Famous Astronomer Biography: Cecilia Payne

Use this famous astronomer biography to introduce your students to one of the most influential and important astronomers of the modern age! Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin discovered that the Sun and stars are made of helium and hydrogen.

Both print and Google Slides options to assign are included.

In this activity, students will:

  • READ an engaging biography about Cecilia, how she used spectroscopy to determine the elements in stars, and how her ideas were initially dismissed.
  • ANSWER text-dependent questions based on the article. No prior knowledge is required!

Teacher Notes:

  • This resource is not editable.
  • An answer key is included.
  • A link to the Google Slides version of this famous astronomer biography is included with purchase.
  • You can also shop our TPT store!

Related Standards:

  • NGSS MS-ESS1-1: Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses, and seasons.
  • NGSS MS-ESS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.
  • NGSS MS-ESS1-3: Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.

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Grade Levels: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 NGSS Standards: HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3, MS-ESS1-1, MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3