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gravity

Diagram of Ptolemy’s model (geocentric) with Earth at the centre

Article

Our Solar System – revolutionary ideas

Since the earliest times, humans have made observations of the night sky. These observations, particularly of the Earth, Moon, Sun ...

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Physics made simple – gravity

Teacher PLD

Physics made simple – gravity

In this recorded professional learning session, Greta Dromgool and Ted Cizadlo will build your confidence to teach the Physical World. ...

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The gravity well – a physics analogy

Teacher PLD

The gravity well – a physics analogy

Einstein pictured gravity not as a force but as a warping of space and time caused by the mass of ...

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Principles of flight

Article

Principles of flight

For thousands of years, people have wanted to fly. Our legends and fairy tales are full of humans and animals ...

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Diagram of a simple set-up showing acceleration of gravity.

Activity

Measuring the acceleration of gravity (g)

In this investigation, students measure distance and time in order to calculate the acceleration of a falling object. The investigation ...

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Gravity and satellite motion

Article

Gravity and satellite motion

Gravity is a force that attracts all objects towards each other. People are attracted towards the Earth and the Earth ...

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CAPSTONE – returning humans to the Moon

Article

CAPSTONE – returning humans to the Moon

On 20 July 1969, around 600 million people stopped to watch humans first set foot on the Moon. The words, “That’s one small step for man, ...

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Kiwis in space

Article

Kiwis in space

This Connected article explores the science and technology behind the amazing achievements of Rocket Lab. From New Zealand’s first launch of a rocket into space in ...

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The Moon and its misconceptions

Article

The Moon and its misconceptions

A significant part of our nightscape, the Moon has been the subject of myths, alternative conceptions and conspiracies for decades. Let’s take a look at some ...

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How a Solar System is formed

Article

How a Solar System is formed

Our Solar System, and all other star systems, form from a collapsing nebula. Often called stellar nurseries, nebulae are the birthplace of stars. They are made ...

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Comets

Article

Comets

In November 2014, the European Space Agency (ESA) Rosetta Mission landed a space probe called Philae onto the surface of Comet 67P, while Rosetta continued to ...

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Pulsars could help navigate the stars

Article

Pulsars could help navigate the stars

‘Interplanetary spacecraft navigation using pulsars’ might sound like the title of a Star Trek novel but is actually a 2013 scientific paper by a team of ...

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Meteoroid explodes over Russia

Article

Meteoroid explodes over Russia

On 15 February 2013, a meteoroid survived its descent into the Earth’s atmosphere over Ural Russia, where it broke the sound barrier and exploded near the ...

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Alternative conceptions about gravity

Article

Alternative conceptions about gravity

Educational research has shown that students develop intuitive ideas and beliefs about natural phenomena. As students learn more about their physical environment, they tend to interpret ...

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Dr Adrian McDonald

Article

Professor Adrian McDonald

Position: Professor, University of Canterbury. Field: Atmospheric physics Dr Adrian McDonald is with the Physics and Astronomy Department at University of Canterbury. His research involves using ...

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Kelvin Barnsdale

Article

Kelvin Barnsdale

Position: Senior Research Engineer, University of Canterbury Field: Electronic systems in harsh environments Most parents have dreams for their children, and Kelvin Barnsdale’s father was no ...

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Space junk

Article

Space junk

If you think it is hard to keep your bedroom tidy, spare a thought for the space around our Earth. There are over 100 million particles ...

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Launching satellites

Article

Launching satellites

Launching a satellite into orbit requires consideration of a number of major science ideas. These include gravity, circular motion and atmospheric drag. Dr Allan McInnes explains ...

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Natural satellites

Article

Natural satellites

A satellite is anything that orbits around a larger object. A natural satellite is any celestial body in space that orbits around a larger body. Moons ...

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Satellite communications

Article

Satellite communications

Communications satellites are used to send and receive radio signals for television, phone or internet communications. Large concave reflectors called satellite dishes are normally used to ...

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Artificial satellites

Article

Artificial satellites

An artificial satellite is an object that people have made and launched into orbit using rockets. There are currently over 3,000 active satellites orbiting the Earth. ...

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Investigating satellites – introduction

Article

Investigating satellites – introduction

A satellite is anything that orbits around another object. Moons are natural satellites that orbit around planets, whereas artificial satellites are objects that people have made ...

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Investigating satellites – question bank

Article

Investigating satellites – question bank

An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. The question bank provides an initial list of questions about satellites and places where their ...

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Diagram of Ptolemy’s model (geocentric) with Earth at the centre

Article

History of satellites – timeline

See some key dates relating to early discoveries about natural and artificial satellites in this timeline. 6th century BCE – Ancient Greek geocentric model Ancient Greek ...

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Investigating satellites – key terms

Article

Investigating satellites – key terms

Learning about natural and artificial satellites involves ideas of gravity, circular motion and radio communication. Discover some of the many uses of artificial satellites in New ...

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Flight – writer's insight

Article

Flight – writer's insight

Flight was a topic our writer Barbara Ryan enjoyed teaching. "We got really involved – twice I invited Patrick Monro (inventor and flight enthusiast) to come ...

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Flight mythology

Article

Flight mythology

People have long had an obsession with flight. Characters from legends and fairy tales often have the surprising ability to take off from the solid Earth ...

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How birds fly

Article

How birds fly

One of the requirements for heavier-than-air flying machines is a structure that combines strength with light weight. This is true for birds as well as planes. ...

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