Resources by Royal Observatory Greenwich

Alien worlds and the Doppler effect

Produced by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, this booklet gives instructions on a practical demonstration of the Doppler effect. The practical uses a portable speaker an audio software to calculate the change in frequency. Included is an online video that shows the demonstration and places it in the context of...

Calculating the energy output of the Sun

Produced by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, this booklet covers the age and energy output of the Sun. Included is an online video that discusses how the age of the Sun can be calculated. Questions and answers are included that test a student’s understanding of the physical and mathematical concepts.  It would be...

Calculating the mass of the Sun

Produced by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, this booklet places Newton’s law of gravitation and Kepler’s third law in the context of calculating the mass of the Sun. Included is an online video that discusses how the age of the Sun can be calculated. Equations and physical terms are introduced and discussed....

Calculating the size of a black hole

Produced by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, this booklet covers black holes and the Schwarzschild radius. Included is an online video that discusses what is inside a black hole. Equations and physical terms are introduced and discussed. Questions and answers are included that test a student’s understanding of the...

Calculating where Space begins?

This resource, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, begins with a video that names and describes some the different layers of the atmosphere, with the aim of explaining where the ...

Celestia Navigation

Celestia is a spaceflight simulator that allows you to explore real astronomical data as you fly through space. The majority of content is related to our Solar System.

This resource, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, acts as a basic guide and explores the potential of the program with a sample Key Stage...

Collisions and Explosions in the Universe

This short video clip explains how the Universe is constantly changing and the evidence that shows the explosions and collisions which have taken place over billions of years. From super novas to asteroid collisions, the big bang to the formation of the Moon.

Colour and Wavelength in Space

In this activity, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, students look at the Sun and the Milky Way in different wavelengths. They apply their understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum to astrophysical objects and look at why it is important to use the whole spectrum in astronomy. The images of the Sun are...

Compasses and Magnetism

This resource, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, explores magnetism and how it is used in a compass. It is aimed at key stage 2, but the activities would also be suitable for introducing magnetism to key stage 3.

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Cosmological redshift

Produced by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, this booklet covers the Doppler effect in the context of cosmological redshift. Included is an online video that discusses the size of the Universe. Equations and physical terms are introduced and discussed. Questions and answers are included that test a student’s...