Astronomy GCSE Course content

Astronomy GCSE content topics

The course has two components;

Unit 1: Naked Eye Astronomy

Topic 1 Planet Earth
Topic 2  The Lunar Disc
Topic 3  The Earth-Moon-Sun System
Topic 4 Time and the Earth-Moon-Sun Cycles
Topic 5 Solar System Observation
Topic 6 Celestial Observation
Topic 7 Early Models of the Solar System
Topic 8 Planetary Motion and Gravity

Unit 1 is assessed at the end of the course by sitting a 1 hour and 45 minutes exam.

Unit 2: Telescopic Astronomy

Topic   9  Exploring the Moon
Topic 10  Solar Astronomy
Topic 11  Exploring the Solar System
Topic 12 Formation of Planetary Systems
Topic 13 Exploring Starlight
Topic 14 Stellar Evolution
Topic 15 Our Place in the Galaxy
Topic 16 Cosmology

Unit 2 is also assessed by sitting a 1 hour 45 minutes exam.

Observational Tasks

These are tasks which are created to enhance the learner's enjoyment of Astronomy. All students of GCSE Astronomy must have completed a minimum of 2 Observational Tasks in order to be entered into the GCSE exams. However, it is strongly recommended by the exam board to complete more than 2 tasks because the tasks are linked to the work covered in the course content and enable the learner to engage more effectively with both naked eye and telescopic astronomy. These are chosen from a list which Edexcel provides (subject to possible change every two years). There is a wide range of choices and each piece of work creates the opportunity for the student to enjoy exploring a specific aspect of astronomical observation. At least one Observational Task must be from column A (naked Eye Astronomy) and at least one from column B (Telescopic Astronomy) in the list Edexcel provides.

Students have logins to access the Liverpool (Robotic) Telescope and to request the telescope take observations which are then sent to the student to be converted into images and analysed. So it is not strictly necessary to purchase a telescope or binoculars to complete the course, though it is advantageous to do so.

Each year students enjoy this challenge, and without exception have expressed how much they have learned from the challenges of night sky observing in our typical British weather(!), learning their way around the sky, using a robotic telescope, becoming familiar with the Moon's features, noticing and appreciating the different colours of stars, estimating apparent magnitudes, and a whole host of other elements of photographing, drawing and interpreting observations of celestial objects.

This work is internally assessed and the tutor/teacher/lecturer sends the exam board a certificate verifying that all students who have been entered for the exam have completed a minimum of 2 observational tasks. This certificate must be signed by both the teacher and the Head of School/College.

For further information on this exciting course, see the links below.

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/astronomy-2017.html

*Note it is not necessary to have GCSE maths in order to be able to do this course. There is a small maths element of the course, but basic numeracy is sufficient. So take heart, all of those who have the 'Ihatemaths' sentiment out there, many have competed this course very successfully, enjoyed the course very much, have deftly negotiated the small amount of maths in the course, and still manage to emerge with their dislike of maths almost intact :)