Uma proposta de ensino de astronomia observacional com o instrumento Projetor Estelar

Abstract

The teaching of astronomy encompasses a wide range of concepts in its scope and is largely supported by educational instruments, as these allow for a better understanding and/or visualization of celestial phenomena. To complement this scenario, we indicate and discuss the educational possibilities of a new apparatus, which was developed by us and called Stellar Projector, which is composed of a set of electric motors that are automated and control the direction of a laser pointer. Based on the didactic potential of the apparatus, this work aims to develop didactic sequences aimed at non-formal education spaces, with a focus on observational astronomy. For this, we carried out a literature review to understand the area of astronomy teaching in Brazil, as well as an analysis of the main official documents that guide educational practices and the aspects that delimit the non-formal education spaces. To complement the process of observing the sky, we also use references from the history of science, seeking to make practices more humanized and establishing relationships between the cultural aspects of different peoples and astronomy. This theoretical study served as a basis for the elaboration of different educational practices that make up the didactic sequences. In the research methodology, we elucidated how the didactic sequences were made, which parameters and procedures were performed. We present in the didactic sequences the main concepts that can be explored by the Stellar Projector, such as dynamics of the celestial sphere, retrograde movement of the planets, ecliptic and movements of the Sun, phases of the Moon and constellations. In the final parts of this work we present an analysis of the practical tests carried out with the Stellar Projector and we make some considerations about developments and future projects that can be followed from this research.