Inscriptional Representations of the Moon by Nonscientists

Details Inscriptional Representations of the Moon by Nonscientists Inscriptional Representations of the Moon by Nonscientists

May 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21440106g&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #214, #401.06; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.660

Computer Science

Learning

Scientific paper

During this International Year of Astronomy, there is a great deal of focus on the observations Galileo made to provide evidence for the heliocentric model of the Solar System. The Moon was a regular focus of Galileo's investigations and of his detailed inscriptions (i.e., technical drawings). These inscriptions, which identified the presence of mountains, valleys, and craters, provided strong evidence against the prevailing view that the Moon was "perfect” in the classical sense.
We have embarked upon a project of the general public's perception of the Moon. Visitors to Vanderbilt University's Dyer Observatory were asked to make an accurate "technical drawing” of the Moon, such as "one that a scientist might make.” Many families were in attendance, which permitted a wide assortment of ages in the individuals who agreed to participate, ranging from age 4 through 55.
During this first phase of the project we identified several interesting patterns. First, for the phase of the Moon, 90% were drawn as full, 3% as crescent, and 7% as gibbous. Second, for the surface features of the moon, 83% included craters and 13% included mountains. The second phase of the study, currently underway, will examine changes in the inscriptional representations of the Moon by observatory visitors after they are given the opportunity to view the Moon in detail through one of the observatory's telescopes.
This work is supported in part by grants from the Vanderbilt University Learning Sciences Institute (LSI) and the Institute of Educational Sciences (IES).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Inscriptional Representations of the Moon by Nonscientists does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Inscriptional Representations of the Moon by Nonscientists, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Inscriptional Representations of the Moon by Nonscientists will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1106435