For spectroscopic binaries, a Doppler shift simulation aids students to form and test a qualitative model relating spectral Doppler shifts with approaching and receding motion of the stars in their orbits. These modules use optical images of spectacular emission, reflection and dark nebulae plus examples of interstellar absorption, as an astronomy context in which to introduce students to the study of the reflection, transmission and emission of light, including the fundamentals of spectroscopy. In these modules, students are guided to a qualitative understanding of the basic design of optical telescopes, as they help Lee, a very innocent would-be amateur astronomer, decide what sort of telescope to buy. They investigate the images formed by both mirrors and lenses via an instructional technique that avoids the need to teach the construction of ray diagrams at this stage. They are then guided to combine their findings in order to come to a qualitative understanding of how refracting and reflecting telescopes form and magnify images.
Students learn about image formation by plane and concave mirrors, then by convex lenses.
Introductory astronomy courses often have little or no access to conventional physics laboratory equipment, but may have access to computer laboratories , especially given the widespread use of the CLEA Project astronomy simulation software in these courses. The Astro Concepts modules will be suitable for use in 2 or 3 hour long computer laboratory sessions as part of conventional introductory astronomy courses, either for the whole student group or for those with little or no physics background. Suitably edited versions of these modules would be suitable for use in upper secondary education, as they concentrate on basic principles and avoid the use of specialist astronomical language and situations. Participants in online astronomy courses have frequently studied little or no physics, or have last studied physics a number of years ago. Typically they are studying astronomy for interest rather than as a pathway to professional astronomy.