Regents Earth Science Resources: Astronomy Graphing Activity

Astronomy Graphing Activity

Studying huge amounts of data can be very challenging. The best way to examine this data and look for relationships is by creating a graph. Graph are simply visual representations of data. In Earth Science, we generally visualize data using line graphs. In this activity, you will be exploring four data sets pertaining to our study of astronomy. Please create and graph each data set and answer the associated questions.

Graph #1: The Amount of Helium in a Star Over Time

We have learned that nuclear fusion in the core of the Sun is converting Hydrogen into Helium while releasing massive amounts of energy. Below you will find data which shows the percentage of Helium in the Sun from it's birth to it's death. Please create a line graph to illustrate this relationship. Plot time on the horizontal (x) axis and amount of Helium on the vertical (y) axis.

4 Billion Years Ago

0% Helium

3 Billion Years Ago

12% Helium

2 Billion Years Ago

24% Helium

1 Billion Years Ago

36% Helium

Present Day

48% Helium

1 Billion Years From Now

60% Helium

2 Billion Years From Now

72% Helium

3 Billion Years From Now

84% Helium

4 Billion Years From Now

96% Helium

This type of relationship is called a direct relationship because as one variable increases, so does the other.

Graph #2: The Amount of Hydrogen in a Star Over Time

Again, we know that nuclear fusion in the core of the Sun is converting Hydrogen into Helium while releasing massive amounts of energy. Below you will find data which shows the percentage of Hydrogen in the Sun from it's birth to it's death. Please create a line graph to illustrate this relationship. Plot time on the horizontal (x) axis and amount of Hydrogen on the vertical (y) axis.

4 Billion Years Ago

100% Hydrogen

3 Billion Years Ago

88% Hydrogen

2 Billion Years Ago

76% Hydrogen

1 Billion Years Ago

64% Hydrogen

Present Day

52% Hydrogen

1 Billion Years From Now

40% Hydrogen

2 Billion Years From Now

28% Helium

3 Billion Years From Now

16% Hydrogen

4 Billion Years From Now

4% Hydrogen

This type of relationship is called an indirect relationship because as one variable increases, so does the other.

Graph #3: The Diameter of the Earth Over Time

The Earth's diameter (distance from one side to the other through the core) has and will remain fairly constant over time. For this graph, plot time on the horizontal (x) axis and the Earth's diameter on the vertical (y) axis.

4 Billion Years Ago

8,000 miles

3 Billion Years Ago

8,000 miles

2 Billion Years Ago

8,000 miles

1 Billion Years Ago

8,000 miles

Present Day

8,000 miles

1 Billion Years From Now

8,000 miles

2 Billion Years From Now

8,000 miles

3 Billion Years From Now

8,000 miles

4 Billion Years From Now

8,000 miles

This type of relationship is called a static relationship because as one variable increases, the other remains the same.

Graph #4: The Number of Sunspots on the Sun Over Time

We don't often think of the Sun (or any star) as having cooler areas on its surface, however, at certain times it does. These cooler regions are known as sun spots. Sun spots are still very hot. However, because they are slightly cooler than the rest of the surface of the Sun, they appear slightly darker in color. Of course, you cannot look directly at the Sun to see these spots because you would damage your eyes. Astronomers have to use special telescopes with filters and other instruments to be able to see the cooler spots on the surface of the Sun. Sun spots come and go on a regular basis. At times, there are very few, if any sun spots. At other times there are far more. They generally increase in intensity and then decrease over a period of 11 years. This 11 year cycle is known as the Saros Cycle.

For this graph, please plot time on the horizontal (x) axis and the number of visible sunspots on the vertical (y) axis.

1917

104 Sunspots

1923

6 Sunspots

1929

78 Sunspots

1935

6 Sunspots

1941

114 Sunspots

1947

10 Sunspots

1953

152 Sunspots

1959

4 Sunspots

1965

190 Sunspots

This type of relationship is called a cyclic relationship because it illustrates a cycle, or repeating event.