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Astronomy Education Review / Volume 10 / Issue 1 / RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS

2011, AER, 10 (1), 010108, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2011028

Using Smartphone Camera Technology to Explore Stellar Parallax: Method, Results, and Reactions

Published 22 December 2011

Michael T. Fitzgerald

Macquarie University Research Centre in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Astrophotonics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Macquarie University, Australia

David H. McKinnon and Lena Danaia

School of Teacher Education, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia

Sandra Woodward

Oakhill College, Castle Hill, Australia

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The use of a smartphone, with both still and video capabilities, to develop the concepts surrounding stellar parallax is described. The hands-on activities generate useful discussion amongst high school students. Reactions of both students and teachers are presented.

© 2011 The American Astronomical Society

KEYWORDS and PACS

Keywords

educational technology, 7-9, 10-12, Secondary School, Teaching approaches, Laboratory exercises, Education

PACS

PUBLICATION DATA

ISSN

1539-1515 (online)

Publisher

$abstract.society.value is a Member of CrossRef The American Astronomical Society

ARTICLE DATA

History
Received 14 September 2011
Accepted 05 December 2011
Published online 22 December 2011
Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2011028

    References

  1. DeJong, M. 1972, “A Stellar Parallax Exercise for the Introductory Astronomy Course,” American Journal of Physics, 40, 763AJPIAS000040000005000763000001. [ISI]
  2. Hirshfeld, A. 2001, Parallax: The Race to Measure the Cosmos. New York: W.H. Freeman and Co.
  3. Marin, E. 2010, “The pc Concept,” Latin American Journal of Physics Education, 4, 303.
  4. Ratcliffe, S., Balonek, T., Marschall, L., DuPuy, D., Pennypacker, C., Verma, R., Alexov, A., and Bonney, V. 1993, “The Measurement of Astronomical Parallaxes with CCD Imaging Cameras on Small Telescopes,” American Journal of Physics, 61, 208AJPIAS000061000003000208000001. [ISI]
  5. Zeilik, M. 1998, Interactive Lesson Guide for Astronomy, New Mexico: The Learning Zone, 63.

Figures (click on thumbnails to view enlargements)

FIG.1
Method to find the field of view of the camera image.

FIG.1 Download High Resolution Image (.zip file) | Export Figure to PowerPoint

FIG.2
The mini Earth–Sun system.

FIG.2 Download High Resolution Image (.zip file) | Export Figure to PowerPoint

FIG.3
Star symbol.

FIG.3 Download High Resolution Image (.zip file) | Export Figure to PowerPoint

FIG.4
Sample results from an iPhone 3GS.

FIG.4 Download High Resolution Image (.zip file) | Export Figure to PowerPoint

FIG.5
Clamp stand and moving camera setup for a star at the ecliptic pole.

FIG.5 Download High Resolution Image (.zip file) | Export Figure to PowerPoint

FIG.6
Example of the CD case setup and the shape of the parallactic ellipse at three ecliptic latitudes.

FIG.6 Download High Resolution Image (.zip file) | Export Figure to PowerPoint



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