Lesson Plan: Using Supernovae to Measure Distances to other Galaxies | Nagwa Lesson Plan: Using Supernovae to Measure Distances to other Galaxies | Nagwa

Lesson Plan: Using Supernovae to Measure Distances to other Galaxies Physics

This lesson plan includes the objectives, prerequisites, and exclusions of the lesson teaching students how to use the peak absolute magnitude of type 1a supernovae to determine how far away they are.

Objectives

Students will be able to

  • describe what causes a type 1a supernova,
  • recall that type 1a supernovae have a peak absolute magnitude of approximately 19.3,
  • use 𝑚𝑀=5𝑑10log in different permutations to calculate the apparent magnitude of a supernova or how far away it is,
  • identify the light curve of a type 1a supernova,
  • use data for a light curve to calculate the distance to a type 1a supernova.

Prerequisites

Students should already be familiar with

  • brightness magnitude and using 𝑚𝑀=5𝑑10log,
  • what supernovae are.

Exclusions

Students will not cover

  • other types of supernova,
  • other methods for measuring distances to other galaxies.

Download the Nagwa Classes App

Attend sessions, chat with your teacher and class, and access class-specific questions. Download the Nagwa Classes app today!

Nagwa uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.