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In
Elementary and Middle school, teaching
students about the solar system and its
functions can be a challenging task. A
physical model of the solar system is a
must, of course, but simulating an
eclipse or a leap year is not an easy
situation. You mostly have to rely on
your imagination, as well as the
imagination of your students. Although
many of us have a very vivid
imagination, how much can you really
explore the solar system with balls
attached to strings to represent the
planets? |
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Teachers have a much better tool now.
Planetarium Gold software shows the
intricacies of the solar system as well
as the constellations with scientific
accuracy. In simulation or tracer mode,
you can help students to visualize what
is happening in the solar system with
real time animation. |
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For example, if you want to show how an
eclipse of the sun occurs? Set the date
and time for the event and take
advantage of the “fast-clocking”
feature. The screen will advance the
clock on that date and time, at the
speed that you choose, and you will be
able to watch the moon overlap the sun,
and darken the sky. At the same time,
this program will even show that the
moon is a New Moon. |
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Another example is showing students a
Grand Junction, when all the planets are
gathered in the same area of the sky.
You can also show the solar system’s
cross section to see how planets line up
in a circular movement. All simulation
can be in real time or at your own
clocking speed. |
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One more idea for teachers, you can also
use this software to explain the seasons
and even why we have leap years. The
solar system animation will show the
equinox point shift by ¼ days each year,
demonstrating that Earth takes a little
longer than 365 days to circle around
the sun.
Going on to more advanced subjects,
students can learn about the coordinate
system which astronomers use. How do
astronomers indicate the location of
stars? How did ancient civilizations
locate planets in the sky? By utilizing
ready-made movies, you can explain the
entire coordinate system as defined by
an astronomer. |
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Of course you can’t forget about
constellations when it comes to locating
stars! With this software, you can see
ancient constellations, learn the
history and mythos behind them, and even
experience them in full color pictures. |
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In addition to all of the tools provided
by this software are several quizzes,
and multimedia books written by Isaac
Asimov.
For school license information,
please contact
school@fog-ware.com or
call 408-512-1399
and ask for our school license terms and
conditions. |
