When describing the Virgo Cluster to students, they will naturally want to know how far away it is. You can give students a general idea of the distance by illustrating a comparison using simple math. The Virgo Cluster is about 48 million light years away -- one light year equals 6 trillion miles. Begin by explaining that the distance from Los Angeles to New York is almost 2,500 miles -- a measurement most students will understand. Then explain that one trillion miles is equal to 2,400,000,000 coast-to-coast trips. Use an iPad calculator hooked to a projector to show the total number multiplied 48 times. Students down't have to fully grasp the distance but instead appreciate just how far away it is.
The Virgo Cluster is a network of galaxies within the Virgo constellation, and galaxies and constellations can be easily explained and described to students. But to really give them a memorable educational experience you can cast a 3D image of our galaxy in your classroom. Google SkyMap can be downloaded on Android or iPhone at no charge. It casts a real-time image of the galaxy according to the angle your tablet is positioned. Simply use a Bluetooth connection to link your device to a projector and you can fill the classroom with an augmented reality image of the galaxy as a visual teaching aid for descriptive purposes.
When describing the Virgo Cluster you will want to talk about colors, as the Virgo Cluster is colorful. Thanks to modern technology, color gradients can be seen in the Virgo Cluster via powerful telescopes with infrared technology. According to Cornell University, dust and gases in the Virgo Cluster play a role in forming the gradient colors. Pull up some images of the Virgo Cluster that show its colors and in simple terms explain their existence using descriptive language. You can further describe the Virgo Cluster by doing a simple yet fun experiment in class with some dry ice smoke and colored lights to mimic a planetary nebula -- a colorful expanding shell of glowing gas. Dim the room's primary lighting and shine your colored lights on the smoke. A flashlight and some colored transparencies work well here.
Celestial cartography is the science of mapping and charting the stars and galaxies. It can also be a fun exercise for students and a great way for teachers to describe the Virgo Cluster. If you can borrow a sextant, students can take turns using it to map the Virgo Cluster based on measurements you provide. A sextant is an easy instrument to use and requires simple pivot motions to chart measurements. You can use colored markings to represent things like distances, stars and gradient colors. Having students make a map of the Virgo Cluster will help them comprehend it while simultaneously providing you with a visual aid to assist in your subject description.