classes,All of the objects listed can be seen with a small telescope ( 4 - 6 " ) ... there are several targets on the list so check them out in advance and see what 's best visible in your region.http : //irwincur.tripod.com/ten \ _best \ _obj \ _- \ _small \ _telescope.htmI 'm also fairly sure the NASA website has a very good list of targets including space junk and satelites that can be seen and I know the space station can be seen with a 4 " scope depending on the time of year and your region , you just need to use the start chart index on their page .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Check this link out it's the one I have used for several years for other Astronomy classes,All of the objects listed can be seen with a small telescope (4 - 6")... there are several targets on the list so check them out in advance and see what's best visible in your region.http://irwincur.tripod.com/ten\_best\_obj\_-\_small\_telescope.htmI'm also fairly sure the NASA website has a very good list of targets including space junk and satelites that can be seen and I know the space station can be seen with a 4" scope depending on the time of year and your region, you just need to use the start chart index on their page.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091734</id>
	<title>Not just what, but when and how</title>
	<author>wronkiew</author>
	<datestamp>1265022840000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>The previous comments list some good targets. When you go looking for them with your 4" telescope, here are some suggestions for giving your students the best viewing experience.

First off, when hunting for deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebula, wait for the Moon to go away. Otherwise it will light up the sky and wash everything out. Also, you're lucky if you live in a rural area, but if you don't, see if you can get away from the city lights.

Bringing a chair or, even better, an adjustable stool will help your students to look through the telescope. This gives your eye some stability and is usually compared to increasing your aperture by an inch or so in terms of the detail you will see.

Have your students sketch what they see. If they've forgotten how to draw, have them take some photos of the Moon through the telescope with their cell phones. It's easy to look at Mars and see a red ball, but if you have to draw it on a piece of paper, you notice all the details that you would have otherwise ignored.

Finally, some color filters might be a good investment. They can help increase the contrast for planetary targets, you can swap them out and compare what you see with each color, and you can have your students come up with an explanation why they see different details through each filter.</htmltext>
<tokenext>The previous comments list some good targets .
When you go looking for them with your 4 " telescope , here are some suggestions for giving your students the best viewing experience .
First off , when hunting for deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebula , wait for the Moon to go away .
Otherwise it will light up the sky and wash everything out .
Also , you 're lucky if you live in a rural area , but if you do n't , see if you can get away from the city lights .
Bringing a chair or , even better , an adjustable stool will help your students to look through the telescope .
This gives your eye some stability and is usually compared to increasing your aperture by an inch or so in terms of the detail you will see .
Have your students sketch what they see .
If they 've forgotten how to draw , have them take some photos of the Moon through the telescope with their cell phones .
It 's easy to look at Mars and see a red ball , but if you have to draw it on a piece of paper , you notice all the details that you would have otherwise ignored .
Finally , some color filters might be a good investment .
They can help increase the contrast for planetary targets , you can swap them out and compare what you see with each color , and you can have your students come up with an explanation why they see different details through each filter .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The previous comments list some good targets.
When you go looking for them with your 4" telescope, here are some suggestions for giving your students the best viewing experience.
First off, when hunting for deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebula, wait for the Moon to go away.
Otherwise it will light up the sky and wash everything out.
Also, you're lucky if you live in a rural area, but if you don't, see if you can get away from the city lights.
Bringing a chair or, even better, an adjustable stool will help your students to look through the telescope.
This gives your eye some stability and is usually compared to increasing your aperture by an inch or so in terms of the detail you will see.
Have your students sketch what they see.
If they've forgotten how to draw, have them take some photos of the Moon through the telescope with their cell phones.
It's easy to look at Mars and see a red ball, but if you have to draw it on a piece of paper, you notice all the details that you would have otherwise ignored.
Finally, some color filters might be a good investment.
They can help increase the contrast for planetary targets, you can swap them out and compare what you see with each color, and you can have your students come up with an explanation why they see different details through each filter.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090530</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>nitro316</author>
	<datestamp>1265018160000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext>You beat me to it by 2 seconds.

you sir, are a bastard and a charlatan

Looking through a telescope at the sun will be an experience they will never forget.</htmltext>
<tokenext>You beat me to it by 2 seconds .
you sir , are a bastard and a charlatan Looking through a telescope at the sun will be an experience they will never forget .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>You beat me to it by 2 seconds.
you sir, are a bastard and a charlatan

Looking through a telescope at the sun will be an experience they will never forget.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31098064</id>
	<title>use the Internet</title>
	<author>ei4anb</author>
	<datestamp>1265892480000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>There are also automated telescopes connected to the Internet. The school my children attend (in Europe) has access to the Faulkes Telescopes <a href="http://faulkes-telescope.com/" title="faulkes-telescope.com">http://faulkes-telescope.com/</a> [faulkes-telescope.com] They can choose what to observe and direct the telescope during their allotted time slot.<p>There are others, Google for them. Give the children the experience of using a telescope outside so they have a feeling for what is real and then show them via the Internet what a larger telescope can resolve.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There are also automated telescopes connected to the Internet .
The school my children attend ( in Europe ) has access to the Faulkes Telescopes http : //faulkes-telescope.com/ [ faulkes-telescope.com ] They can choose what to observe and direct the telescope during their allotted time slot.There are others , Google for them .
Give the children the experience of using a telescope outside so they have a feeling for what is real and then show them via the Internet what a larger telescope can resolve .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There are also automated telescopes connected to the Internet.
The school my children attend (in Europe) has access to the Faulkes Telescopes http://faulkes-telescope.com/ [faulkes-telescope.com] They can choose what to observe and direct the telescope during their allotted time slot.There are others, Google for them.
Give the children the experience of using a telescope outside so they have a feeling for what is real and then show them via the Internet what a larger telescope can resolve.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092340</id>
	<title>Try CloudyNights Website</title>
	<author>OldSoldier</author>
	<datestamp>1265025600000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Try the forums on cloudynights.com <a href="http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat=" title="cloudynights.com">http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat=</a> [cloudynights.com]</p><p>The nice thing about that site is<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... if some of its members are close to your school, they can EASILY be talked into doing a show for you. Amateur astronomers love to show off their scopes and in general walk newbies through the night sky.</p><p>You didn't say whether you had a 4 inch reflector or a 4 inch refractor. I'm assuming a mirror scope. If you got it cheaply, the higher quality one would be the mirror one, but collomating a dobsonian, while easy, is not immediately obvious to newbies.</p><p>Also, ask this question from the point of view of binoculars. Many large objects in the night sky can be viewed with binoculars and those should also be good in a 4" dobsonian. Note, if you have a cheap 4" refractor, then it's a bit of a crap shoot as to whether you'll be able to get good views.</p><p>M42 - the great Orion Nebula should still be visible early evening in April. It's amazing<br>Double stars may be good. There's one in the handle of the big dipper. There's also one near Vega which will be rising starting in early evening in April. There are a ton of others, but these 2 (4?) should be pretty easy to find.<br>Also, "Carbon Stars" are fun. Just google and look around for them. Most stars do not show colors, but carbon stars are very obviously red and again they're all over the place.</p><p>Unfortunately April is when the Andromeda galaxy is too low in the sky for the early evening. Try again in the summer.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Try the forums on cloudynights.com http : //www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php ? Cat = [ cloudynights.com ] The nice thing about that site is ... if some of its members are close to your school , they can EASILY be talked into doing a show for you .
Amateur astronomers love to show off their scopes and in general walk newbies through the night sky.You did n't say whether you had a 4 inch reflector or a 4 inch refractor .
I 'm assuming a mirror scope .
If you got it cheaply , the higher quality one would be the mirror one , but collomating a dobsonian , while easy , is not immediately obvious to newbies.Also , ask this question from the point of view of binoculars .
Many large objects in the night sky can be viewed with binoculars and those should also be good in a 4 " dobsonian .
Note , if you have a cheap 4 " refractor , then it 's a bit of a crap shoot as to whether you 'll be able to get good views.M42 - the great Orion Nebula should still be visible early evening in April .
It 's amazingDouble stars may be good .
There 's one in the handle of the big dipper .
There 's also one near Vega which will be rising starting in early evening in April .
There are a ton of others , but these 2 ( 4 ?
) should be pretty easy to find.Also , " Carbon Stars " are fun .
Just google and look around for them .
Most stars do not show colors , but carbon stars are very obviously red and again they 're all over the place.Unfortunately April is when the Andromeda galaxy is too low in the sky for the early evening .
Try again in the summer .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Try the forums on cloudynights.com http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat= [cloudynights.com]The nice thing about that site is ... if some of its members are close to your school, they can EASILY be talked into doing a show for you.
Amateur astronomers love to show off their scopes and in general walk newbies through the night sky.You didn't say whether you had a 4 inch reflector or a 4 inch refractor.
I'm assuming a mirror scope.
If you got it cheaply, the higher quality one would be the mirror one, but collomating a dobsonian, while easy, is not immediately obvious to newbies.Also, ask this question from the point of view of binoculars.
Many large objects in the night sky can be viewed with binoculars and those should also be good in a 4" dobsonian.
Note, if you have a cheap 4" refractor, then it's a bit of a crap shoot as to whether you'll be able to get good views.M42 - the great Orion Nebula should still be visible early evening in April.
It's amazingDouble stars may be good.
There's one in the handle of the big dipper.
There's also one near Vega which will be rising starting in early evening in April.
There are a ton of others, but these 2 (4?
) should be pretty easy to find.Also, "Carbon Stars" are fun.
Just google and look around for them.
Most stars do not show colors, but carbon stars are very obviously red and again they're all over the place.Unfortunately April is when the Andromeda galaxy is too low in the sky for the early evening.
Try again in the summer.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092952</id>
	<title>Celestia and Stellarium for classroom presentation</title>
	<author>caseih</author>
	<datestamp>1265029380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>In addition to a real telescope, programs like Celestia[1] and Stellarium[2] may be appropriate for classroom use.  They are both available on Mac, Linux, and Windows.  Stellarium can show you the sky as you'd see it with the naked eye, with a telescope, or up close (say to a planet).  I remember thinking how interesting it was to use Celestia to fly a long ways away from the earth and see the constellations change and move kind of like Star Trek's Stellar Cartography.  It's kind of fun to fly directly to the stars in Orion's belt and have everything move accurately.  Really reinforced the idea the constellations only make sense from here on earth and that they are really stars in 3-D, which is easy to forget just gazing up at the sky.  Fascinating stuff.</p><p>Maybe with a couple of LCD projectors you could build your own planetarium with Stellarium[3].</p><p>Beyond that, in future years, doing your own CCD photography may be beneficial for the kids you teach.  People are taking pretty neat pictures with backyard reflectors, such as yours, and hacked web cams.</p><p>[1] <a href="http://www.shatters.net/celestia" title="shatters.net">http://www.shatters.net/celestia</a> [shatters.net]<br>[2] <a href="http://www.stellarium.org/" title="stellarium.org">http://www.stellarium.org/</a> [stellarium.org]<br>[3] <a href="http://www.stellarium.org/wiki/index.php/Building\_your\_own\_dome" title="stellarium.org">http://www.stellarium.org/wiki/index.php/Building\_your\_own\_dome</a> [stellarium.org]</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>In addition to a real telescope , programs like Celestia [ 1 ] and Stellarium [ 2 ] may be appropriate for classroom use .
They are both available on Mac , Linux , and Windows .
Stellarium can show you the sky as you 'd see it with the naked eye , with a telescope , or up close ( say to a planet ) .
I remember thinking how interesting it was to use Celestia to fly a long ways away from the earth and see the constellations change and move kind of like Star Trek 's Stellar Cartography .
It 's kind of fun to fly directly to the stars in Orion 's belt and have everything move accurately .
Really reinforced the idea the constellations only make sense from here on earth and that they are really stars in 3-D , which is easy to forget just gazing up at the sky .
Fascinating stuff.Maybe with a couple of LCD projectors you could build your own planetarium with Stellarium [ 3 ] .Beyond that , in future years , doing your own CCD photography may be beneficial for the kids you teach .
People are taking pretty neat pictures with backyard reflectors , such as yours , and hacked web cams .
[ 1 ] http : //www.shatters.net/celestia [ shatters.net ] [ 2 ] http : //www.stellarium.org/ [ stellarium.org ] [ 3 ] http : //www.stellarium.org/wiki/index.php/Building \ _your \ _own \ _dome [ stellarium.org ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>In addition to a real telescope, programs like Celestia[1] and Stellarium[2] may be appropriate for classroom use.
They are both available on Mac, Linux, and Windows.
Stellarium can show you the sky as you'd see it with the naked eye, with a telescope, or up close (say to a planet).
I remember thinking how interesting it was to use Celestia to fly a long ways away from the earth and see the constellations change and move kind of like Star Trek's Stellar Cartography.
It's kind of fun to fly directly to the stars in Orion's belt and have everything move accurately.
Really reinforced the idea the constellations only make sense from here on earth and that they are really stars in 3-D, which is easy to forget just gazing up at the sky.
Fascinating stuff.Maybe with a couple of LCD projectors you could build your own planetarium with Stellarium[3].Beyond that, in future years, doing your own CCD photography may be beneficial for the kids you teach.
People are taking pretty neat pictures with backyard reflectors, such as yours, and hacked web cams.
[1] http://www.shatters.net/celestia [shatters.net][2] http://www.stellarium.org/ [stellarium.org][3] http://www.stellarium.org/wiki/index.php/Building\_your\_own\_dome [stellarium.org]</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090712</id>
	<title>Astronomy Targets for Beginners</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265018880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Good source of free starmaps: skymaps.com</p><p>Here are some fairly easy targets off the top of my head...</p><p>Moon: Choose a night when the Moon is not full -- have a look at the terminator (the boundary between the dark and light parts).  You might be surprised at how those craters and hills seem to pop out at you.</p><p>Mars: Mars is near Opposition and should look pretty good -- you might even be able to see a white spot at one of the poles -- that's the polar ice cap.</p><p>Other Planets: Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury are usually pretty easy to find. See a current starmap for times and locations. (Saturn will rock your world.)</p><p>Albireo: The head of Cygnus the Swan is a double star -- one yellow, one blue.  Striking and easy to find.</p><p>The Ring Nebula: In Lyra, almost centered between two of the stars (find yourself a star map for a visual).  It's faint, so you'll want to be away from city lights, but a small telescope should barely see it.  It will look like a dim gray ring.  Show the kids that, then show them the HST picture for comparison.</p><p>The Milky Way: Billions that faint gray swath turns into billions of stars when viewed through a telescope (even a small one).</p><p>The Neighborhood of Scorpius: There are several interesting things to see in Scorpius.  Globular clusters, etc.  Get a starmap and point the scope(s) South!</p><p>Dress warm and have fun out there!</p><p>--<br>Ron Proctor<br>Production Coordinator<br>Ott Planetarium - Weber State University<br>weber.edu/planetarium</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Good source of free starmaps : skymaps.comHere are some fairly easy targets off the top of my head...Moon : Choose a night when the Moon is not full -- have a look at the terminator ( the boundary between the dark and light parts ) .
You might be surprised at how those craters and hills seem to pop out at you.Mars : Mars is near Opposition and should look pretty good -- you might even be able to see a white spot at one of the poles -- that 's the polar ice cap.Other Planets : Saturn , Jupiter , Venus , and Mercury are usually pretty easy to find .
See a current starmap for times and locations .
( Saturn will rock your world .
) Albireo : The head of Cygnus the Swan is a double star -- one yellow , one blue .
Striking and easy to find.The Ring Nebula : In Lyra , almost centered between two of the stars ( find yourself a star map for a visual ) .
It 's faint , so you 'll want to be away from city lights , but a small telescope should barely see it .
It will look like a dim gray ring .
Show the kids that , then show them the HST picture for comparison.The Milky Way : Billions that faint gray swath turns into billions of stars when viewed through a telescope ( even a small one ) .The Neighborhood of Scorpius : There are several interesting things to see in Scorpius .
Globular clusters , etc .
Get a starmap and point the scope ( s ) South ! Dress warm and have fun out there ! --Ron ProctorProduction CoordinatorOtt Planetarium - Weber State Universityweber.edu/planetarium</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Good source of free starmaps: skymaps.comHere are some fairly easy targets off the top of my head...Moon: Choose a night when the Moon is not full -- have a look at the terminator (the boundary between the dark and light parts).
You might be surprised at how those craters and hills seem to pop out at you.Mars: Mars is near Opposition and should look pretty good -- you might even be able to see a white spot at one of the poles -- that's the polar ice cap.Other Planets: Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury are usually pretty easy to find.
See a current starmap for times and locations.
(Saturn will rock your world.
)Albireo: The head of Cygnus the Swan is a double star -- one yellow, one blue.
Striking and easy to find.The Ring Nebula: In Lyra, almost centered between two of the stars (find yourself a star map for a visual).
It's faint, so you'll want to be away from city lights, but a small telescope should barely see it.
It will look like a dim gray ring.
Show the kids that, then show them the HST picture for comparison.The Milky Way: Billions that faint gray swath turns into billions of stars when viewed through a telescope (even a small one).The Neighborhood of Scorpius: There are several interesting things to see in Scorpius.
Globular clusters, etc.
Get a starmap and point the scope(s) South!Dress warm and have fun out there!--Ron ProctorProduction CoordinatorOtt Planetarium - Weber State Universityweber.edu/planetarium</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31094960</id>
	<title>Re:Venus</title>
	<author>robogun</author>
	<datestamp>1265039700000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Do not forget Mars, which is at opposition right now (up all night, closest to Earth). The 4" should show the ice cap.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Do not forget Mars , which is at opposition right now ( up all night , closest to Earth ) .
The 4 " should show the ice cap .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Do not forget Mars, which is at opposition right now (up all night, closest to Earth).
The 4" should show the ice cap.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090834</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31093858</id>
	<title>Moons of Jupiter</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265033760000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I suggest that you present to the class Roemer's deduction of the speed of light (http://www.mathpages.com/home/kmath203/kmath203.htm) and then take everyone out to view the moons of Jupiter.  Jupiter is easy to find and the four big moons are easy to see.  If the telescope has a clock drive this will be easy.  If not, you will need to practice a bit to recover the view as the image keeps moving.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I suggest that you present to the class Roemer 's deduction of the speed of light ( http : //www.mathpages.com/home/kmath203/kmath203.htm ) and then take everyone out to view the moons of Jupiter .
Jupiter is easy to find and the four big moons are easy to see .
If the telescope has a clock drive this will be easy .
If not , you will need to practice a bit to recover the view as the image keeps moving .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I suggest that you present to the class Roemer's deduction of the speed of light (http://www.mathpages.com/home/kmath203/kmath203.htm) and then take everyone out to view the moons of Jupiter.
Jupiter is easy to find and the four big moons are easy to see.
If the telescope has a clock drive this will be easy.
If not, you will need to practice a bit to recover the view as the image keeps moving.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090974</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019960000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Obviously, you will need a solar filter. You should be able to see a sun spot or two. See http://spaceweather.com/ for more detail.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Obviously , you will need a solar filter .
You should be able to see a sun spot or two .
See http : //spaceweather.com/ for more detail .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Obviously, you will need a solar filter.
You should be able to see a sun spot or two.
See http://spaceweather.com/ for more detail.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091134</id>
	<title>Help NASA scan the sky!</title>
	<author>chrispatch</author>
	<datestamp>1265020620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Before the budget cuts, their object collision budget was only 1 million dollars, which only allowed them to scan 3\% of the sky<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Before the budget cuts , their object collision budget was only 1 million dollars , which only allowed them to scan 3 \ % of the sky : )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Before the budget cuts, their object collision budget was only 1 million dollars, which only allowed them to scan 3\% of the sky :)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091120</id>
	<title>Recommended Text</title>
	<author>hey!</author>
	<datestamp>1265020620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>"Turn Left at Orion" by Guy Consolmagno.  Great book oriented toward small telescopes in the 60mm-100mm range.</p><p>The moon is of course a great target -- crescent is best.  Jupiter is terrific, and even if your scope is a mess the Galilean moons are certainly easy to see and of historical importance. I've been able to count bands pretty easily with my 90mm refractor, but I've modded it to improve contrast.  Cheap Chinese refractors often have exposed screws and shiny forward surfaces that can be fixed with Sharpie.  Saturn is great, depending on how the rings are oriented. Mars is kind of ho-hum with 100mm. I'd assign Venus through binoculars if its position permits.  You can at least make out its phases.</p><p>If light pollution is bad, then you aren't going to have much luck with nebulae, but binary stars are great, as are clusters and asterisms.   The Pleiades (M45) are a must of course, and they're also a good naked eye object.  Lots of education to be got out of those. They're about the nearest interesting thing there is to look at, and you can tie it in with anthropology if you want because they're a naked eye object.</p><p>Brocchi's Cluster is one of my favorites, and not so well known. Quite pretty, looks a bit like a coathanger. The Beehive (M44) is also nice.</p><p>Gemini offers the open cluster M35, which is OK, but one of the interesting things is to look at Castor and Pollux through a small telescope.  There's a really nice color contrast that is not visible to the naked eye.</p><p>Speaking of color contrast, Albireo (at the head of the Cygnus swan) is one of the nicest small scope targets there are -- an absolutely gorgeous double star with a nice red/blue color difference. It's absolutely perfect for a scope in the 100mm range; it doesn't really get any better in a big light bucket.</p><p>Nu Draconis is another double star that's always visble in the Northern Hemisphere. I once split Nu Draconis with a pair of 10x50 binoculars hand held, if you call lying on the hood of a car with the eye cups balance on my eyebrows "hand held". It's not easy with binoculars, but a cinch to split with even a 60mm refractor.</p><p>And don't neglect binoculars!  Most families have a pair somewhere, and you can do some great things with them.  They're just about the best thing for Andromeda (M31) which is huge -- 4 degrees across.  It's hard to take it all in with a larger telescope, although your 100mm with the longest FL, widest apparent field eyepiece you have will give nice views too.</p><p>Remember, even a really cheap pair of binoculars is way better than anything Galileo ever had!  The main problem is that most pairs have too much magnification for hand holding; 7x is best if you don't have some kind of support.  Perhaps you could make a few copy scopes and pass them around for assignments.</p><p>One thing you can do is mount a pair of 10x binoculars in a box with a mirror so you can look down at a comfortable 45 degrees. A first surface mirror is ideal (available through surplus stores) but even a glass fronted mirror is an improvement over trying to handhold a pair of binocs with too much magnification.  You can use this kind of setup with "Turn Left" or with the "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Constellations of the Northern Skies".  This is a terrific pocket reference for use with binoculars, as it facilitates star hopping and identifies the most interesting objects in each constellation that can be seen with naked eye or small telescopes.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>" Turn Left at Orion " by Guy Consolmagno .
Great book oriented toward small telescopes in the 60mm-100mm range.The moon is of course a great target -- crescent is best .
Jupiter is terrific , and even if your scope is a mess the Galilean moons are certainly easy to see and of historical importance .
I 've been able to count bands pretty easily with my 90mm refractor , but I 've modded it to improve contrast .
Cheap Chinese refractors often have exposed screws and shiny forward surfaces that can be fixed with Sharpie .
Saturn is great , depending on how the rings are oriented .
Mars is kind of ho-hum with 100mm .
I 'd assign Venus through binoculars if its position permits .
You can at least make out its phases.If light pollution is bad , then you are n't going to have much luck with nebulae , but binary stars are great , as are clusters and asterisms .
The Pleiades ( M45 ) are a must of course , and they 're also a good naked eye object .
Lots of education to be got out of those .
They 're about the nearest interesting thing there is to look at , and you can tie it in with anthropology if you want because they 're a naked eye object.Brocchi 's Cluster is one of my favorites , and not so well known .
Quite pretty , looks a bit like a coathanger .
The Beehive ( M44 ) is also nice.Gemini offers the open cluster M35 , which is OK , but one of the interesting things is to look at Castor and Pollux through a small telescope .
There 's a really nice color contrast that is not visible to the naked eye.Speaking of color contrast , Albireo ( at the head of the Cygnus swan ) is one of the nicest small scope targets there are -- an absolutely gorgeous double star with a nice red/blue color difference .
It 's absolutely perfect for a scope in the 100mm range ; it does n't really get any better in a big light bucket.Nu Draconis is another double star that 's always visble in the Northern Hemisphere .
I once split Nu Draconis with a pair of 10x50 binoculars hand held , if you call lying on the hood of a car with the eye cups balance on my eyebrows " hand held " .
It 's not easy with binoculars , but a cinch to split with even a 60mm refractor.And do n't neglect binoculars !
Most families have a pair somewhere , and you can do some great things with them .
They 're just about the best thing for Andromeda ( M31 ) which is huge -- 4 degrees across .
It 's hard to take it all in with a larger telescope , although your 100mm with the longest FL , widest apparent field eyepiece you have will give nice views too.Remember , even a really cheap pair of binoculars is way better than anything Galileo ever had !
The main problem is that most pairs have too much magnification for hand holding ; 7x is best if you do n't have some kind of support .
Perhaps you could make a few copy scopes and pass them around for assignments.One thing you can do is mount a pair of 10x binoculars in a box with a mirror so you can look down at a comfortable 45 degrees .
A first surface mirror is ideal ( available through surplus stores ) but even a glass fronted mirror is an improvement over trying to handhold a pair of binocs with too much magnification .
You can use this kind of setup with " Turn Left " or with the " National Audubon Society Field Guide to Constellations of the Northern Skies " .
This is a terrific pocket reference for use with binoculars , as it facilitates star hopping and identifies the most interesting objects in each constellation that can be seen with naked eye or small telescopes .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>"Turn Left at Orion" by Guy Consolmagno.
Great book oriented toward small telescopes in the 60mm-100mm range.The moon is of course a great target -- crescent is best.
Jupiter is terrific, and even if your scope is a mess the Galilean moons are certainly easy to see and of historical importance.
I've been able to count bands pretty easily with my 90mm refractor, but I've modded it to improve contrast.
Cheap Chinese refractors often have exposed screws and shiny forward surfaces that can be fixed with Sharpie.
Saturn is great, depending on how the rings are oriented.
Mars is kind of ho-hum with 100mm.
I'd assign Venus through binoculars if its position permits.
You can at least make out its phases.If light pollution is bad, then you aren't going to have much luck with nebulae, but binary stars are great, as are clusters and asterisms.
The Pleiades (M45) are a must of course, and they're also a good naked eye object.
Lots of education to be got out of those.
They're about the nearest interesting thing there is to look at, and you can tie it in with anthropology if you want because they're a naked eye object.Brocchi's Cluster is one of my favorites, and not so well known.
Quite pretty, looks a bit like a coathanger.
The Beehive (M44) is also nice.Gemini offers the open cluster M35, which is OK, but one of the interesting things is to look at Castor and Pollux through a small telescope.
There's a really nice color contrast that is not visible to the naked eye.Speaking of color contrast, Albireo (at the head of the Cygnus swan) is one of the nicest small scope targets there are -- an absolutely gorgeous double star with a nice red/blue color difference.
It's absolutely perfect for a scope in the 100mm range; it doesn't really get any better in a big light bucket.Nu Draconis is another double star that's always visble in the Northern Hemisphere.
I once split Nu Draconis with a pair of 10x50 binoculars hand held, if you call lying on the hood of a car with the eye cups balance on my eyebrows "hand held".
It's not easy with binoculars, but a cinch to split with even a 60mm refractor.And don't neglect binoculars!
Most families have a pair somewhere, and you can do some great things with them.
They're just about the best thing for Andromeda (M31) which is huge -- 4 degrees across.
It's hard to take it all in with a larger telescope, although your 100mm with the longest FL, widest apparent field eyepiece you have will give nice views too.Remember, even a really cheap pair of binoculars is way better than anything Galileo ever had!
The main problem is that most pairs have too much magnification for hand holding; 7x is best if you don't have some kind of support.
Perhaps you could make a few copy scopes and pass them around for assignments.One thing you can do is mount a pair of 10x binoculars in a box with a mirror so you can look down at a comfortable 45 degrees.
A first surface mirror is ideal (available through surplus stores) but even a glass fronted mirror is an improvement over trying to handhold a pair of binocs with too much magnification.
You can use this kind of setup with "Turn Left" or with the "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Constellations of the Northern Skies".
This is a terrific pocket reference for use with binoculars, as it facilitates star hopping and identifies the most interesting objects in each constellation that can be seen with naked eye or small telescopes.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091518</id>
	<title>Find a local astronomy group and ask them for help</title>
	<author>jemc</author>
	<datestamp>1265022060000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I am a member of a central NY state astronomy club and we'd do it, if you lived near here.
One of our members would go to your school and give an appropriate to age group talk.
We'd also bring our equipment.
If you need to do it yourself, you might contact a local group for live advice.</htmltext>
<tokenext>I am a member of a central NY state astronomy club and we 'd do it , if you lived near here .
One of our members would go to your school and give an appropriate to age group talk .
We 'd also bring our equipment .
If you need to do it yourself , you might contact a local group for live advice .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I am a member of a central NY state astronomy club and we'd do it, if you lived near here.
One of our members would go to your school and give an appropriate to age group talk.
We'd also bring our equipment.
If you need to do it yourself, you might contact a local group for live advice.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091066</id>
	<title>Jupiter, Saturn</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265020320000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Amazing to see Saturn's rings and both planets' moons with your own eyes (through a telescope, of course).</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Amazing to see Saturn 's rings and both planets ' moons with your own eyes ( through a telescope , of course ) .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Amazing to see Saturn's rings and both planets' moons with your own eyes (through a telescope, of course).</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090870</id>
	<title>Saturn</title>
	<author>ceoyoyo</author>
	<datestamp>1265019480000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>As other posters have mentioned, the moon is definitely something you should go for - it's big, bright, easy to find and quite impressive through a small telescope.  Plus it's got historical significance for the role it played in Galileo's observations.  Jupiter is another obvious target (also with historical significance).  If you have enough time between your observing opportunities you can get the kids to draw the positions of the Galilean moons at the first session and then see that they've moved at the second.  Venus and Mars are also good.  You should be able to make out the phase of Venus (if it's not full or new) and might be able to see some detail on Mars (if you hurry), depending on the seeing.  Some bright galaxies (Andromeda) can be interesting.  The great nebula in Orion is also good because, under dark skies, you can just make it out with the naked eye but a telescope can reveal some detail.  The Pleiades and other clusters are also good.  You could also try splitting some binaries, such as Alcor and Mizar in the Big Dipper.</p><p>This page gives some suggestions: <a href="http://irwincur.tripod.com/ten\_best\_obj\_-\_small\_telescope.htm" title="tripod.com">http://irwincur.tripod.com/ten\_best\_obj\_-\_small\_telescope.htm</a> [tripod.com]</p><p>Whatever you do, if it's visible, don't miss Saturn.  Even in the smallest telescopes Saturn is visible as something that is clearly not the round star that it looks like to the naked eye.  It's the first sky object I remember seeing through a telescope or binoculars and being able to see that there is structure in something that appears to the naked eye as a featureless point made an impact.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>As other posters have mentioned , the moon is definitely something you should go for - it 's big , bright , easy to find and quite impressive through a small telescope .
Plus it 's got historical significance for the role it played in Galileo 's observations .
Jupiter is another obvious target ( also with historical significance ) .
If you have enough time between your observing opportunities you can get the kids to draw the positions of the Galilean moons at the first session and then see that they 've moved at the second .
Venus and Mars are also good .
You should be able to make out the phase of Venus ( if it 's not full or new ) and might be able to see some detail on Mars ( if you hurry ) , depending on the seeing .
Some bright galaxies ( Andromeda ) can be interesting .
The great nebula in Orion is also good because , under dark skies , you can just make it out with the naked eye but a telescope can reveal some detail .
The Pleiades and other clusters are also good .
You could also try splitting some binaries , such as Alcor and Mizar in the Big Dipper.This page gives some suggestions : http : //irwincur.tripod.com/ten \ _best \ _obj \ _- \ _small \ _telescope.htm [ tripod.com ] Whatever you do , if it 's visible , do n't miss Saturn .
Even in the smallest telescopes Saturn is visible as something that is clearly not the round star that it looks like to the naked eye .
It 's the first sky object I remember seeing through a telescope or binoculars and being able to see that there is structure in something that appears to the naked eye as a featureless point made an impact .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>As other posters have mentioned, the moon is definitely something you should go for - it's big, bright, easy to find and quite impressive through a small telescope.
Plus it's got historical significance for the role it played in Galileo's observations.
Jupiter is another obvious target (also with historical significance).
If you have enough time between your observing opportunities you can get the kids to draw the positions of the Galilean moons at the first session and then see that they've moved at the second.
Venus and Mars are also good.
You should be able to make out the phase of Venus (if it's not full or new) and might be able to see some detail on Mars (if you hurry), depending on the seeing.
Some bright galaxies (Andromeda) can be interesting.
The great nebula in Orion is also good because, under dark skies, you can just make it out with the naked eye but a telescope can reveal some detail.
The Pleiades and other clusters are also good.
You could also try splitting some binaries, such as Alcor and Mizar in the Big Dipper.This page gives some suggestions: http://irwincur.tripod.com/ten\_best\_obj\_-\_small\_telescope.htm [tripod.com]Whatever you do, if it's visible, don't miss Saturn.
Even in the smallest telescopes Saturn is visible as something that is clearly not the round star that it looks like to the naked eye.
It's the first sky object I remember seeing through a telescope or binoculars and being able to see that there is structure in something that appears to the naked eye as a featureless point made an impact.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090736</id>
	<title>Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy</title>
	<author>OddThinking</author>
	<datestamp>1265018940000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>How about the <a href="http://homeboyastronomy.com/2007/11/13/astronomy-tipstricks-how-to-find-orion-nebula-m42/" title="homeboyastronomy.com" rel="nofollow">Orion Nebula</a> [homeboyastronomy.com], which you can see with the naked eye, even with a good bit of light pollution.

And mayby the <a href="http://homeboyastronomy.com/2007/11/10/tips-tricks-for-finding-andromeda-m31-galaxy-without-a-star-chart-or-a-planisphere/" title="homeboyastronomy.com" rel="nofollow">Andromeda Galaxy</a> [homeboyastronomy.com], which you can also see with the naked eye if there isn't much light pollution, and can easily be seen with binoculars or a small telescope.</htmltext>
<tokenext>How about the Orion Nebula [ homeboyastronomy.com ] , which you can see with the naked eye , even with a good bit of light pollution .
And mayby the Andromeda Galaxy [ homeboyastronomy.com ] , which you can also see with the naked eye if there is n't much light pollution , and can easily be seen with binoculars or a small telescope .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>How about the Orion Nebula [homeboyastronomy.com], which you can see with the naked eye, even with a good bit of light pollution.
And mayby the Andromeda Galaxy [homeboyastronomy.com], which you can also see with the naked eye if there isn't much light pollution, and can easily be seen with binoculars or a small telescope.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092068</id>
	<title>Google Sky Maps</title>
	<author>sponga</author>
	<datestamp>1265024100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>If you haven't used Google Sky Maps yet it is the best tool to visually point out where stars are, combine that with a telescope and you'll fly through the sky in no time.</p><p>You just hold the phone up to the stars and it shows you a perfect image view per view of what youre looking at, pointing out which stars are what and you can choose the level of detail.<br>I know I always had a problem when younger and people saying "see that star..." and me "you mean that one around the other thousand".</p><p>This tool is so great and I am sure one of your students has a Android device, the app is FREE.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>If you have n't used Google Sky Maps yet it is the best tool to visually point out where stars are , combine that with a telescope and you 'll fly through the sky in no time.You just hold the phone up to the stars and it shows you a perfect image view per view of what youre looking at , pointing out which stars are what and you can choose the level of detail.I know I always had a problem when younger and people saying " see that star... " and me " you mean that one around the other thousand " .This tool is so great and I am sure one of your students has a Android device , the app is FREE .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>If you haven't used Google Sky Maps yet it is the best tool to visually point out where stars are, combine that with a telescope and you'll fly through the sky in no time.You just hold the phone up to the stars and it shows you a perfect image view per view of what youre looking at, pointing out which stars are what and you can choose the level of detail.I know I always had a problem when younger and people saying "see that star..." and me "you mean that one around the other thousand".This tool is so great and I am sure one of your students has a Android device, the app is FREE.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31097094</id>
	<title>Re:Caution:</title>
	<author>hcpxvi</author>
	<datestamp>1265880180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>The correct way to observe the Sun (projecting it) is a good thing to do. Pity we are at the bottom of the sunspot cycle right now: there won't be many spots to see. You should, of course put something nice and flammable in front of the eyepiece to see how fast it bursts into flames. (The 8-inch refractor we had use of when I was a student would light a pencil in under a second, IIRC)</htmltext>
<tokenext>The correct way to observe the Sun ( projecting it ) is a good thing to do .
Pity we are at the bottom of the sunspot cycle right now : there wo n't be many spots to see .
You should , of course put something nice and flammable in front of the eyepiece to see how fast it bursts into flames .
( The 8-inch refractor we had use of when I was a student would light a pencil in under a second , IIRC )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The correct way to observe the Sun (projecting it) is a good thing to do.
Pity we are at the bottom of the sunspot cycle right now: there won't be many spots to see.
You should, of course put something nice and flammable in front of the eyepiece to see how fast it bursts into flames.
(The 8-inch refractor we had use of when I was a student would light a pencil in under a second, IIRC)</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090566</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091666</id>
	<title>4 inch telescope... what kind?</title>
	<author>Spy Handler</author>
	<datestamp>1265022600000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>A high-quality 4 inch refractor can show some amazing details. They are used for some serious amateur astronomy. They can also be amazingly expensive.<br> <br>
If what you have is a 4 inch newtonian from Wal-Mart (most likely) then stick to the moon, Jupiter and Saturn, as many people have pointed out.</htmltext>
<tokenext>A high-quality 4 inch refractor can show some amazing details .
They are used for some serious amateur astronomy .
They can also be amazingly expensive .
If what you have is a 4 inch newtonian from Wal-Mart ( most likely ) then stick to the moon , Jupiter and Saturn , as many people have pointed out .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>A high-quality 4 inch refractor can show some amazing details.
They are used for some serious amateur astronomy.
They can also be amazingly expensive.
If what you have is a 4 inch newtonian from Wal-Mart (most likely) then stick to the moon, Jupiter and Saturn, as many people have pointed out.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090802</id>
	<title>something else to check out.</title>
	<author>wierdling</author>
	<datestamp>1265019240000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext>Although it isn't actually looking at the objects with your own telescope, all of the data that the Hubble Space Telescope creates is free to the public.  To use the data you will need a copy of Adobe Photoshop, but once you have that it can be great fun to create the same sort of images you see from the Hubble Heritage site.  To use the data (that you get in fits format) in Photoshop, you need to download the "Fits Liberator" from the <a href="http://www.spacetelescope.org/" title="spacetelescope.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.spacetelescope.org/</a> [spacetelescope.org] site (check the projects tab).  You can then get the data from <a href="http://archive.stsci.edu/hst/search.php" title="stsci.edu" rel="nofollow">http://archive.stsci.edu/hst/search.php</a> [stsci.edu] (you will have to create an account).</htmltext>
<tokenext>Although it is n't actually looking at the objects with your own telescope , all of the data that the Hubble Space Telescope creates is free to the public .
To use the data you will need a copy of Adobe Photoshop , but once you have that it can be great fun to create the same sort of images you see from the Hubble Heritage site .
To use the data ( that you get in fits format ) in Photoshop , you need to download the " Fits Liberator " from the http : //www.spacetelescope.org/ [ spacetelescope.org ] site ( check the projects tab ) .
You can then get the data from http : //archive.stsci.edu/hst/search.php [ stsci.edu ] ( you will have to create an account ) .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Although it isn't actually looking at the objects with your own telescope, all of the data that the Hubble Space Telescope creates is free to the public.
To use the data you will need a copy of Adobe Photoshop, but once you have that it can be great fun to create the same sort of images you see from the Hubble Heritage site.
To use the data (that you get in fits format) in Photoshop, you need to download the "Fits Liberator" from the http://www.spacetelescope.org/ [spacetelescope.org] site (check the projects tab).
You can then get the data from http://archive.stsci.edu/hst/search.php [stsci.edu] (you will have to create an account).</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31095150</id>
	<title>Anonymous Coward</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265041380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Any planet that is visible at the times you choose. Stars with distinctive colors. Anything else just looks the same.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Any planet that is visible at the times you choose .
Stars with distinctive colors .
Anything else just looks the same .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Any planet that is visible at the times you choose.
Stars with distinctive colors.
Anything else just looks the same.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092122</id>
	<title>If I've learned anything from science fiction...</title>
	<author>SpekkioMofW</author>
	<datestamp>1265024340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>...if any of your students think they've seen an alien spacecraft, *do not dismiss their findings.* Alien invasions are usually discovered by amateur astronomers and schoolchildren, but nobody believes them until it's too late and the aliens are already destroying major landmarks and slaughtering puny humans.</htmltext>
<tokenext>...if any of your students think they 've seen an alien spacecraft , * do not dismiss their findings .
* Alien invasions are usually discovered by amateur astronomers and schoolchildren , but nobody believes them until it 's too late and the aliens are already destroying major landmarks and slaughtering puny humans .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>...if any of your students think they've seen an alien spacecraft, *do not dismiss their findings.
* Alien invasions are usually discovered by amateur astronomers and schoolchildren, but nobody believes them until it's too late and the aliens are already destroying major landmarks and slaughtering puny humans.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091652</id>
	<title>tracker needed, vid camera good idea</title>
	<author>v1</author>
	<datestamp>1265022540000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>considering your time constraints, and trying to get several students up to the telescope one at a time, a star tracker is an <b>absolute must</b>.  You'd be strongly advised to get some kind of setup with a computer camera attached to the telescope so you can spend 1/2 the event with the students getting hands-on with the telescope eyepiece, and the other 1/2 of the timeslot showing the entire group five times as many other objects live while huddled around a laptop screen.  The hands-on is important, but having a live camera to the scope that the entire group can look at all at once will allow you to cover a lot more ground in a night, and make things much less boring for the students.</p><p>You can also record the live observations to be used later in classroom activities, and for those students that are forced to miss one of the few nights you do manage to pull off.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>considering your time constraints , and trying to get several students up to the telescope one at a time , a star tracker is an absolute must .
You 'd be strongly advised to get some kind of setup with a computer camera attached to the telescope so you can spend 1/2 the event with the students getting hands-on with the telescope eyepiece , and the other 1/2 of the timeslot showing the entire group five times as many other objects live while huddled around a laptop screen .
The hands-on is important , but having a live camera to the scope that the entire group can look at all at once will allow you to cover a lot more ground in a night , and make things much less boring for the students.You can also record the live observations to be used later in classroom activities , and for those students that are forced to miss one of the few nights you do manage to pull off .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>considering your time constraints, and trying to get several students up to the telescope one at a time, a star tracker is an absolute must.
You'd be strongly advised to get some kind of setup with a computer camera attached to the telescope so you can spend 1/2 the event with the students getting hands-on with the telescope eyepiece, and the other 1/2 of the timeslot showing the entire group five times as many other objects live while huddled around a laptop screen.
The hands-on is important, but having a live camera to the scope that the entire group can look at all at once will allow you to cover a lot more ground in a night, and make things much less boring for the students.You can also record the live observations to be used later in classroom activities, and for those students that are forced to miss one of the few nights you do manage to pull off.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090732</id>
	<title>Don't bother</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265018940000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Troll</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>American kids don't care about stuff like this, and even if they did, they'd never be able to find gainful employment in it when they finish college.  Teach them skills which will be more useful for their future careers.  Here's a range of examples for different kids:</p><p>1) for the dumb kids, teach them how to flip burgers and operate deep fryers.</p><p>2) for the middle-intelligence kids, teach them how to set up scams, because that'll be a very important industry in the future of America.  Examples include loan-modification scams, where you get people to pay you $3000 to "attempt" to work with their lender to modify their loan, but you never actually do anything and point to the small-print disclaimer in the contract saying results are not guaranteed.</p><p>3) for the smart kids, teach them about law, so they can become lawyers.  We can never have too many of those in this country, especially with all the scammers.  Victims need lawyers to sue the scammers, and scammers need lawyers to help them shield their personal assets from lawsuits and successfully funnel money from the scam-business to their personal bank accounts.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>American kids do n't care about stuff like this , and even if they did , they 'd never be able to find gainful employment in it when they finish college .
Teach them skills which will be more useful for their future careers .
Here 's a range of examples for different kids : 1 ) for the dumb kids , teach them how to flip burgers and operate deep fryers.2 ) for the middle-intelligence kids , teach them how to set up scams , because that 'll be a very important industry in the future of America .
Examples include loan-modification scams , where you get people to pay you $ 3000 to " attempt " to work with their lender to modify their loan , but you never actually do anything and point to the small-print disclaimer in the contract saying results are not guaranteed.3 ) for the smart kids , teach them about law , so they can become lawyers .
We can never have too many of those in this country , especially with all the scammers .
Victims need lawyers to sue the scammers , and scammers need lawyers to help them shield their personal assets from lawsuits and successfully funnel money from the scam-business to their personal bank accounts .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>American kids don't care about stuff like this, and even if they did, they'd never be able to find gainful employment in it when they finish college.
Teach them skills which will be more useful for their future careers.
Here's a range of examples for different kids:1) for the dumb kids, teach them how to flip burgers and operate deep fryers.2) for the middle-intelligence kids, teach them how to set up scams, because that'll be a very important industry in the future of America.
Examples include loan-modification scams, where you get people to pay you $3000 to "attempt" to work with their lender to modify their loan, but you never actually do anything and point to the small-print disclaimer in the contract saying results are not guaranteed.3) for the smart kids, teach them about law, so they can become lawyers.
We can never have too many of those in this country, especially with all the scammers.
Victims need lawyers to sue the scammers, and scammers need lawyers to help them shield their personal assets from lawsuits and successfully funnel money from the scam-business to their personal bank accounts.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31139458</id>
	<title>Fold in a history-of-science lesson</title>
	<author>jmkelly</author>
	<datestamp>1266158340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Have them repeat Galileo's observations -- the elements of them have been suggested already, but I would put them in the historical framework. It would contribute to learning in other subjects and possibly give your students a better grounding in the basics of the scientific method and worldview.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Have them repeat Galileo 's observations -- the elements of them have been suggested already , but I would put them in the historical framework .
It would contribute to learning in other subjects and possibly give your students a better grounding in the basics of the scientific method and worldview .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Have them repeat Galileo's observations -- the elements of them have been suggested already, but I would put them in the historical framework.
It would contribute to learning in other subjects and possibly give your students a better grounding in the basics of the scientific method and worldview.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31112852</id>
	<title>Re:Venus</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265989500000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Don't forget Kepler.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-)</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Do n't forget Kepler .
: - )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Don't forget Kepler.
:-)</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090834</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31094226</id>
	<title>Pleiades</title>
	<author>luttapi</author>
	<datestamp>1265035440000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades\_(star\_cluster)" title="wikipedia.org" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades\_(star\_cluster)</a> [wikipedia.org]</p><p>Ask how many stars they can see first without &amp; then with the binocular.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades \ _ ( star \ _cluster ) [ wikipedia.org ] Ask how many stars they can see first without &amp; then with the binocular .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades\_(star\_cluster) [wikipedia.org]Ask how many stars they can see first without &amp; then with the binocular.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091222</id>
	<title>Calculate the orbital periods of Jupiter's moons</title>
	<author>danlyke</author>
	<datestamp>1265020860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>It takes several nights (and several hours per night) of viewing, but the most dramatic "wow, there's really stuff happening up there!" class project I've seen is calculating the orbital periods of Jupiter's moons. With just a 'scope, if you look at Jupiter, and then use a stopwatch to find the times for each of the moons going out of frame, and then have your kids plot those points out on graph paper. Do this at hour intervals for 3 nights running, you can then fit sine curves to the points and see what the orbital period of the moons is.</p><p>You can also do this with a digital camera with a decent sized lens (most of the SLRs with the 1.6 or so multiplier and a 300mm lens will work well), just counting pixels of separation.</p><p>The "wow, that's not just static" realization can be profound.</p><p>I haven't built a web page yet for this experiment, but I do have a spreadsheet to do the graphing automatically, drop me an email if you'd like further class materials and maybe that'll get me to build the page for this.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>It takes several nights ( and several hours per night ) of viewing , but the most dramatic " wow , there 's really stuff happening up there !
" class project I 've seen is calculating the orbital periods of Jupiter 's moons .
With just a 'scope , if you look at Jupiter , and then use a stopwatch to find the times for each of the moons going out of frame , and then have your kids plot those points out on graph paper .
Do this at hour intervals for 3 nights running , you can then fit sine curves to the points and see what the orbital period of the moons is.You can also do this with a digital camera with a decent sized lens ( most of the SLRs with the 1.6 or so multiplier and a 300mm lens will work well ) , just counting pixels of separation.The " wow , that 's not just static " realization can be profound.I have n't built a web page yet for this experiment , but I do have a spreadsheet to do the graphing automatically , drop me an email if you 'd like further class materials and maybe that 'll get me to build the page for this .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>It takes several nights (and several hours per night) of viewing, but the most dramatic "wow, there's really stuff happening up there!
" class project I've seen is calculating the orbital periods of Jupiter's moons.
With just a 'scope, if you look at Jupiter, and then use a stopwatch to find the times for each of the moons going out of frame, and then have your kids plot those points out on graph paper.
Do this at hour intervals for 3 nights running, you can then fit sine curves to the points and see what the orbital period of the moons is.You can also do this with a digital camera with a decent sized lens (most of the SLRs with the 1.6 or so multiplier and a 300mm lens will work well), just counting pixels of separation.The "wow, that's not just static" realization can be profound.I haven't built a web page yet for this experiment, but I do have a spreadsheet to do the graphing automatically, drop me an email if you'd like further class materials and maybe that'll get me to build the page for this.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092648</id>
	<title>Naked Eye</title>
	<author>Laser\_47</author>
	<datestamp>1265027760000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>You should also be able to do some naked eye observations such as:</p><p>
&nbsp; &nbsp; Observe the track of the Moon across the sky over a month.</p><p>
&nbsp; &nbsp; Watch the rotation of the starts over a night (or several hours)</p><p>
&nbsp; &nbsp; Watch an upcomming meteor shower.  The next one is the Lyrids on April 21:   http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>You should also be able to do some naked eye observations such as :     Observe the track of the Moon across the sky over a month .
    Watch the rotation of the starts over a night ( or several hours )     Watch an upcomming meteor shower .
The next one is the Lyrids on April 21 : http : //stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/</tokentext>
<sentencetext>You should also be able to do some naked eye observations such as:
    Observe the track of the Moon across the sky over a month.
    Watch the rotation of the starts over a night (or several hours)
    Watch an upcomming meteor shower.
The next one is the Lyrids on April 21:   http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31097562</id>
	<title>Pleiades and Comets and Binaries, Oh My!</title>
	<author>ErroneousBee</author>
	<datestamp>1265886960000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>As well as the usual moon and planets, I'd go for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades\_(star\_cluster)" title="wikipedia.org">Pleiades</a> [wikipedia.org], and Comets that might be around at that time, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andromeda\_Galaxy" title="wikipedia.org">Messier 31 (Andromeda)</a> [wikipedia.org] and perhaps a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary\_star#Binary\_star\_examples" title="wikipedia.org">binary star</a> [wikipedia.org].

</p><p>Check them out yourself before boring the kids, and also check out <a href="http://galaxyzoo.org/" title="galaxyzoo.org">galaxy zoo</a> [galaxyzoo.org].</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>As well as the usual moon and planets , I 'd go for the Pleiades [ wikipedia.org ] , and Comets that might be around at that time , Messier 31 ( Andromeda ) [ wikipedia.org ] and perhaps a binary star [ wikipedia.org ] .
Check them out yourself before boring the kids , and also check out galaxy zoo [ galaxyzoo.org ] .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>As well as the usual moon and planets, I'd go for the Pleiades [wikipedia.org], and Comets that might be around at that time, Messier 31 (Andromeda) [wikipedia.org] and perhaps a binary star [wikipedia.org].
Check them out yourself before boring the kids, and also check out galaxy zoo [galaxyzoo.org].</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091086</id>
	<title>"Turn Left at Orion"</title>
	<author>dr\_canak</author>
	<datestamp>1265020440000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>As someone previously mentioned,</p><p>"Turn Left at Orion" would be a good resource, because everything in TLaO is viewable through a 4" telescope.  Further, there are pencil drawings of what one should see through the scope, which is a much more accurate depiction than what a person sees in magazines such as "Sky and Telescope" and "Astronomy".</p><p>I would certainly plan ahead.  There are really four categories of targets easily accesible with a 4" scope: (a) moon, (b) planets (really, just Saturn and Jupiter) (c) *some* deep sky objects and (d) the sun.  Looking for binary stars, comets, variable stars, and such is just not going to be very fruitful, except in the very best of conditions with a very good instrument.  Using general resources on the Web or the Sky and Telescope web site specifically (or the magazine for that matter) can tell you what is even available for your planned evenings and times.  It's been awhile since I looked at TLaO, but I think it's broken down by late evening viewing for each season.  In other words, what the Eastern sky looks like at 11:00p in winter is very different from what it looks like in summer.</p><p>Weather can be your best friend or worst enemy, for obvious reasons.  But picking a night of full moon to look at deep sky objects is equally bad.  This is why planning ahead of time is so important.  You can also set expectations ahead of time of what will be observable, and what it might look like through the lens.  Again, the beautiful pictures from Hubble are a far cry from what someone sees in a telescope.  So, it can be very easy for a new observer to feel let down if their expectations aren't addressed early.</p><p>If you go for some deep sky objects (See the Messier Catalog), make sure you spend a night before hand figuring out how to find these objects on your own and what they look like.  You don't want to be fumbling at the telescope trying to the find Orion Nebula while everyone just stares at you, and then not know if you have even found what you're looking for.  Same could be true of Saturn and Jupiter, but it's much easier to tell if you've found the right target.  The moons of Jupiter, albeit tiny points of light, are always interesting, especially if you observe on consecutive nights.  The moon goes without saying.  Moon observation is a hobby unto itself.</p><p>Observing the sun is really dependent on sun spot activity.  If there are sunspots to observe, that's at least something to see.  Otherwise, through a plain 4" scope, the sun isn't particularly interesting aside from a bright orb that looks like a balloon (look up Coronado telescopes if you really want to see how amazing the sun can look through a telescope.  The pictures you see is what it looks like at the lens).</p><p>good luck.  hth,<br>jeff</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>As someone previously mentioned , " Turn Left at Orion " would be a good resource , because everything in TLaO is viewable through a 4 " telescope .
Further , there are pencil drawings of what one should see through the scope , which is a much more accurate depiction than what a person sees in magazines such as " Sky and Telescope " and " Astronomy " .I would certainly plan ahead .
There are really four categories of targets easily accesible with a 4 " scope : ( a ) moon , ( b ) planets ( really , just Saturn and Jupiter ) ( c ) * some * deep sky objects and ( d ) the sun .
Looking for binary stars , comets , variable stars , and such is just not going to be very fruitful , except in the very best of conditions with a very good instrument .
Using general resources on the Web or the Sky and Telescope web site specifically ( or the magazine for that matter ) can tell you what is even available for your planned evenings and times .
It 's been awhile since I looked at TLaO , but I think it 's broken down by late evening viewing for each season .
In other words , what the Eastern sky looks like at 11 : 00p in winter is very different from what it looks like in summer.Weather can be your best friend or worst enemy , for obvious reasons .
But picking a night of full moon to look at deep sky objects is equally bad .
This is why planning ahead of time is so important .
You can also set expectations ahead of time of what will be observable , and what it might look like through the lens .
Again , the beautiful pictures from Hubble are a far cry from what someone sees in a telescope .
So , it can be very easy for a new observer to feel let down if their expectations are n't addressed early.If you go for some deep sky objects ( See the Messier Catalog ) , make sure you spend a night before hand figuring out how to find these objects on your own and what they look like .
You do n't want to be fumbling at the telescope trying to the find Orion Nebula while everyone just stares at you , and then not know if you have even found what you 're looking for .
Same could be true of Saturn and Jupiter , but it 's much easier to tell if you 've found the right target .
The moons of Jupiter , albeit tiny points of light , are always interesting , especially if you observe on consecutive nights .
The moon goes without saying .
Moon observation is a hobby unto itself.Observing the sun is really dependent on sun spot activity .
If there are sunspots to observe , that 's at least something to see .
Otherwise , through a plain 4 " scope , the sun is n't particularly interesting aside from a bright orb that looks like a balloon ( look up Coronado telescopes if you really want to see how amazing the sun can look through a telescope .
The pictures you see is what it looks like at the lens ) .good luck .
hth,jeff</tokentext>
<sentencetext>As someone previously mentioned,"Turn Left at Orion" would be a good resource, because everything in TLaO is viewable through a 4" telescope.
Further, there are pencil drawings of what one should see through the scope, which is a much more accurate depiction than what a person sees in magazines such as "Sky and Telescope" and "Astronomy".I would certainly plan ahead.
There are really four categories of targets easily accesible with a 4" scope: (a) moon, (b) planets (really, just Saturn and Jupiter) (c) *some* deep sky objects and (d) the sun.
Looking for binary stars, comets, variable stars, and such is just not going to be very fruitful, except in the very best of conditions with a very good instrument.
Using general resources on the Web or the Sky and Telescope web site specifically (or the magazine for that matter) can tell you what is even available for your planned evenings and times.
It's been awhile since I looked at TLaO, but I think it's broken down by late evening viewing for each season.
In other words, what the Eastern sky looks like at 11:00p in winter is very different from what it looks like in summer.Weather can be your best friend or worst enemy, for obvious reasons.
But picking a night of full moon to look at deep sky objects is equally bad.
This is why planning ahead of time is so important.
You can also set expectations ahead of time of what will be observable, and what it might look like through the lens.
Again, the beautiful pictures from Hubble are a far cry from what someone sees in a telescope.
So, it can be very easy for a new observer to feel let down if their expectations aren't addressed early.If you go for some deep sky objects (See the Messier Catalog), make sure you spend a night before hand figuring out how to find these objects on your own and what they look like.
You don't want to be fumbling at the telescope trying to the find Orion Nebula while everyone just stares at you, and then not know if you have even found what you're looking for.
Same could be true of Saturn and Jupiter, but it's much easier to tell if you've found the right target.
The moons of Jupiter, albeit tiny points of light, are always interesting, especially if you observe on consecutive nights.
The moon goes without saying.
Moon observation is a hobby unto itself.Observing the sun is really dependent on sun spot activity.
If there are sunspots to observe, that's at least something to see.
Otherwise, through a plain 4" scope, the sun isn't particularly interesting aside from a bright orb that looks like a balloon (look up Coronado telescopes if you really want to see how amazing the sun can look through a telescope.
The pictures you see is what it looks like at the lens).good luck.
hth,jeff</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091246</id>
	<title>Anonymous Coward</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265020920000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Two ideas:</p><p>Use Stellarium (http://www.stellarium.org) to prepare for observations. Maybe classwide.</p><p>Check out the observation material for the galileoscope (www.galileoscope.org).<br>The scope itself is nice too, especially for the money.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Two ideas : Use Stellarium ( http : //www.stellarium.org ) to prepare for observations .
Maybe classwide.Check out the observation material for the galileoscope ( www.galileoscope.org ) .The scope itself is nice too , especially for the money .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Two ideas:Use Stellarium (http://www.stellarium.org) to prepare for observations.
Maybe classwide.Check out the observation material for the galileoscope (www.galileoscope.org).The scope itself is nice too, especially for the money.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090926</id>
	<title>Contact your local astronomy club.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019780000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>It would be more than likely that if you were to contact your nearest astronomy club, you'd find people more than willing to bring MUCH BETTER telescopes right to your class and people who would be willing to spend time with your class showing you the most interesting things in the sky.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>It would be more than likely that if you were to contact your nearest astronomy club , you 'd find people more than willing to bring MUCH BETTER telescopes right to your class and people who would be willing to spend time with your class showing you the most interesting things in the sky .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>It would be more than likely that if you were to contact your nearest astronomy club, you'd find people more than willing to bring MUCH BETTER telescopes right to your class and people who would be willing to spend time with your class showing you the most interesting things in the sky.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090572</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>thewils</author>
	<datestamp>1265018280000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Redundant</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Just remember to not use your one remaining good eye.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Just remember to not use your one remaining good eye .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Just remember to not use your one remaining good eye.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090988</id>
	<title>Don't use the telescope!</title>
	<author>eparker05</author>
	<datestamp>1265020020000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Astronomy may have been revolutionized by the telescope, but the field was founded on the naked eye. I know it seems like a great idea to show off a new gadget to your students, but doing this will bias their minds to believe that one can only appreciate the stars with an expensive telescope. This is flat out false.</p><p>Teach them about constellations. Make it a contest to point out the most constellations! Knowledge of the constellations can lead to other insights, like the importance of the north star. When your students understand this, they might be ready for a telescope.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Astronomy may have been revolutionized by the telescope , but the field was founded on the naked eye .
I know it seems like a great idea to show off a new gadget to your students , but doing this will bias their minds to believe that one can only appreciate the stars with an expensive telescope .
This is flat out false.Teach them about constellations .
Make it a contest to point out the most constellations !
Knowledge of the constellations can lead to other insights , like the importance of the north star .
When your students understand this , they might be ready for a telescope .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Astronomy may have been revolutionized by the telescope, but the field was founded on the naked eye.
I know it seems like a great idea to show off a new gadget to your students, but doing this will bias their minds to believe that one can only appreciate the stars with an expensive telescope.
This is flat out false.Teach them about constellations.
Make it a contest to point out the most constellations!
Knowledge of the constellations can lead to other insights, like the importance of the north star.
When your students understand this, they might be ready for a telescope.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31108830</id>
	<title>Nebulae</title>
	<author>Warshadow</author>
	<datestamp>1265902560000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Any Nebula you can see.  The Great Nebula in Orion is real easy to find.  Please do more than just pointing the scope at something and having them look.  Give them a tour of the winter circle.  Tell them a few stories of how some of the constellations and asterisms got their names. There's so much more to Astronomy than just using a telescope.</p><p>Have students pick objects they'd like to look at using Stellarium, or some other software, that you can see with your telescope.  Get them involved or they're likely to find it pretty boring.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Any Nebula you can see .
The Great Nebula in Orion is real easy to find .
Please do more than just pointing the scope at something and having them look .
Give them a tour of the winter circle .
Tell them a few stories of how some of the constellations and asterisms got their names .
There 's so much more to Astronomy than just using a telescope.Have students pick objects they 'd like to look at using Stellarium , or some other software , that you can see with your telescope .
Get them involved or they 're likely to find it pretty boring .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Any Nebula you can see.
The Great Nebula in Orion is real easy to find.
Please do more than just pointing the scope at something and having them look.
Give them a tour of the winter circle.
Tell them a few stories of how some of the constellations and asterisms got their names.
There's so much more to Astronomy than just using a telescope.Have students pick objects they'd like to look at using Stellarium, or some other software, that you can see with your telescope.
Get them involved or they're likely to find it pretty boring.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091356</id>
	<title>Find a local astronomy Club!</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265021340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Well,</p><p>Seems like you had a load of replies and a lot of great suggestions! Personally I would save the moon for last as it will be very bright and will mess up your night vision if you view it first.<br>M42 should be quite visible in a 4 inch and is a great nebula to view.</p><p>I would suggest contacting a local Astronomy club, being a member of one myself we can provide bigger scopes for you and your students to look through, I personally would tote a 12.5 inch Dobs and a 8 inch Schmidt-cassegrain with other bringing 10 - 12 inch scopes as well. Plus we really enjoy doing that and everyone can hop scope to scope seeing much more and taking less time with just one scope.</p><p>Well I hope you make it to this post and I hope their is a club near you that will come out and help!</p><p>Most of all i hope it is Enjoyable for you!</p><p>
&nbsp;</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Well,Seems like you had a load of replies and a lot of great suggestions !
Personally I would save the moon for last as it will be very bright and will mess up your night vision if you view it first.M42 should be quite visible in a 4 inch and is a great nebula to view.I would suggest contacting a local Astronomy club , being a member of one myself we can provide bigger scopes for you and your students to look through , I personally would tote a 12.5 inch Dobs and a 8 inch Schmidt-cassegrain with other bringing 10 - 12 inch scopes as well .
Plus we really enjoy doing that and everyone can hop scope to scope seeing much more and taking less time with just one scope.Well I hope you make it to this post and I hope their is a club near you that will come out and help ! Most of all i hope it is Enjoyable for you !
 </tokentext>
<sentencetext>Well,Seems like you had a load of replies and a lot of great suggestions!
Personally I would save the moon for last as it will be very bright and will mess up your night vision if you view it first.M42 should be quite visible in a 4 inch and is a great nebula to view.I would suggest contacting a local Astronomy club, being a member of one myself we can provide bigger scopes for you and your students to look through, I personally would tote a 12.5 inch Dobs and a 8 inch Schmidt-cassegrain with other bringing 10 - 12 inch scopes as well.
Plus we really enjoy doing that and everyone can hop scope to scope seeing much more and taking less time with just one scope.Well I hope you make it to this post and I hope their is a club near you that will come out and help!Most of all i hope it is Enjoyable for you!
 </sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091532</id>
	<title>To start things off</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265022120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Any all-girls dorms nearby?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Any all-girls dorms nearby ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Any all-girls dorms nearby?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090852</id>
	<title>9th graders</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>For 9th graders and a 4" telescope under rural skies: the Moon, moons of Jupiter, rings of Saturn, phases of Venus, an open cluster, M13, and a color contrasting binary star such as Albireo.  Anything else will look like a faint smudge of light. Also, you might be able to mask a good portion of the aperture, and view sunspots from the projection of the sun.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>For 9th graders and a 4 " telescope under rural skies : the Moon , moons of Jupiter , rings of Saturn , phases of Venus , an open cluster , M13 , and a color contrasting binary star such as Albireo .
Anything else will look like a faint smudge of light .
Also , you might be able to mask a good portion of the aperture , and view sunspots from the projection of the sun .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>For 9th graders and a 4" telescope under rural skies: the Moon, moons of Jupiter, rings of Saturn, phases of Venus, an open cluster, M13, and a color contrasting binary star such as Albireo.
Anything else will look like a faint smudge of light.
Also, you might be able to mask a good portion of the aperture, and view sunspots from the projection of the sun.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31093578</id>
	<title>Orion</title>
	<author>juan2074</author>
	<datestamp>1265032680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Orion's dick</htmltext>
<tokenext>Orion 's dick</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Orion's dick</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091034</id>
	<title>Re:Look, stars! Dozens of them!</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265020200000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Living in the city, of course I never see stars. But when I make plans on vacation to be somewhere to specifically look at the stars, it's always cloudy. Or so they claim! I think this "stars" thing is just a myth or a joke being played on gullible city dwellers.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Living in the city , of course I never see stars .
But when I make plans on vacation to be somewhere to specifically look at the stars , it 's always cloudy .
Or so they claim !
I think this " stars " thing is just a myth or a joke being played on gullible city dwellers .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Living in the city, of course I never see stars.
But when I make plans on vacation to be somewhere to specifically look at the stars, it's always cloudy.
Or so they claim!
I think this "stars" thing is just a myth or a joke being played on gullible city dwellers.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090624</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31101178</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>Bourbonium</author>
	<datestamp>1265911620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>The first reflecting telescope I had as a young high school student included a sun filter that screwed into the either of the two lenses that came with it, so I could look directly at the sun and observe all kinds of things like giant flares and sunspots.  The green glass of the sun filter was probably similar to the material used in welding masks, as you could not see anything at all through it except the sun.</p><p>I saved my lawn mowing money for months to be able to afford that $58 K-mart blue light special, but it was definitely a worthwhile investment.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>The first reflecting telescope I had as a young high school student included a sun filter that screwed into the either of the two lenses that came with it , so I could look directly at the sun and observe all kinds of things like giant flares and sunspots .
The green glass of the sun filter was probably similar to the material used in welding masks , as you could not see anything at all through it except the sun.I saved my lawn mowing money for months to be able to afford that $ 58 K-mart blue light special , but it was definitely a worthwhile investment .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The first reflecting telescope I had as a young high school student included a sun filter that screwed into the either of the two lenses that came with it, so I could look directly at the sun and observe all kinds of things like giant flares and sunspots.
The green glass of the sun filter was probably similar to the material used in welding masks, as you could not see anything at all through it except the sun.I saved my lawn mowing money for months to be able to afford that $58 K-mart blue light special, but it was definitely a worthwhile investment.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091062</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31093194</id>
	<title>Re:Find a local astronomy club</title>
	<author>lotho brandybuck</author>
	<datestamp>1265030580000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Yes Yes Yes!!

And I'll bet local means up to 100 miles... amateurs are used to traveling for dark skies, they'll travel to share the hobby with kids.

I would.. of course, now I have kids, which means, I don't go anywhere!</htmltext>
<tokenext>Yes Yes Yes ! !
And I 'll bet local means up to 100 miles... amateurs are used to traveling for dark skies , they 'll travel to share the hobby with kids .
I would.. of course , now I have kids , which means , I do n't go anywhere !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Yes Yes Yes!!
And I'll bet local means up to 100 miles... amateurs are used to traveling for dark skies, they'll travel to share the hobby with kids.
I would.. of course, now I have kids, which means, I don't go anywhere!</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091598</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091634</id>
	<title>suggestions</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265022420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Through a 4" telescope you can't see any detail on planetary disks, but you can see more or less exactly what Galileo saw when he first used a telescope: moons of Jupiter, the shape of Saturn etc.  From a teaching perspective this should help: talk about his discoveries and what he inferred.</p><p>The moon (when not full) is rich in detail even through a small scope.   Mars is bright now: explain how its orbit brings it closest once every two years.<br>Direct observation of the sun by kids looking through a cheap scope is going to be dangerous even with a filter, and obviously pretty lethal without.   However with an appropriate set up you can use the scope to project the sun's disk safely onto a bit of card and everyone can observe sunspots (and compare with the latest images from SOHO).<br>Working through the history of astronomy: look up the Messier catalogue of 'fuzzy objects': the Orion nebula, the Pleides and other star clusters.   Explain what they are.</p><p>One other thing if you can pick your times is to try and observe satellites, the ISS etc.   NASA gives flyby times.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Through a 4 " telescope you ca n't see any detail on planetary disks , but you can see more or less exactly what Galileo saw when he first used a telescope : moons of Jupiter , the shape of Saturn etc .
From a teaching perspective this should help : talk about his discoveries and what he inferred.The moon ( when not full ) is rich in detail even through a small scope .
Mars is bright now : explain how its orbit brings it closest once every two years.Direct observation of the sun by kids looking through a cheap scope is going to be dangerous even with a filter , and obviously pretty lethal without .
However with an appropriate set up you can use the scope to project the sun 's disk safely onto a bit of card and everyone can observe sunspots ( and compare with the latest images from SOHO ) .Working through the history of astronomy : look up the Messier catalogue of 'fuzzy objects ' : the Orion nebula , the Pleides and other star clusters .
Explain what they are.One other thing if you can pick your times is to try and observe satellites , the ISS etc .
NASA gives flyby times .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Through a 4" telescope you can't see any detail on planetary disks, but you can see more or less exactly what Galileo saw when he first used a telescope: moons of Jupiter, the shape of Saturn etc.
From a teaching perspective this should help: talk about his discoveries and what he inferred.The moon (when not full) is rich in detail even through a small scope.
Mars is bright now: explain how its orbit brings it closest once every two years.Direct observation of the sun by kids looking through a cheap scope is going to be dangerous even with a filter, and obviously pretty lethal without.
However with an appropriate set up you can use the scope to project the sun's disk safely onto a bit of card and everyone can observe sunspots (and compare with the latest images from SOHO).Working through the history of astronomy: look up the Messier catalogue of 'fuzzy objects': the Orion nebula, the Pleides and other star clusters.
Explain what they are.One other thing if you can pick your times is to try and observe satellites, the ISS etc.
NASA gives flyby times.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091542</id>
	<title>Recommendation: www.skymaps.com</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265022120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Can I recommend the site www.skymaps.com ? They provide free for personal use monthly skymaps with notes of items to see with the naked eye, binoculars and small telescopes. Very handy for small groups.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Can I recommend the site www.skymaps.com ?
They provide free for personal use monthly skymaps with notes of items to see with the naked eye , binoculars and small telescopes .
Very handy for small groups .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Can I recommend the site www.skymaps.com ?
They provide free for personal use monthly skymaps with notes of items to see with the naked eye, binoculars and small telescopes.
Very handy for small groups.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31100176</id>
	<title>Re:Focus on the sky</title>
	<author>OutOfMyTree</author>
	<datestamp>1265906640000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>This sounds really good teaching advice.</p><p>I guess you are going to have several parents along on an evening activity. I would ask if any of them have a laptop or smartphone they can put Google Sky/other star maps on, so that there is plenty of accurate info floating around.</p><p>If people are bringing binoculars, encourage them to attach a neckstrap, and tell the kids that if there is one they \_must\_ put it on as soon as they are handed the binoculars.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>This sounds really good teaching advice.I guess you are going to have several parents along on an evening activity .
I would ask if any of them have a laptop or smartphone they can put Google Sky/other star maps on , so that there is plenty of accurate info floating around.If people are bringing binoculars , encourage them to attach a neckstrap , and tell the kids that if there is one they \ _must \ _ put it on as soon as they are handed the binoculars .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>This sounds really good teaching advice.I guess you are going to have several parents along on an evening activity.
I would ask if any of them have a laptop or smartphone they can put Google Sky/other star maps on, so that there is plenty of accurate info floating around.If people are bringing binoculars, encourage them to attach a neckstrap, and tell the kids that if there is one they \_must\_ put it on as soon as they are handed the binoculars.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091036</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31096464</id>
	<title>Easiest Answer</title>
	<author>DynaSoar</author>
	<datestamp>1265052540000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Get a book from your library (or interlibrary loan if yours is too small) that's suitable for your students as readers and as users of the equipment. Find something that's good enough that they could do it themselves. Then let them. Oh, you'd darn sure better be there, but if you want them to learn, let them learn to do.</p><p>BTW, everything having to do with learning to use the scope itself can be (and is best done) done inside during the day. Let them learn how first, then choose/plan what to look at, then go looking.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Get a book from your library ( or interlibrary loan if yours is too small ) that 's suitable for your students as readers and as users of the equipment .
Find something that 's good enough that they could do it themselves .
Then let them .
Oh , you 'd darn sure better be there , but if you want them to learn , let them learn to do.BTW , everything having to do with learning to use the scope itself can be ( and is best done ) done inside during the day .
Let them learn how first , then choose/plan what to look at , then go looking .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Get a book from your library (or interlibrary loan if yours is too small) that's suitable for your students as readers and as users of the equipment.
Find something that's good enough that they could do it themselves.
Then let them.
Oh, you'd darn sure better be there, but if you want them to learn, let them learn to do.BTW, everything having to do with learning to use the scope itself can be (and is best done) done inside during the day.
Let them learn how first, then choose/plan what to look at, then go looking.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092662</id>
	<title>Cloudy Nights</title>
	<author>jackbrownii</author>
	<datestamp>1265027880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Astronomy site/forums.

<a href="http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat=" title="cloudynights.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat=</a> [cloudynights.com]

Possibly the beginner's forum would be a good place to ask.

<a href="http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/beginners" title="cloudynights.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/beginners</a> [cloudynights.com]</htmltext>
<tokenext>Astronomy site/forums .
http : //www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php ? Cat = [ cloudynights.com ] Possibly the beginner 's forum would be a good place to ask .
http : //www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/beginners [ cloudynights.com ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Astronomy site/forums.
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat= [cloudynights.com]

Possibly the beginner's forum would be a good place to ask.
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/beginners [cloudynights.com]</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090794</id>
	<title>moon is good</title>
	<author>badpool</author>
	<datestamp>1265019240000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I think the moon idea is best. You can check out the craters, and if you make sure not to move the telescope, you'll be able to notice the movement of earth and moon relative to each other (i.e. the moon will edge closer to the edge of the scope's field of view as time goes on).</htmltext>
<tokenext>I think the moon idea is best .
You can check out the craters , and if you make sure not to move the telescope , you 'll be able to notice the movement of earth and moon relative to each other ( i.e .
the moon will edge closer to the edge of the scope 's field of view as time goes on ) .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I think the moon idea is best.
You can check out the craters, and if you make sure not to move the telescope, you'll be able to notice the movement of earth and moon relative to each other (i.e.
the moon will edge closer to the edge of the scope's field of view as time goes on).</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091562</id>
	<title>Whats objects to focus on...?</title>
	<author>Bobfrankly1</author>
	<datestamp>1265022180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Keep an eye out for open bedroom windows in the evening hours, you might catch a glimpse of some heavenly bodies. There's also the chance of some not so heavenly bodies, some as damaging to your eyes as the sun. So viewer beware!</htmltext>
<tokenext>Keep an eye out for open bedroom windows in the evening hours , you might catch a glimpse of some heavenly bodies .
There 's also the chance of some not so heavenly bodies , some as damaging to your eyes as the sun .
So viewer beware !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Keep an eye out for open bedroom windows in the evening hours, you might catch a glimpse of some heavenly bodies.
There's also the chance of some not so heavenly bodies, some as damaging to your eyes as the sun.
So viewer beware!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31093844</id>
	<title>The spacestation??</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265033700000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I'm not at all familiar with telescopes, but I know you can see satellites crossing the sky at night, so I imagine you'd be able to spot the ISS if you knew where to look. Seeing that in a telescope might be the kind of awing sight you were hoping for as an educator. Also, as a side note, I did something similar to this in middle school, our teacher arranged a night where me met at the school field at 7 and got to be guided through use of a telescope by an expert. It was a poor experience educationally. With 20 of us in the field and it being dark, distractions were constant, and fewer than 5 of us were paying attention at any given time. Only one person could view it at a time, and often the handoff would result in inadvertant bumping, so our guide had to recheck the sites after every person viewed it. It took a really long time for us to see anything (oh look, a blue blur, fascinating), and after 2 or 3 planets and an hour and a half we called it quits. This was my one experience with using a telescope, and it was totally lame. The guide frequently lamented how we should be doing it further out in the country, the street lights were ruining our visibility, meanwhile concerned parents stood bye questioning why they would bring their kids out into a dark field at night in the first place for this ineffectual attempt at science. If you really want to give the kids the real experience, keep groups small and focused on one or two objects. I would consider breaking them into different teams and assigning them each an object listed by some of the informative posts listed here (spacestation doesnt have to make the cut, IANAA), have them research some of the history of observing that object, the objects course thru space, the different meanings societies gave to some of the objects, and then let them go out and try to find it, and observe it. A big part of making this educational is helping them understand what they're looking at, and the significance of them being able to do so.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I 'm not at all familiar with telescopes , but I know you can see satellites crossing the sky at night , so I imagine you 'd be able to spot the ISS if you knew where to look .
Seeing that in a telescope might be the kind of awing sight you were hoping for as an educator .
Also , as a side note , I did something similar to this in middle school , our teacher arranged a night where me met at the school field at 7 and got to be guided through use of a telescope by an expert .
It was a poor experience educationally .
With 20 of us in the field and it being dark , distractions were constant , and fewer than 5 of us were paying attention at any given time .
Only one person could view it at a time , and often the handoff would result in inadvertant bumping , so our guide had to recheck the sites after every person viewed it .
It took a really long time for us to see anything ( oh look , a blue blur , fascinating ) , and after 2 or 3 planets and an hour and a half we called it quits .
This was my one experience with using a telescope , and it was totally lame .
The guide frequently lamented how we should be doing it further out in the country , the street lights were ruining our visibility , meanwhile concerned parents stood bye questioning why they would bring their kids out into a dark field at night in the first place for this ineffectual attempt at science .
If you really want to give the kids the real experience , keep groups small and focused on one or two objects .
I would consider breaking them into different teams and assigning them each an object listed by some of the informative posts listed here ( spacestation doesnt have to make the cut , IANAA ) , have them research some of the history of observing that object , the objects course thru space , the different meanings societies gave to some of the objects , and then let them go out and try to find it , and observe it .
A big part of making this educational is helping them understand what they 're looking at , and the significance of them being able to do so .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I'm not at all familiar with telescopes, but I know you can see satellites crossing the sky at night, so I imagine you'd be able to spot the ISS if you knew where to look.
Seeing that in a telescope might be the kind of awing sight you were hoping for as an educator.
Also, as a side note, I did something similar to this in middle school, our teacher arranged a night where me met at the school field at 7 and got to be guided through use of a telescope by an expert.
It was a poor experience educationally.
With 20 of us in the field and it being dark, distractions were constant, and fewer than 5 of us were paying attention at any given time.
Only one person could view it at a time, and often the handoff would result in inadvertant bumping, so our guide had to recheck the sites after every person viewed it.
It took a really long time for us to see anything (oh look, a blue blur, fascinating), and after 2 or 3 planets and an hour and a half we called it quits.
This was my one experience with using a telescope, and it was totally lame.
The guide frequently lamented how we should be doing it further out in the country, the street lights were ruining our visibility, meanwhile concerned parents stood bye questioning why they would bring their kids out into a dark field at night in the first place for this ineffectual attempt at science.
If you really want to give the kids the real experience, keep groups small and focused on one or two objects.
I would consider breaking them into different teams and assigning them each an object listed by some of the informative posts listed here (spacestation doesnt have to make the cut, IANAA), have them research some of the history of observing that object, the objects course thru space, the different meanings societies gave to some of the objects, and then let them go out and try to find it, and observe it.
A big part of making this educational is helping them understand what they're looking at, and the significance of them being able to do so.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092772</id>
	<title>naked eye viewing</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265028540000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Using http://www.heavens-above.com I was very impressed with seeing the space station zoom by during a clear day</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Using http : //www.heavens-above.com I was very impressed with seeing the space station zoom by during a clear day</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Using http://www.heavens-above.com I was very impressed with seeing the space station zoom by during a clear day</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090960</id>
	<title>Heavens Above!</title>
	<author>mungewell</author>
	<datestamp>1265019900000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>As well as all the previously mentioned objects (moon/planents/etc.) you could consider man made stuff as well including ISS, satelite 'flashes', radio beacons from satelites.</p><p>There's a real time 'calculator' here:<br><a href="http://www.heavens-above.com./" title="www.heavens-above.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.heavens-above.com./</a> [www.heavens-above.com]</p><p>These would help you students understand orbits.... even just a simple GPS reciver which shows which satellites are above you would be cool.<br>Mungewell.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>As well as all the previously mentioned objects ( moon/planents/etc .
) you could consider man made stuff as well including ISS , satelite 'flashes ' , radio beacons from satelites.There 's a real time 'calculator ' here : http : //www.heavens-above.com./ [ www.heavens-above.com ] These would help you students understand orbits.... even just a simple GPS reciver which shows which satellites are above you would be cool.Mungewell .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>As well as all the previously mentioned objects (moon/planents/etc.
) you could consider man made stuff as well including ISS, satelite 'flashes', radio beacons from satelites.There's a real time 'calculator' here:http://www.heavens-above.com./ [www.heavens-above.com]These would help you students understand orbits.... even just a simple GPS reciver which shows which satellites are above you would be cool.Mungewell.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092986</id>
	<title>Satellites.</title>
	<author>Gordonjcp</author>
	<datestamp>1265029500000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There are lots of low Earth orbit satellites that you can't see them with a telescope - but you can track with a simple aerial and UHF handheld radio.  The obvious benefit of this is that it doesn't really matter if it's cloudy or daytime; if the satellite is up there you'll hear it and be able to track it across the sky.  Bonus prize for learning enough Morse to understand its callsign.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There are lots of low Earth orbit satellites that you ca n't see them with a telescope - but you can track with a simple aerial and UHF handheld radio .
The obvious benefit of this is that it does n't really matter if it 's cloudy or daytime ; if the satellite is up there you 'll hear it and be able to track it across the sky .
Bonus prize for learning enough Morse to understand its callsign .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There are lots of low Earth orbit satellites that you can't see them with a telescope - but you can track with a simple aerial and UHF handheld radio.
The obvious benefit of this is that it doesn't really matter if it's cloudy or daytime; if the satellite is up there you'll hear it and be able to track it across the sky.
Bonus prize for learning enough Morse to understand its callsign.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31098678</id>
	<title>Shortlist depends on the time of year</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265899080000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>A shortlist depends on the time of year.</p><p>Mars is currently up there, but unless you can manage 200x magnification, you're not going to get anything more than a orange/pink dot.</p><p>The ET cluster is ALWAYS a good one. Near the shallower point in Cassiopeia and about 1/2 a degree across, use ~40x magnification. Orion nebula is another must-have.</p><p>Saturn will be up at night soon (currently not reasonably up by 10pm) and though it's not really any bigger than mars (body is smaller, with the rings, wider), but it IS obvious what it's doing.</p><p>Andromeda is great to show how boring astronomy can be.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-) It really is a good example of what a "fuzzy" is in astronomy.</p><p>For open clusters, the Auriga tripe are nice, if nothing more.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>A shortlist depends on the time of year.Mars is currently up there , but unless you can manage 200x magnification , you 're not going to get anything more than a orange/pink dot.The ET cluster is ALWAYS a good one .
Near the shallower point in Cassiopeia and about 1/2 a degree across , use ~ 40x magnification .
Orion nebula is another must-have.Saturn will be up at night soon ( currently not reasonably up by 10pm ) and though it 's not really any bigger than mars ( body is smaller , with the rings , wider ) , but it IS obvious what it 's doing.Andromeda is great to show how boring astronomy can be .
: - ) It really is a good example of what a " fuzzy " is in astronomy.For open clusters , the Auriga tripe are nice , if nothing more .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>A shortlist depends on the time of year.Mars is currently up there, but unless you can manage 200x magnification, you're not going to get anything more than a orange/pink dot.The ET cluster is ALWAYS a good one.
Near the shallower point in Cassiopeia and about 1/2 a degree across, use ~40x magnification.
Orion nebula is another must-have.Saturn will be up at night soon (currently not reasonably up by 10pm) and though it's not really any bigger than mars (body is smaller, with the rings, wider), but it IS obvious what it's doing.Andromeda is great to show how boring astronomy can be.
:-) It really is a good example of what a "fuzzy" is in astronomy.For open clusters, the Auriga tripe are nice, if nothing more.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090666</id>
	<title>Stellarium</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265018640000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Download Stellarium for free and explore with your PC.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Download Stellarium for free and explore with your PC .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Download Stellarium for free and explore with your PC.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092710</id>
	<title>Sunspots</title>
	<author>Alarindris</author>
	<datestamp>1265028180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>We did this when I was in 7th grade and kept track of the sunspots.  I don't remember if we saw rotation or not, but we did see some sunspots come and go.<br> <br>

I remember this being very profound.  The sun isn't just a light in the sky, it's a huge burning nuclear reaction way the fuck out there and we can still feel the heat!</htmltext>
<tokenext>We did this when I was in 7th grade and kept track of the sunspots .
I do n't remember if we saw rotation or not , but we did see some sunspots come and go .
I remember this being very profound .
The sun is n't just a light in the sky , it 's a huge burning nuclear reaction way the fuck out there and we can still feel the heat !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>We did this when I was in 7th grade and kept track of the sunspots.
I don't remember if we saw rotation or not, but we did see some sunspots come and go.
I remember this being very profound.
The sun isn't just a light in the sky, it's a huge burning nuclear reaction way the fuck out there and we can still feel the heat!</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091062</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090822</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019300000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>The Sun can be dangerous, it can litterally burn your eye out.  Try posting this question on one of two web sites, www.cloudynights.com or www.astromart.com (both of which are astronomy related web sites) which will give you far more information than is availalbe here.</p><p>Also, consider having a local astronomy club come in and do a show and tell.  The night sky can be rather unforgiving and frustrating if you don't know what to look for.  Having someone guide you through finding things will make it much easier for your students.</p><p>To suplement your equipment, try getting a few of these:  https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/.  You could have the students take a couple of them home on a rotating basis and at twenty bucks or so each (plus shipping) its not a huge loss if one gets broken.</p><p>The "Turn Left at Orion" book is a good book.  Also, I would be remiss if posting on slashdot and I didn't mention some piece of technology.  Try looking for a "Celestron Sky Scout".... a fun little device that lets you sight through the viewfinder and will guide you to items in the night sky.  It is expensive ($250.00) so it may not be in your budget.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>The Sun can be dangerous , it can litterally burn your eye out .
Try posting this question on one of two web sites , www.cloudynights.com or www.astromart.com ( both of which are astronomy related web sites ) which will give you far more information than is availalbe here.Also , consider having a local astronomy club come in and do a show and tell .
The night sky can be rather unforgiving and frustrating if you do n't know what to look for .
Having someone guide you through finding things will make it much easier for your students.To suplement your equipment , try getting a few of these : https : //www.galileoscope.org/gs/ .
You could have the students take a couple of them home on a rotating basis and at twenty bucks or so each ( plus shipping ) its not a huge loss if one gets broken.The " Turn Left at Orion " book is a good book .
Also , I would be remiss if posting on slashdot and I did n't mention some piece of technology .
Try looking for a " Celestron Sky Scout " .... a fun little device that lets you sight through the viewfinder and will guide you to items in the night sky .
It is expensive ( $ 250.00 ) so it may not be in your budget .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The Sun can be dangerous, it can litterally burn your eye out.
Try posting this question on one of two web sites, www.cloudynights.com or www.astromart.com (both of which are astronomy related web sites) which will give you far more information than is availalbe here.Also, consider having a local astronomy club come in and do a show and tell.
The night sky can be rather unforgiving and frustrating if you don't know what to look for.
Having someone guide you through finding things will make it much easier for your students.To suplement your equipment, try getting a few of these:  https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/.
You could have the students take a couple of them home on a rotating basis and at twenty bucks or so each (plus shipping) its not a huge loss if one gets broken.The "Turn Left at Orion" book is a good book.
Also, I would be remiss if posting on slashdot and I didn't mention some piece of technology.
Try looking for a "Celestron Sky Scout".... a fun little device that lets you sight through the viewfinder and will guide you to items in the night sky.
It is expensive ($250.00) so it may not be in your budget.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090832</id>
	<title>... nobody?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019300000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Uranus.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Uranus .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Uranus.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091424</id>
	<title>Cross Subject Lesson</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265021640000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Might I also suggest the bedroom window of the young widow Johnson at about 10:30pm...</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Might I also suggest the bedroom window of the young widow Johnson at about 10 : 30pm.. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Might I also suggest the bedroom window of the young widow Johnson at about 10:30pm...</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31106346</id>
	<title>Plan for 2012</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265888400000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I had a feeling it was coming soon, and sure enough there's a website up to help educators promote it: http://www.transitofvenus.org/<br>From the wikipedia entry on the transit of venus:</p><p>"Transits of Venus are among the rarest of predictable astronomical phenomena and currently occur in a pattern that repeats every 243 years, with pairs of transits eight years apart separated by long gaps of 121.5 years and 105.5 years."</p><p>The timing of this transit was used in 1761 and 1769 to help astronomers determine parallax, a defined astronomical unit, which helped us establish latitude and longitude as well as a rough size of the cosmos, with what we would today consider very primitive tools. This was done by securing hasty treaties with governments around the world so that astronomers could set up all around the world and record (with newly developed pocket watches) the exact timing of the transit from their particular vantage point. The event made it's way into fiction, in the brilliant Mason &amp; Dixon by Thomas Pynchon, which is where I first fell for its charms. Learning about this gave me an entirely new respect for astronomy, and it just so happens the timing works pretty well, as the first of the pair occured in 2006, and the next will occur in 2012. I know thats not this year, but it's one hell of a lesson on astronomy.</p><p>"Tis time to set sail,<br>Farewell, Portsmouth Ale,<br>Ta-ta to the gay can-tinas,<br>For we're off my Girl, to the end of the world<br>To be there, ere the Tran-sit of Venus.-<br>The Godess of love, Shining Above,<br>Without a bit of Meanness,<br>Tho' we'll have no more fun till shes' cross'd o'er the Sun,<br>'Tis ho, for the Transit of Venus!<br>Out where the trade winds blow,<br>Further than Sailors go,<br>If it's not Ice and Snow,<br>'Twill be hotter than Hell, we know,<br>So!<br>Wave to your Dear, stow all your gear, and<br>Show a bit of keanness,<br>Bid Molly adieu,<br>She isn't for you,-<br>For you're for the Transit of Venus!"<br>-Thomas Pynchon</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I had a feeling it was coming soon , and sure enough there 's a website up to help educators promote it : http : //www.transitofvenus.org/From the wikipedia entry on the transit of venus : " Transits of Venus are among the rarest of predictable astronomical phenomena and currently occur in a pattern that repeats every 243 years , with pairs of transits eight years apart separated by long gaps of 121.5 years and 105.5 years .
" The timing of this transit was used in 1761 and 1769 to help astronomers determine parallax , a defined astronomical unit , which helped us establish latitude and longitude as well as a rough size of the cosmos , with what we would today consider very primitive tools .
This was done by securing hasty treaties with governments around the world so that astronomers could set up all around the world and record ( with newly developed pocket watches ) the exact timing of the transit from their particular vantage point .
The event made it 's way into fiction , in the brilliant Mason &amp; Dixon by Thomas Pynchon , which is where I first fell for its charms .
Learning about this gave me an entirely new respect for astronomy , and it just so happens the timing works pretty well , as the first of the pair occured in 2006 , and the next will occur in 2012 .
I know thats not this year , but it 's one hell of a lesson on astronomy .
" T is time to set sail,Farewell , Portsmouth Ale,Ta-ta to the gay can-tinas,For we 're off my Girl , to the end of the worldTo be there , ere the Tran-sit of Venus.-The Godess of love , Shining Above,Without a bit of Meanness,Tho ' we 'll have no more fun till shes ' cross 'd o'er the Sun,'T is ho , for the Transit of Venus ! Out where the trade winds blow,Further than Sailors go,If it 's not Ice and Snow,'Twill be hotter than Hell , we know,So ! Wave to your Dear , stow all your gear , andShow a bit of keanness,Bid Molly adieu,She is n't for you,-For you 're for the Transit of Venus !
" -Thomas Pynchon</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I had a feeling it was coming soon, and sure enough there's a website up to help educators promote it: http://www.transitofvenus.org/From the wikipedia entry on the transit of venus:"Transits of Venus are among the rarest of predictable astronomical phenomena and currently occur in a pattern that repeats every 243 years, with pairs of transits eight years apart separated by long gaps of 121.5 years and 105.5 years.
"The timing of this transit was used in 1761 and 1769 to help astronomers determine parallax, a defined astronomical unit, which helped us establish latitude and longitude as well as a rough size of the cosmos, with what we would today consider very primitive tools.
This was done by securing hasty treaties with governments around the world so that astronomers could set up all around the world and record (with newly developed pocket watches) the exact timing of the transit from their particular vantage point.
The event made it's way into fiction, in the brilliant Mason &amp; Dixon by Thomas Pynchon, which is where I first fell for its charms.
Learning about this gave me an entirely new respect for astronomy, and it just so happens the timing works pretty well, as the first of the pair occured in 2006, and the next will occur in 2012.
I know thats not this year, but it's one hell of a lesson on astronomy.
"Tis time to set sail,Farewell, Portsmouth Ale,Ta-ta to the gay can-tinas,For we're off my Girl, to the end of the worldTo be there, ere the Tran-sit of Venus.-The Godess of love, Shining Above,Without a bit of Meanness,Tho' we'll have no more fun till shes' cross'd o'er the Sun,'Tis ho, for the Transit of Venus!Out where the trade winds blow,Further than Sailors go,If it's not Ice and Snow,'Twill be hotter than Hell, we know,So!Wave to your Dear, stow all your gear, andShow a bit of keanness,Bid Molly adieu,She isn't for you,-For you're for the Transit of Venus!
"-Thomas Pynchon</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31091152</id>
	<title>Variables?</title>
	<author>vlm</author>
	<datestamp>1265020680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I know its not a one night job, but maybe some visual observations of variables for extra credit thru the entire year?</p><p>Yeah it is a bit late to start now:</p><p>You'll be spending alot of time at the AAVSO website, may as well start here:</p><p><a href="http://www.aavso.org/publications/manual/" title="aavso.org">http://www.aavso.org/publications/manual/</a> [aavso.org]</p><p>Basically, you learn two skills, star hopping from beta cep to tau cep, and then you compare the brightness of tau cep with its neighbors which have fixed, known magnitudes to estimate tau cep magnitude today.</p><p><a href="http://www.aavso.org/images/starhopping.gif" title="aavso.org">http://www.aavso.org/images/starhopping.gif</a> [aavso.org]</p><p>It has the virtue of being free, if nothing else.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I know its not a one night job , but maybe some visual observations of variables for extra credit thru the entire year ? Yeah it is a bit late to start now : You 'll be spending alot of time at the AAVSO website , may as well start here : http : //www.aavso.org/publications/manual/ [ aavso.org ] Basically , you learn two skills , star hopping from beta cep to tau cep , and then you compare the brightness of tau cep with its neighbors which have fixed , known magnitudes to estimate tau cep magnitude today.http : //www.aavso.org/images/starhopping.gif [ aavso.org ] It has the virtue of being free , if nothing else .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I know its not a one night job, but maybe some visual observations of variables for extra credit thru the entire year?Yeah it is a bit late to start now:You'll be spending alot of time at the AAVSO website, may as well start here:http://www.aavso.org/publications/manual/ [aavso.org]Basically, you learn two skills, star hopping from beta cep to tau cep, and then you compare the brightness of tau cep with its neighbors which have fixed, known magnitudes to estimate tau cep magnitude today.http://www.aavso.org/images/starhopping.gif [aavso.org]It has the virtue of being free, if nothing else.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092390</id>
	<title>Re:Venus</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265025960000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I would also make sure you pick up a sky map for that month, and pass them out as handouts.  Teach them how to use it and even if your observing nights are a washout they can still do some observing on their own.  Teaching them how to find some of the constellations might be all they remember of your class in 20 years.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I would also make sure you pick up a sky map for that month , and pass them out as handouts .
Teach them how to use it and even if your observing nights are a washout they can still do some observing on their own .
Teaching them how to find some of the constellations might be all they remember of your class in 20 years .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I would also make sure you pick up a sky map for that month, and pass them out as handouts.
Teach them how to use it and even if your observing nights are a washout they can still do some observing on their own.
Teaching them how to find some of the constellations might be all they remember of your class in 20 years.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090834</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090922</id>
	<title>Teach them how to read a map...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265019720000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>... a map of the sky.  Show them star charts. Do a basic polar alignment of your scope (assuming it as an equitorial mount), point the scope to a known object like Sirius and set the setting circles, then have them find a prominent object by star hopping, then by dialing in the R.A. and Declination.  Use a nice wide-angle eyepiece - calculate the field of view based on the focal lenght of your scope and the eyepiece.</p><p>Astronomy is a great segway into optics, cartography, geometry.  All easy things to demonstrate and play with in the classroom.</p><p>Dan</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>... a map of the sky .
Show them star charts .
Do a basic polar alignment of your scope ( assuming it as an equitorial mount ) , point the scope to a known object like Sirius and set the setting circles , then have them find a prominent object by star hopping , then by dialing in the R.A. and Declination .
Use a nice wide-angle eyepiece - calculate the field of view based on the focal lenght of your scope and the eyepiece.Astronomy is a great segway into optics , cartography , geometry .
All easy things to demonstrate and play with in the classroom.Dan</tokentext>
<sentencetext>... a map of the sky.
Show them star charts.
Do a basic polar alignment of your scope (assuming it as an equitorial mount), point the scope to a known object like Sirius and set the setting circles, then have them find a prominent object by star hopping, then by dialing in the R.A. and Declination.
Use a nice wide-angle eyepiece - calculate the field of view based on the focal lenght of your scope and the eyepiece.Astronomy is a great segway into optics, cartography, geometry.
All easy things to demonstrate and play with in the classroom.Dan</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31095488</id>
	<title>You are new to telescopes?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265043960000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Wait one second.  You are as new to the telescope as your students and you are giving them a unit on astronomy?  No wonder the US education system sucks ass here.  I can bet you know little to nothing about aperture let alone f-stops and the relation between the two.</p><p>You're better off taking them on a field trip to an actual observatory that knows what the hell they're talking about.  At least they'll get more out of that than your sorry-ass degree in teaching.</p><p>Teachers are all alike in the US school system.  Get a degree in elementary or secondary education but don't bother to learn anything else so they have something to teach.  Oh that's right, I forgot.  Teachers have students read text books put together by publishers because the teachers are too inept to put together a curriculum on their own put together by their own brain.</p><p>Go back to the university where you obtained your fucking degree and ask for your money back.  Dumb ass.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Wait one second .
You are as new to the telescope as your students and you are giving them a unit on astronomy ?
No wonder the US education system sucks ass here .
I can bet you know little to nothing about aperture let alone f-stops and the relation between the two.You 're better off taking them on a field trip to an actual observatory that knows what the hell they 're talking about .
At least they 'll get more out of that than your sorry-ass degree in teaching.Teachers are all alike in the US school system .
Get a degree in elementary or secondary education but do n't bother to learn anything else so they have something to teach .
Oh that 's right , I forgot .
Teachers have students read text books put together by publishers because the teachers are too inept to put together a curriculum on their own put together by their own brain.Go back to the university where you obtained your fucking degree and ask for your money back .
Dumb ass .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Wait one second.
You are as new to the telescope as your students and you are giving them a unit on astronomy?
No wonder the US education system sucks ass here.
I can bet you know little to nothing about aperture let alone f-stops and the relation between the two.You're better off taking them on a field trip to an actual observatory that knows what the hell they're talking about.
At least they'll get more out of that than your sorry-ass degree in teaching.Teachers are all alike in the US school system.
Get a degree in elementary or secondary education but don't bother to learn anything else so they have something to teach.
Oh that's right, I forgot.
Teachers have students read text books put together by publishers because the teachers are too inept to put together a curriculum on their own put together by their own brain.Go back to the university where you obtained your fucking degree and ask for your money back.
Dumb ass.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090776</id>
	<title>Spring visibilty is good.</title>
	<author>skinny.net</author>
	<datestamp>1265019180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>3</modscore>
	<htmltext>Link to general visibility -- <a href="onesiteofmany" title="slashdot.org" rel="nofollow">http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mjpowell/Astro/Naked-Eye-Planets/Naked-Eye-Planets.htm</a> [slashdot.org] <br> <br>Your geographical location doesn't matter too much in spring, as you'll get plenty of viewing along the ecliptic.<br> <br>I think the linked site is for northern hemisphere.  Hope your kids understand ecliptic before you're done.<br> <br>More links like it?  google terms: planets visibility 2010</htmltext>
<tokenext>Link to general visibility -- http : //homepage.ntlworld.com/mjpowell/Astro/Naked-Eye-Planets/Naked-Eye-Planets.htm [ slashdot.org ] Your geographical location does n't matter too much in spring , as you 'll get plenty of viewing along the ecliptic .
I think the linked site is for northern hemisphere .
Hope your kids understand ecliptic before you 're done .
More links like it ?
google terms : planets visibility 2010</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Link to general visibility -- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mjpowell/Astro/Naked-Eye-Planets/Naked-Eye-Planets.htm [slashdot.org]  Your geographical location doesn't matter too much in spring, as you'll get plenty of viewing along the ecliptic.
I think the linked site is for northern hemisphere.
Hope your kids understand ecliptic before you're done.
More links like it?
google terms: planets visibility 2010</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092162</id>
	<title>Tips from an amature astronomer</title>
	<author>id est</author>
	<datestamp>1265024580000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I've regularly volunteered to give astronomy classes to the Girl Scouts in my area using a 4.5" Newtonian telescope.  The kids, teachers, and myself always have a great time.</p><p>I hope the following ideas will help out:</p><p> <b>*** ENVIRONMENT ***</b> </p><ol>
<li>Choose a dark sky area away from city lights.<br>
The farther away you are from the city and any local street lamps or cars, the more objects you'll be able to see.</li>
<li>Choose nights that are as close as possible to the new moon.</li>
<li>Setup the telescope outside for at least 30 minutes before using it.<br>
This lets the optics come to thermal equilibrium with the ambient outside temperature.  If you don't do this; the image will waver and be quite blurry while the optics expand/contract.</li>
<li>Let everyone's eyes become use to the dark.<br>
It will take about 30 minutes from the last exposure to white light for our eyes to get acquainted to the dark.  We see much better after that.  I'd suggest using the time for discussions and naked eye observations.</li>
<li>If you have to have a light source, only use flash lights with a red filter.<br>
Using red light helps us keep that night vision just mentioned.</li>
</ol><p>

<b>*** OBJECTS ***</b>

</p><p>The objects you have available all depend upon what latitude you're located, and what time of year.</p><p>Depending on your time constraints, and the attention span of 9th graders; you probably only want to pick 3 - 4 objects.  Make sure you know what they are, have background info on them, and have <i>used the telescope to spot them before</i>.  If you're not practiced at using a telescope, it can be quite frustrating finding the correct objects you want at first.  Even with a spotting scope.</p><p> <b>Stars</b>  Taking a look at a star in a telescope is only going to give you a pin point of light; and possibly some color.  For effect, I like showing the contrast between naked eye observations and using the telescope.  Personally, I like using double/triple star systems.  Let the kids make note of "one star".  Then, when looking through the telescope it becomes apparent that the <em>one</em> star is actually 2 or 3.  The 2 or 3 stars that you see might not be a binary or tertiary star system, but are in fact just appear to be because of their line of sight.</p><p> <b>Star clusters</b>  Again, I like using star clusters to show them what the telescope brings out.  The Pleiades is a fantastic example.  Naked eye observations only shows 6 stars.  With the telescope this becomes hundreds.</p><p> <b>Nebulae</b>  A 4" telescope wont bring out a lot of detail on nebula, but you will be able to see it.  Depending upon which one you look at.  I love using the Orion's nebula; but since its a winter constellation you might not have this option.</p><p>If you decide to look at a nebula; there is a trick to it.  Don't look at it directly.  Focus the telescope on the nebula.  Now, as you look, focus your attention just to the side of it.  The wispy body of nebula appear best just to the side of where you are actually looking.  Also, move the point of where you are looking - not the telescope, your eye.  This movement also brings out more of the nebula's wispy appearance.</p><p> <b>Galaxy</b>  Use the same observational tricks to view a galaxy as you do with a nebula.</p><p> <b>Planets</b>  Mars is at its closest to Earth it has been in a very long time.  Its great through a telescope.  Even better is Jupiter.  Its quite large and, depending upon the date/time, you'll be able to see up to 4 of the Jovian moons.  However, the tried and true show stopper for most of my observations has always been Saturn.  To me its not as big, nor are the moons as easy to spot.  But the rings always bring out a gasp among the kids.</p><p>

Best of luck!</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I 've regularly volunteered to give astronomy classes to the Girl Scouts in my area using a 4.5 " Newtonian telescope .
The kids , teachers , and myself always have a great time.I hope the following ideas will help out : * * * ENVIRONMENT * * * Choose a dark sky area away from city lights .
The farther away you are from the city and any local street lamps or cars , the more objects you 'll be able to see .
Choose nights that are as close as possible to the new moon .
Setup the telescope outside for at least 30 minutes before using it .
This lets the optics come to thermal equilibrium with the ambient outside temperature .
If you do n't do this ; the image will waver and be quite blurry while the optics expand/contract .
Let everyone 's eyes become use to the dark .
It will take about 30 minutes from the last exposure to white light for our eyes to get acquainted to the dark .
We see much better after that .
I 'd suggest using the time for discussions and naked eye observations .
If you have to have a light source , only use flash lights with a red filter .
Using red light helps us keep that night vision just mentioned .
* * * OBJECTS * * * The objects you have available all depend upon what latitude you 're located , and what time of year.Depending on your time constraints , and the attention span of 9th graders ; you probably only want to pick 3 - 4 objects .
Make sure you know what they are , have background info on them , and have used the telescope to spot them before .
If you 're not practiced at using a telescope , it can be quite frustrating finding the correct objects you want at first .
Even with a spotting scope .
Stars Taking a look at a star in a telescope is only going to give you a pin point of light ; and possibly some color .
For effect , I like showing the contrast between naked eye observations and using the telescope .
Personally , I like using double/triple star systems .
Let the kids make note of " one star " .
Then , when looking through the telescope it becomes apparent that the one star is actually 2 or 3 .
The 2 or 3 stars that you see might not be a binary or tertiary star system , but are in fact just appear to be because of their line of sight .
Star clusters Again , I like using star clusters to show them what the telescope brings out .
The Pleiades is a fantastic example .
Naked eye observations only shows 6 stars .
With the telescope this becomes hundreds .
Nebulae A 4 " telescope wont bring out a lot of detail on nebula , but you will be able to see it .
Depending upon which one you look at .
I love using the Orion 's nebula ; but since its a winter constellation you might not have this option.If you decide to look at a nebula ; there is a trick to it .
Do n't look at it directly .
Focus the telescope on the nebula .
Now , as you look , focus your attention just to the side of it .
The wispy body of nebula appear best just to the side of where you are actually looking .
Also , move the point of where you are looking - not the telescope , your eye .
This movement also brings out more of the nebula 's wispy appearance .
Galaxy Use the same observational tricks to view a galaxy as you do with a nebula .
Planets Mars is at its closest to Earth it has been in a very long time .
Its great through a telescope .
Even better is Jupiter .
Its quite large and , depending upon the date/time , you 'll be able to see up to 4 of the Jovian moons .
However , the tried and true show stopper for most of my observations has always been Saturn .
To me its not as big , nor are the moons as easy to spot .
But the rings always bring out a gasp among the kids .
Best of luck !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I've regularly volunteered to give astronomy classes to the Girl Scouts in my area using a 4.5" Newtonian telescope.
The kids, teachers, and myself always have a great time.I hope the following ideas will help out: *** ENVIRONMENT *** 
Choose a dark sky area away from city lights.
The farther away you are from the city and any local street lamps or cars, the more objects you'll be able to see.
Choose nights that are as close as possible to the new moon.
Setup the telescope outside for at least 30 minutes before using it.
This lets the optics come to thermal equilibrium with the ambient outside temperature.
If you don't do this; the image will waver and be quite blurry while the optics expand/contract.
Let everyone's eyes become use to the dark.
It will take about 30 minutes from the last exposure to white light for our eyes to get acquainted to the dark.
We see much better after that.
I'd suggest using the time for discussions and naked eye observations.
If you have to have a light source, only use flash lights with a red filter.
Using red light helps us keep that night vision just mentioned.
*** OBJECTS ***

The objects you have available all depend upon what latitude you're located, and what time of year.Depending on your time constraints, and the attention span of 9th graders; you probably only want to pick 3 - 4 objects.
Make sure you know what they are, have background info on them, and have used the telescope to spot them before.
If you're not practiced at using a telescope, it can be quite frustrating finding the correct objects you want at first.
Even with a spotting scope.
Stars  Taking a look at a star in a telescope is only going to give you a pin point of light; and possibly some color.
For effect, I like showing the contrast between naked eye observations and using the telescope.
Personally, I like using double/triple star systems.
Let the kids make note of "one star".
Then, when looking through the telescope it becomes apparent that the one star is actually 2 or 3.
The 2 or 3 stars that you see might not be a binary or tertiary star system, but are in fact just appear to be because of their line of sight.
Star clusters  Again, I like using star clusters to show them what the telescope brings out.
The Pleiades is a fantastic example.
Naked eye observations only shows 6 stars.
With the telescope this becomes hundreds.
Nebulae  A 4" telescope wont bring out a lot of detail on nebula, but you will be able to see it.
Depending upon which one you look at.
I love using the Orion's nebula; but since its a winter constellation you might not have this option.If you decide to look at a nebula; there is a trick to it.
Don't look at it directly.
Focus the telescope on the nebula.
Now, as you look, focus your attention just to the side of it.
The wispy body of nebula appear best just to the side of where you are actually looking.
Also, move the point of where you are looking - not the telescope, your eye.
This movement also brings out more of the nebula's wispy appearance.
Galaxy  Use the same observational tricks to view a galaxy as you do with a nebula.
Planets  Mars is at its closest to Earth it has been in a very long time.
Its great through a telescope.
Even better is Jupiter.
Its quite large and, depending upon the date/time, you'll be able to see up to 4 of the Jovian moons.
However, the tried and true show stopper for most of my observations has always been Saturn.
To me its not as big, nor are the moons as easy to spot.
But the rings always bring out a gasp among the kids.
Best of luck!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31092070</id>
	<title>Let's talk about getting him decent gear</title>
	<author>jeko</author>
	<datestamp>1265024160000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>OK, so everyone agrees a lens just bigger than a pair of eyeglasses isn't gonna get it done. Let's talk about getting him better gear. Can he grind a bigger lens? Can someone donate? Would an array of mirrors be possible? If MacGuyver's life depended on finding the red spot on Jupiter, and all he had was a pack of gum and a lighter, how we he get it done?</htmltext>
<tokenext>OK , so everyone agrees a lens just bigger than a pair of eyeglasses is n't gon na get it done .
Let 's talk about getting him better gear .
Can he grind a bigger lens ?
Can someone donate ?
Would an array of mirrors be possible ?
If MacGuyver 's life depended on finding the red spot on Jupiter , and all he had was a pack of gum and a lighter , how we he get it done ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>OK, so everyone agrees a lens just bigger than a pair of eyeglasses isn't gonna get it done.
Let's talk about getting him better gear.
Can he grind a bigger lens?
Can someone donate?
Would an array of mirrors be possible?
If MacGuyver's life depended on finding the red spot on Jupiter, and all he had was a pack of gum and a lighter, how we he get it done?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090984</id>
	<title>Learner-centered astronomy</title>
	<author>Kreuzfeld</author>
	<datestamp>1265020020000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Why not let your students choose some/all of the targets, subject to final vetting (or pre-screening) by you?  In this way they gain a feeling of ownership over the process and generally become more invested in the subject matter.  You could even point them to <a href="http://www.stellarium.org/" title="stellarium.org" rel="nofollow">Stellarium</a> [stellarium.org] for free home planetarium software to plan their observations.</p><p>Whatever you decide to observe, your students will get more out of it if they are actively involved -- i.e., no passive observing.  If you have several nights, you could look at Jupiter each night and have them sketch the arrangement of the moons (c.f. Galilei 1610).  If you have a solar filter, you could do the same thing with sunspots (if any are visible).  Venus, Mars, or Saturn's rings may be attractive targets, depending on what you want to do with the observations.</p><p>Finally, there are additional astronomy education resources at the <a href="http://aer.aip.org/" title="aip.org" rel="nofollow">Astronomy Education Review</a> [aip.org], a free online journal.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Why not let your students choose some/all of the targets , subject to final vetting ( or pre-screening ) by you ?
In this way they gain a feeling of ownership over the process and generally become more invested in the subject matter .
You could even point them to Stellarium [ stellarium.org ] for free home planetarium software to plan their observations.Whatever you decide to observe , your students will get more out of it if they are actively involved -- i.e. , no passive observing .
If you have several nights , you could look at Jupiter each night and have them sketch the arrangement of the moons ( c.f .
Galilei 1610 ) .
If you have a solar filter , you could do the same thing with sunspots ( if any are visible ) .
Venus , Mars , or Saturn 's rings may be attractive targets , depending on what you want to do with the observations.Finally , there are additional astronomy education resources at the Astronomy Education Review [ aip.org ] , a free online journal .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Why not let your students choose some/all of the targets, subject to final vetting (or pre-screening) by you?
In this way they gain a feeling of ownership over the process and generally become more invested in the subject matter.
You could even point them to Stellarium [stellarium.org] for free home planetarium software to plan their observations.Whatever you decide to observe, your students will get more out of it if they are actively involved -- i.e., no passive observing.
If you have several nights, you could look at Jupiter each night and have them sketch the arrangement of the moons (c.f.
Galilei 1610).
If you have a solar filter, you could do the same thing with sunspots (if any are visible).
Venus, Mars, or Saturn's rings may be attractive targets, depending on what you want to do with the observations.Finally, there are additional astronomy education resources at the Astronomy Education Review [aip.org], a free online journal.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090600</id>
	<title>Re:The Sun</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1265018400000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Would they not need to invoke the use of a solar filter at this point? In what hemisphere are you in IceDiver?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Would they not need to invoke the use of a solar filter at this point ?
In what hemisphere are you in IceDiver ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Would they not need to invoke the use of a solar filter at this point?
In what hemisphere are you in IceDiver?</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_02_10_2049218.31090484</parent>
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