COSMOS Episode 4: A Sky Full of Ghosts Worksheet (2014)

Description

COSMOS Episode 4: A Sky Full of Ghosts (2014) links our scientific progress and understanding to our human need to find meaning in our existence. Neil DeGrasse Tyson guides us through this journey by explaining that optical phenomenon, like illusions or “ghosts,” can also be analyzed through the eyes of science, giving us a more complete understanding of the reality surrounding us. He links Einstein’s understanding of light and gravity to show us that it is possible to infer the existence of objects we cannot see—like black holes!

In this episode, Neil DeGrasse Tyson covers optical illusions, scientific qualitative data analysis, black holes, the bending of spacetime, religious explanations for the age of the universe, light years, Faraday and Maxwell’s scientific contributions, Einstein’s relativity, cosmic speed limits, William Hershel, and photography.

This episode is appropriate for the following classes: physics, astronomy, physical science, general science, history, or philosophy.

The runtime is 44 minutes. The video guide is designed to last an entire class, with some time left over to answer questions or facilitate a classroom discussion.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson, optical illusions, scientific qualitative data analysis, black holes, bending of spacetime, religious explanations for the age of the universe, light years, Faraday and Maxwell’s scientific contributions, Einstein’s relativity, cosmic speed limits, William Hershel, photography, physics, astronomy, physical science, general science, history, philosophy of science