Blackholes:  

Journey into the Unknown                    

You and your traveling companions, a group of scientists, are currently enjoying a remarkable and relaxing tour of the local universe. Your tour guide suddenly informs you that the rocket's engines have failed. In order to navigate, the captain will use the enormous gravity of a blackhole to guide you to a nearby help station. Recognizing a great scientific opportunity, your group,decides to gather as much information about these mysterious objects.

The Task

You and your collegues are to return to earth after gathering as much information on blackholes as possible. Once on earth you have been invited to make a multi-media presentation to the "21st Annual Conference of Space Phenomenon". Because this is such a big responsibility you and your "fellow scientists" divide into smaller teams for research and share your findings back on earth.

The Process        

1. Divide into teams of four or five " scientists." Eachgroup will consist of the following four types of scientists:

• THE FACT FINDER : this scientist is responsible for only factual information.
• THE THEORIST: this scientist is the one who can retrieve and explain any theories the group might encounter.
• THE TECHIE: this job requires a scientist who has the ablility to collect graphics, and operate and produce a multi-media program.
• THE SPOKESPERSON : someone who can meet the public and make a good presentor at the "conference".

2. Each group will go on a "down-loading expedition (save on a disc):

   a.   Gather at least 10 facts (not theories about blackholes).

    b.  Gather at least 2 theories on the formation of blackholes and their role in cosmology.

    c.  Gather at least 2 facts on other objects in space with the purpose of contrasting them with blackholes. Two facts on:  Red giants, white dwarfs, Neutron stars, pulsars and Quasars.

   d. Be on the look out for graphics that could be used to enhance your presentation, and save those too.

3.  From the informational resources find the best description of a trip to a black hole. In text form write and essay of at least 200 words answering the following.

     a.  How was a blackhole detectable?

     b.  Explain what is meant by the "event horizon".                                 

     c.  What happens to space-time near a blackhole?

     d.  Why are blackholes predicted by the theory of general relativity?         

4.  Using a multimedia program prepare at least five cards with graphics, sound, and text to summarize the essay in item 3.

5.  Prepare a learning center with posters, photographs, and informational text displayed to enhance your multimedia blackhole journey.

6.  Attend "21st Annual Conference of Space Phenomenon", where other groups display their learning centers.

Resources

• These are the Resources you need to start your "Journey into the Unknown"
• The Astronomers:   Searching for Black Holes by PBS (video)
• Evolution of a Star by NASA (video)
• The Larousse Guide to Astronomy by David A Hardy (book)
• Peterson First Guides, Astronomy by Jay M. Pasachoff (book)

Cool Space Graphics

Learning Advice

       Keep all factual information separate from theoretical information.  This makes organizing the information much easier. Keep your audience in mind (fellow scientists) when you make your presentation. (Don't over simplify.)   Be creative, even a little theatrical, when preparing your learning center.  Remember other scientists will be evaluating your work and they have access to the same information as you!

Conclusion

       Your scientific explorations have just taken you to a blackhole.  As you have seen, sharing what you have learned is an essential part of scientific inquiry, but so is theoretical argument and debate.  Perhaps you noticed areas of disagreement over explanations of why blackholes form, or if they can reveal any information beyond the "event horizon".  In the science of cosmology these are very important issues. Do you know why?