GCSE ASTRONOMY

COURSEWORK

GCSE ASTRONOMY COURSEWORK

UNIT 2: EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE
25% of overall GCSE
2 parts
A. Unaided observations 20 marks
B. Aided observations 20 marks

Each task has 2 major parts:

a) Research & observations (limited control)
b) Design, analysis and evaluation (high control exam
conditions)

GCSE ASTRONOMY COURSEWORK

UNIT 2: EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE

Task A Unaided observations

A4 Constellation drawings
4 key areas to be assessed
Design 5 marks
Observing 5 marks
Analysis 5 marks
Evaluation 5marks

Betelgeuse 2nd brightest star

in Orion
Supergiant star

Rigel brightest star in

Orion

M42 -

Preparing an investigation
During this lesson, you must write the
following:
1. What constellations are you going to observe?
(minimum of 3)
2. What equipment you need?
3. How you will set it up (be specific and give
measurements if required)?
4. How you will take measurements?
5. How often you will take readings?
6. What time of day you will take readings and for
how long?
7. What details you must record?
. Date
. Time (BST or GMT)

Starting the controlled

assessment
PLAN
Key terms (glossary with definitions)

1.
2. Equation of time (state EOT)
3. Experiment

equipment list & method (diagrams can be drawn)

4. Measurements/Readings
5. Dates (minimum of 3, widely spaced)
6. Times and time interval
must suggest and compare two other
dates/times/intervals, i.e. 2,4,6,8 minutes (or others 1
min, 0.5, 1 hour etc)

7. Location (compare and evaluate at least 3

locations: flat, exposed to sunlight, convenient,
undisturbed)
8. Data analysis (How will data be used to find local
noon and longitude)

OBSERVATION DETAILS
Date
Time (BST or GMT)
Location (Grid reference or address)
Weather conditions
Results table
Labels (units) (same precision)
Time (BST and GMT)