Astronomical systems resources

Students are asked three multiple-choice questions that relate to tides, the full moon and a solar eclipse.

Students indicate whether a series of statements apply to lunar eclipses, solar eclipses, or both.

This practical resource requires students to demonstrate some phases of the Moon.

Students are given a diagram that is used to describe the surface temperature and brightness of stars. Using the diagram and information provided, students indicate where different stars would be located.

This practical task requires students to use a simple star map to point out the apparent location of stars or star groups during daylight hours. Students also use the star map to show where the Southern Cross would be situated at different times of an evening.

For this assessment students read a paragraph of information about the stars. They use this to complete a table that summarises all this information.

Students plot the positions for three different stars at three different times during the evening. Students use this information to answer questions about star movement around the South Celestial Pole.

Task: Answer questions about the temperature and brightness of types of stars. Assessment focus: interpreting a graph.

Task: Answer questions about types of solar eclipse. Assessment focus: interpreting diagrams.

For this task students understanding of tides is explored. Students are asked to identify where high tides occur when the Moon is in a certain position and how often high tides occur.

Students answer two multiple-choice questions about full Moon and lunar eclipses.

Students are asked to explain why the Southern Cross appears not to be in the same place in the night sky that it was a few months previously.

Task: Answer 2 multiple choice questions about how we would see Moon from Earth if its orbit changed. Assessment focus: relationship of Sun, Earth, and Moon.

Task: Describe what sort of day it is easiest to see shadows, and answer 2 multiple choice questions about length of shadows and time of day. Assessment focus: shadows.

Students match each planet to its correct description.

Students are asked four short questions that explore their understanding of the Earth's rotation, Earth's revolution, and seasons.

Three multiple choice questions ask students to identify the most likely times for sun rise, sun set, and which diagram best illustrates night and day.

Task: Use a diagram to answer questions about seasons and day and night. Assessment focus: relationship of Sun and Earth.

Students use two diagrams of the night sky to answer a multiple-choice question on each.

Students interpret information about unnamed planets and their length of year to answer questions about their distance from the Sun and the order of these planets from the Sun.

Task: Design a station on Mars. Assessment focus: problem solving to meet human needs in a different environment.

For this practical task students investigate some features of craters, complete a table, and explain what they found out. Students then use a diagram showing some craters on the Moon to write as much information as they can about these craters.

Task: Label a diagram. Assessment focus: relative positions of Earth and Sun for each season.

For this task students use a diagram to explain the different seasons experienced in different hemispheres.

Task: Answer questions about a diagram, and explain how we get day and night. Assessment focus: day and night.