Stargazing LIVE - Teacher's resources
Stargazing LIVE 2012: 16 - 18 January
Stargazing LIVE (co-produced by The Open University) returns for a second three-night series on BBC Two set to encourage everyone – from the complete beginner to the enthusiastic amateur – to make the most of the night sky.
Visit the Stargazing 2012 website for guides to the night sky, videos packed with stargazing secrets, and a chance to put your questions to Professor Brian Cox.
Thoughout January Stargazing LIVE events are taking place up and down the country. Find Stargazing LIVE events near you.
You can find out more about Stargazing LIVE 2011 below.
Stargazing 2011
January 2011 saw the launch of Stargazing LIVE, a three-day live series on BBC Two hosted by Professor Brian Cox and Dara O'Briain. Based at the world famous Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, the pair brought the wonders of the galaxy into our living rooms on a whistle-stop tour. They identified three of January's unusual astronomical events - Jupiter aligning with Uranus, a partial solar eclipse and the Quadrantids Meteor Shower. Plus, Jonathan Ross found out how anyone can be an astronomer, taught by the One Show's resident astronomer, Mark Thompson. And from Hawaii Liz Bonnin highlighted astronomical goings-on from the other side of the planet.
To accompanying the programme Stargazing LIVE events took place up and down the country thoughout January.
There are some great astronomy-based Stargazing LIVE resources available, see below. So why not take advantage of these fantastic resources and start your new term with a look to the stars?!
Stargazing LIVE's Star Guide
Download a beginner's star guide to help you navigate around the night sky.
Learn how to:
- Spot famous constellations like Ursa Major and Pegasus
- Navigate the night sky using The Plough and Orion's Belt
- Find fabulous meteor showers
There are English and Welsh versions of the Star Guide available:
You will need Adobe Acrobat reader to access these PDF files. BBC Webwise has a complete guide to downloading and installing Adobe Acrobat reader.
Stargazing LIVE's Activity Pack
A pack full of astronomy-related activity ideas for you to try in the classroom, even when it's too cloudy for stargazing.
The pack includes activities such as:
- How to make a Mini-Planetarium
- How to make an Orrery
- How to photograph the night sky
There are English and Welsh versions of the Activity Pack available:
Download the curriculum links for the Activity Pack:
You will need Adobe Acrobat reader to access these PDF files. BBC Webwise has a complete guide to downloading and installing Adobe Acrobat reader.
Audio Guides
Learn stargazing secrets from The One Show's astronomer Mark Thompson, and discover the best times and places to stargaze. There are four different audio guides available:
- January to March: Helping you to find wonders including Orion, Betelgeuse and The Plough.
- April to June: Use to help you spot Polaris, Leo and The Northern Crown.
- July to September: Mark Thompson guides you to Andromeda, Perseus and Hercules
- October to December: Learn about the stars visible, including Aries, Pegasus and Capella.
Schools' Telescope Projects
Get your school involved in exciting telescope projects to access images of Space.
How To Videos
How To videos to help you get started with expert tips on stargazing basics, including Mark's Mini-Planetarium in which Mark Thompson demonstrates how the Earth's rotation affects the night sky using a home made mini-planetarium.