Astronomy and Space Sciences

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 05.04.09

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Introduction
  2. Rational for this module
  3. Goals of this module
  4. Synopsis of topics to be covered
  5. Topic 1 – Our Solar System's Planets Distances from the Sun or the Titus-Bode Calculation (to be used during the study of inferential statistics; typically, second half of a statistics course).
  6. Titus-Bode Law - Estimations of the mean distance from the sun using Earth as a unit of 1
  7. Topic 2 – Edwin Hubble and the expanding Universe (to be used after the principles of multiple regression have been studied).
  8. Bibliography
  9. On-line sources

The Use of Astronomy to Teach Statistical Concepts

Michael W. Vasileff

Published September 2005

Tools for this Unit:

Guide Entry to 05.04.09

In this unit, there are two items of astronomy and how to use the statistical tools of regression analysis to verify that these are facts and not mere opinions. The first topic is centered around the Titus-Bode Calculation that states that the planets in our solar system follow a simple relationship between their order and distance from the sun.

The second topic discusses the "Big Bang" theory, which states that the Universe expands according to a linear equation with the slope equal to the Hubble Law. Since this topic covers time, distance and velocity, with a little further analysis, we can calculate the age of the Universe.

I have included simple charts so that the teacher may just hit on the similarities as well as regression analysis for a more advanced high school class enrolled in statistics or other advanced math course. The bibliography contains many web sites that give detailed information on the various aspects of the module.

(Developed for Statistics and Probability, Regression Chapters, grades 11-12; recommended for Statistics, grades 11-12)

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