Observation, interpretation, measurement
This book covers astronomical phenomena and observation opportunities for lay people interested in astronomy, teachers and students:
- Is the Earth really a sphere?
- What thoughts can the observation of a sunset or a lunar eclipse inspire?
- How do the sun and the planets move across the sky, and what conclusions can be drawn from this?
The author also outlines measurements and observations that can be carried out alone or in a group, such as determining the radius of the Earth or the distance to the moon.
Some of the projects can be carried out in one or more days or nights, while others extend over a longer period of time.
International projects in which schools, amateur astronomers and professionals cooperate are also described. With a wealth of astronomical phenomena and observation opportunities, the book is aimed at students and teachers of astronomy and physics as well as amateur astronomers who want to learn more about astronomical phenomena and understand the underlying explanations.
The author encourages readers to try to obtain and evaluate their "own" measurements and uses astronomy as an example to show how science works.
Until his retirement, author Udo Backhaus was a professor of physics education and trained students to become physics teachers for all types of schools. One of his main areas of focus was teaching astronomy.
