Lesson Plan on Topographic Maps

Objectives: Students will be able to

  1. construct a topographic map and profile of a model of an asteroid.
  2. determine what information the maps can provide about an asteroids surface.

Grade Levels: 8-12

Background Information:

The NEAR Laser Rangefinder (NLR) used in NASA's NEAR mission will provide measurements of the topography of the surface of Eros. Topographic profiles of major morphologic features including craters and grooves will also be made.

Topography refers to the shape of the surface of a specific body that will be measured with various physical features such as plains and plateaus. For example, the Earth has three major types of landscape regions: mountains, plains, and plateaus.

The activity provided is a laboratory investigation on making a topographic map of the surface of an asteroid. Then students will use that topographic map to make a profile of the asteroid's surface depicting various physical features of the asteroid. Finally, the students will interpret their maps.

Activities:

Activity: Making a Topographic Map and Profile of an Asteroid

No Frames Table of Contents

[LMGFP home page] Contact Karen Krupinsky (kgurley@gsfc.nasa.gov) or
Tammy Seergae (tseergae@umd.edu) for further information.