Pluto and the Edge of the Solar System

🌌 Pluto and the Edge of the Solar System 🚀

Course Description:

Are you baffled by the headlines every time a new celestial object is discovered? Have you ever wondered what sparked the redefinition of planets in our cosmic neighborhood? Join us on an interstellar adventure to unravel the mysteries of Pluto and its pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the solar system.

In this course, veteran educator and sky enthusiast, Tony Ceraso, will guide you through the dynamics of our planetary system, from the scorching Sun at its core to the icy expanse where Pluto resides. Together, we'll navigate through a galaxy of topics, including:

• What on Earth is Astronomy? (🌠 BONUS LESSON)
• Mini-Lesson: Eclipses (✨ BONUS LESSON)
• Mini-Lesson: Meteor Showers (🤫 BONUS LESSON)
• Mini-Lesson: Aurora (🌌 BONUS LESSON)
• Project Artemis: America Returns to the Moon (🚀 BONUS LESSON)

Course Breakdown:

1. Objective: Understand why Pluto has become a point of fascination and debate in the astronomy community.
2. Warm-up Activity: Engage with fun, interactive exercises to kickstart your learning journey.
3. Description of a Solar System and What Defines Its Boundaries: Explore the elements that make up our solar system and the vastness of its boundaries.
4. Planet Discovery Methods and Timings: Trace the history of how planets were discovered and documented throughout time.
5. In-depth discussion of Pluto’s discovery, naming, and eventual classification as a dwarf planet: Delve into the intriguing saga of Pluto's controversial categorization.
6. Pluto’s moons: Examine the companions orbiting Pluto and what they tell us about the dwarf planet.
7. Old and new definitions of a planet: Analyze the implications of the new planetary definition and how it came to be.
8. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) and its responsibilities: Learn about the IAU's role in space exploration and how it shapes our understanding of celestial bodies.
9. Planetary Elliptical Orbits: Visualize the paths Planets take around our Sun and what they reveal about the forces that govern their movements.
10. The Kuiper Belt: Investigate the region beyond Neptune where Pluto resides and what other celestial objects lurk within.
11. Moons of the outer Solar System: Uncover the fascinating moons that orbit the gas giants in our solar system's distant reaches.
12. Dwarf Planets, including Eris and Ceres: Learn about Pluto's relatives in the dwarf planet category and their unique characteristics.
13. Pluto’s temperatures and surface features: Explore what makes Pluto's icy landscapes so unique and intriguing.
14. New Horizons space probe’s visit to Pluto: Relive the thrilling encounter of NASA's New Horizons probe with the dwarf planet.
15. Test Questions: Challenge your understanding with a series of thought-provoking questions.
16. Cross-curricular Activities: Engage in interactive projects that blend astronomy with other subjects like math, art, and literature.

Your Instructor: My name is Tony Ceraso, and I am your guide on this celestial journey. With years of experience at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, and contributions to NASA's educational programs, I am here to share my passion for astronomy with you. My goal is simple: to ignite a spark within you that will lead you to explore the universe with curiosity and wonder.

So, ready to unlock the secrets of our celestial neighbors? Let's embark on this stellar expedition together!☄️🛠️✨