Project Spectra!
Using Spectral Data to Explore Saturn and Titan
Group 3 Reflection

• correlate spectral data to chemical composition (use light = chemistry)
• use REAL data for discovery!

• have to touch it to know what it is
• white light can't be made up of all colors of the rainbow
  • it's a small part of EM spectrum
• stuff "out there" in the universe is made of different materials than what we have on earth

• using EM spectra to identify chemical composition of Saturn's rings and Titan's atmosphere
• compare known benchmarks to unknown
• background information supplied by actual mission video
• critical thinking questions about
  • abundance of H in universe
  • atmosphere of Titan vs. Saturn's rings
  • compare Earth vs. Titan

• 4F-2: things are visible to eye when light waves are emitted or reflected
• 6-8: about 100 known elements of which EVERYTHING of the universe is made of
• use of technology is essential to science (remote sensing)
• gravity of a more massive object like Titan will influence the type of atoms trapped by its atmosphere vs. a debris field like Saturn
  • F = GMm/R²

• reinforces idea that light is information
• integrates technology (computer videos engage interest)
• easy, real-world, real-data learning opportunity
• CHEAP!!!
• Using standards of comparison to analyze data and draw conclusions

• videos are captivating
• makes use of spectrograph easy to understand
• de-mystifies how scientists "know" what they know
• gives credibility because it's real data