![stellarium org stellarium org](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aU3GVVyo1bE/maxresdefault.jpg)
This will allow students to observe the rotation at a speed that makes it obvious. Click on the speed buttons to speed up the rotation to something close to 1 day every 10 seconds or so. Turning off atmosphere will help make the stars visible all the time.Instruct students to open the configuration panel and choose a location on the planet - perhaps begin with their home town.Take students to the lab and have the open the Stellarium program (taking them at least once to "play" prior to the work day may help them learn to use the program as well as "get it out of their system").Prior discussion or research on Copernicus may be useful. Pay particular attention to early beliefs that the Earth was the center of the Universe. Begin with some discussion about the history of observation.Students will understand that it is the Earth that is moving, not the stars and perhaps discover how Copernicus made his own similar discovery.Students will be able to explain how observations of the heavens can be used to understand how the Earth rotates.Students will describe how observation of the heavens can help one understand their location on the Earth.Students will be able to explain how the rotation of the heavens varies based on ones location on the Earth.Students will make observations, share findings and extrapolate to make discoveries.Students will explore the rotation of the heavens from various locations on Earth.At some point, encourage students to share information with another student or group.You might consider whether working individually will be better for your students, but small groups of 2 or 3 will probably work better as it is a collaborative activity.
![stellarium org stellarium org](https://windows-cdn.softpedia.com/screenshots/Stellarium_1.png)
While students can explore on their own, it will save time if you give them some specific directions to get started
![stellarium org stellarium org](https://ofpaye.com/cah/SFEZkF67RPOmpZCpkohuFQHaF7.jpg)
The activity should take between 30 - 60 minutes depending on the amount of time you wish to give students for exploration.This activity is appropriate for elementary through high school students.Based on what can be observed from Earth that is not unrealistic. Historically, it was believed that the Earth was the center of the universe and that the stars revolved around us. This lesson is a simple lesson designed to illustrate the rotation of the Earth by observing the stars. You can do any type of activity that would be appropriate for a planetarium setting with Stellarium. This lesson uses the Stellarium software to give students of any age (you can modify it for your particular age group) an opportunity to view what is in essence a portable planetarium.
![stellarium org stellarium org](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/741711474935144448/tczvyL7V_400x400.jpg)
Just set your coordinates and go.(from website). It is being used in planetarium projectors. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer.