Galileo Education Modules: Exploring the Mysteries of the Solar System

Did you know that there is educational information for teachers and students on the Galileo imaging camera homepage under Education Modules related to Concepts in the Galilean Mission? The modules are written for teachers and target 6-9 graders.

The modules are:

Bringing Jupiter to Earth
  • "Galileo Calling Earth"
    • Digital signals and sending images back to Earth

  • Flexing Muscles and Moons
    • Relationship between gravity and distance
    • What forces lead to geologic activity on Io and Europa?
    • Qualitatively model the interior structures of Io and Europa

  • Moons in Resonance
    • Using Kepler's Third Law to describe orbital motions

  • Crater Mysteries
    • Comparing asteroids and comets

  • What's So HOT About Io?
    • Detecting volcanoes via infrared radiation (heat)
    • Calculating the power output of a volcano on Io [ADVANCED Activity]

  • Europa Geology Jigsaw Puzzle
    • Reasons for exploring Europa, and possible future missions
    • Properties of matter and styles of deformation
    • Geological processes on Europa (Geologic units and reconstruction)
    • Additional resources and references

  • Europa: Ingredients for Life?
    • Requirements for life to evolve


Planets and Satellites
  • Overview of the nine planets and their satellites
  • Comparison to Jupiter and its four main Galilean satellites
  • Ideas for classroom activities incorporating Galileo images and data

Navigation of the Solar System
  • Introduction to the solar system
  • Relative scales in the solar system
  • Navigating through the solar system (speed, acceleration, gravity)
  • Ideas for classroom activities

Planetary Surfaces
  • Introduction to geography (coordinate systems, latitude/longitude)
  • Processes modifying planetary surfaces (cratering, erosion, volcanism, tectonism)
  • Teacher Features
    Complete lesson plans designed by teachers for 6-9 graders with handouts, etc. as well as suggestions for adopting the exercises to different grade levels

Discovery of the Galilean Satellites
  • The story of the discovery of Jupiter's four main moons, the Galilean satellites

Bulletin Boards and Stickers
  • Images and captions for classroom use. Some assembly required!
  • Colorful stickers from the Solid State Imaging Team

Skills covered by the activities and exercises, using up to date astronomical data and images, include:

Graphing Percents Decimals
Ratios Scientific Notation Data Analysis and Interpretation
Geometry Algebra Units Conversion
The Scientific Method Drawing Conclusions Size Scales


Return to SSI Education and Public Outreach Homepage

Galileo K-12 Educational Activities Page


Galileo Solid State Imaging Team Leader: Dr. Michael J. S. Belton

The SSI Education and Public Outreach webpages were originally created and managed by Matthew Fishburn and Elizabeth Alvarez with significant assistance from Kelly Bender, Ross Beyer, Detrick Branston, Stephanie Lyons, Eileen Ryan, and Nalin Samarasinha.

Last updated: September 17, 1999, by Matthew Fishburn

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Website Curator: Leslie Lowes

Website Feedback: Jayne Dutra