Space Photo Lab
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Introduction
Arizona has
a long and rich tradition of planetary science studies, including field
investigations of the world's best preserved impact crater (Meteor
Crater) over the last 100 years, the establishment of Lowell Observatory
in Flagstaff at the turn of the century for the study of Mars and other
planets, establishment of the headquarters for the U.S. Geological
Survey's Center for Astrogeology, and field training for the Apollo
astronauts for their journey to the Moon. Today, Arizona has the greatest
concentration of active planetary scientists in the world. A half dozen
observatories have major facilities in the state. Numerous aerospace
companies and all three state universities conduct cutting-edge research
in planetary science. Arizona is particularly well suited for planetary
geology. Craters, volcanoes, and other landforms and geological processes
are all well displayed and readily accessible for study by professionals
and students of all ages. In this manual
we have provided a guide to some of the resources available for exploring
planetary science in Arizona. The basic activity is a two-day field
trip from Phoenix to Flagstaff and vicinity. The focus is on volcanic
features, craters, and general geology - all the relevant geological
features necessary for understanding and interpreting surface features
on the Moon, Mars, and other terrestrial planets. The field trip (affectionately
termed "The Holey Tour") has been run for the past two decades by Professor
Ronald Greeley of Arizona State University at the college freshman
level as part of an introductory planetary geology course. It can be
frustrating for students to place planetary processes, such as volcanism
and impact cratering, into their own sphere of experience without hands-on
activities. The practical aspect of sitting on the side of a volcano
or peering over the rim of an impact crater is an invaluable teaching
tool - truly "hands-on" learning! The field trip
has worked so well with college students that Dr. Greeley felt all
levels of students should be provided with the experience of "field-learning."
Under the sponsorship of the Planetary Geoscience Program, NASA, the
field trip has been modified for different grade levels as one-day
and two-day trips. These field guides were prepared by a group of active
Arizona science teachers. Their individual field trips are given below,
along with various ideas on how the trip can be integrated with established
science curricula, and some suggestions on logistics, involvement of
parents, etc. In addition to the original college exercise--The
Holey Tour, there is a photographic and mileage log (The
Captain's Log), and a short bio about the developer of each
exercise. We hope that
with this manual and the natural outdoor laboratory of the state of
Arizona, you and your students can benefit from the field experience.
Planetary Geology of Arizona Educational Guidebook
