Download word format - Physics and Astronomy

Astronomy 212V
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The Solar System
Fall 2006
Prof. Andy Layden
112 Overman Hall, 372-8653, [email protected]
MWF 12:30-1:20, T 3:45-5:00, R 9:30-10:20, or by appointment.
Pathways to Astronomy, Schneider & Arny, 2007.
TR 2:30–3:45 pm in 184 Overman Hall
http://physics.bgsu.edu/~layden/a212v.htm
Taylor Copeland, [email protected], “Library Hours” TBD
Overview: This course focuses on the planets and other objects that orbit our Sun. Topics include:
the appearance of the night sky and what it tells us about the structure of our Solar System;
exploration by telescopes and spacecraft; the Sun; a planet-by-planet tour, with emphasis on
similarities and differences; the scientific explanation of how the solar system formed and
developed, and the supporting evidence; the planetary systems recently discovered around other
stars; and the possibility that life exists elsewhere in the universe. Some class time will be spent
doing activities that clarify how astronomers obtain and interpret information about distant worlds.
We will connect astronomy with human history, culture, and technology, and discuss the values1
that arise in those contexts, including:
(1) How do values affect how scientists go about their work, and how are values a part of the
overall process of science?
(2) Methods for generating civilization’s energy and electricity and their effects on the
economy, environment, and human health & safety, including the greenhouse effect &
global warming;
(3) Public funding of astronomy specifically and the sciences in general;
Learning Outcomes: Students completing this course successfully will be able to:
(1) Describe in detail, using proper terminology, the physical nature of the planets and other
objects in the Solar System;
(2) Describe the appearance of the night sky, its motions, and their physical causes;
(3) Describe the scientific explanation for the formation and development of the Solar System,
and support it using information from the physical nature of the planets and their motions;
(4) Explain how scientists use observation and mathematics to learn more about the Solar
System, and use basic forms of some of these methods;
(5) Recognize, discuss, and describe the values that arise in this course, including the contexts
described above;
(6) Identify ways that values shape personal and public discussion and governmental policy on
these issues;
1
Values (noun): principles, standards, or qualities considered worthwhile or desirable.
(7) Understand, articulate, and evaluate reasons that support your values choices, as well as the
choices of someone with different values preferences.
Grading:
• Quizzes (weekly)
∑ Class participation & timely completion of Activities
∑ Three 2-3 page papers discussing Values issues
• Two Hour Exams
∑ One comprehensive Final Exam
∑ Attend one Stargaze at the BGSU Observatory (see page 4)
∑ Optional extra credit (see list of projects on class website)
12% of final grade
12% of final grade
24% of final grade (8% each)
24% of final grade (10% each)
22% of final grade
6% of final grade
up to 5% of final grade.
After most major assignments are graded, I will post an estimate your interim grade (during the
semester) or your final course grade (after the final exam is corrected) on myBGSU.
Reading from the textbook will be assigned most nights along with several study questions. In
class, we will discuss and expand on the previous night’s reading. Doing the reading ensures you
will be prepared for discussions, activities, and new material.
Quizzes will be given in class about once per week. I will ask you to write short essays answering
two of the study questions from the reading assignments since the last quiz or exam. We will not
have quizzes on the weeks with an hour exam.
Activities are in-class assignments designed to help you get a better hands-on, and/or mathematical,
feel for the concepts you have read about. They will be graded as: 2 = careful job, 1 = late or
careless job, 0 = not turned in.
Values Papers: Write an opinion paper on each of the three values topics (see Overview) that
includes, (1) what you know and have learned about the topic, (2) what is controversial about the
topic, (3) your opinion on the issue and how your opinion relates to your values system, and (4)
how someone with a different values system might respond to the topic. Details to follow.
Hour and Final Exams will be a mixture of multiple choice, short-answer, and essay questions.
They will focus on astronomy concepts and content, but may include values.
Bring to every class: Textbook, calculator, pencil/pen, notebook/paper (3-ring binder?). Your
calculator should do scientific (exponential) notation [e.g., TI-30Xa or Sharp EL-506VB, $12].
Accessing your Grades via MyBGSU: check your grade any time using your MyBGSU account.
1) Enter your web browser (Internet Explorer v5.0 or higher is preferred, Netscape is probably ok):
• From the bgsu.edu, click on the MyBGSU button, or type in “my.bgsu.edu”.
• Enter your email userid (example, “laydena”) and password, then click “Log-In”.
2) Click on the “My Courses” tab near the top of the page.
3) Select “The Solar System” from the list of courses in which you are participating.
4) Click the “Tools” button and select “My Grades”.
5) Your grades should appear.
• If you have trouble with any of these steps, contact me or the Student Technology Center (29277).
• If you think a grade is incorrectly reported, please contact me as soon as possible.
• It may take me a day or two after an assignment is due to get the grades posted, please be patient.
Important Dates:
• Tue Aug 22 -- First day of class.
• Thu Sep 28 -- First Hour Exam!
• Tue Oct 10 -- Fall Break, no classes.
• Thu Nov 2 -- Second Hour Exam!
• Thu Nov 9 -- Last Stargaze.
• Thu Nov 23 -- Thanksgiving Break, no classes.
• Thu Dec 7 -- Last day of class, extra-credit Advanced Observing Projects due.
• Fri Dec 15 -- Final Exam, 3:30-5:30pm in our classroom.
Note: due dates for Values Papers are not yet scheduled, since they will come after class discussion
on the relevant topics. They will probably occur around Sep 21 (Values in Science), Oct 24
(Energy Generation), and Nov 30 (Science Funding).
Rough Calendar:
Week
1
2
3
Topics
Constellations, celestial sphere, angles.
Motions of Sun and planets.
Lunar phases, lunar motions, eclipses.
4
Kepler’s laws, Newtonian gravity, orbital motion.
Values: How do values affect how scientists go about their work, and how are values a part of the
overall process of science?
5
Light, telescopes.
6
The Sun, compare and contrast with how we use energy on Earth
Values: Methods for generating civilization’s energy and electricity and their effects on the
economy, the environment, and human health & safety.
7
Origins in the Universe and of the solar system.
8
Earth: formation, interior, surface & atmosphere.
9
Moon and Mercury: cratering & evolution.
10
Venus & Mars: the other terrestrial worlds.
Values: The natural and man-made greenhouse effects, climate change.
11
Jupiter & Saturn: gas worlds, rings, and moons.
12
The outer planets: Uranus & Neptune vs. Pluto.
Values: Public funding of astronomy specifically and the sciences in general.
13
Meteorites, asteroids & comets – origins revisited.
14
Extra-solar planets and extraterrestrial life.
Astronomy 212 Stargaze Schedule -- Fall 2006
The goal of the Stargaze is to give you the opportunity to view the heavens first-hand with the help
of experienced instructors. You will learn some constellations, look at stars through a small
telescope (8-inch, a typical telescope bought by amateurs), and look at fainter celestial objects
through a larger research telescope (20-inch). BGSU is one of a few Universities to have a large
telescope on campus, within easy reach of its students. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity!
A warning -- the things you see won't be as beautifully dramatic as the color pictures in your
textbook. Those are long exposure photographs taken with large telescopes at the best observing
sites in the world. What you will see is light that has traveled huge distances across empty space,
captured by your very own eyes. I find it awe-inspiring!
Stargazes begin at the following times:
August 27 -- December 7
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
10:00 p.m.
EXCEPT no sessions on:
Sun Sep 3 and Mon Sep 4 (Labor Day),
Sun Oct 8, Mon Oct 9, & Tue Oct 10 (Fall Break),
Tue Nov 21, Wed Nov 22, Thu Nov 23, & Sun Nov 26 (Thanksgiving).
1. We encourage you to make your stargaze visit early in the semester. Many sessions (2 out of 3)
are lost to bad weather, especially late in the semester. Do not wait until the end, or you may get
closed out by bad weather or large crowds. Plan ahead! Go early!
2. Stargaze sessions are held in the Observatory area on the roof of the Physical Sciences
Laboratory Building (PSLB). Enter the building at the west door, next to the Planetarium. Wait in
the lobby on the ground floor. Do not use the stairs. You will be escorted to the Observatory in a
group as near as possible to the scheduled time. Each session lasts about 45 - 60 minutes.
3. The maximum size of a group is 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis. About one hour
before the first session, a sign-up sheet will be posted near the clock in the lobby. If the 10pm
session fills, sign up for the 11pm session. If the 11pm session fills, the staff may (at their
discretion) hold a third session starting around 12pm. You may wait in the Planetarium lobby,
though you may find it more comfortable in the Ogg Science Library on the 2nd floor of the MathScience Building.
3. There is no late admission. If you miss the departure of a group, you must wait until the next
session. There are no exceptions and there is no other access to the Observatory.
4. Look at the sky before you come. Sessions are held only when the sky is clear and free of
clouds. If it's cloudy, partly cloudy, too hazy, foggy, raining, or snowing, the sessions must be
canceled. If you live out of town or sky conditions look ambiguous to you, you can call 372-8831
for a recorded message telling whether the sessions will be held or canceled. The tape is put in one
hour before the first scheduled session, so please do not call earlier than that, or you may get a
wrong message.
5. Bring your student ID card. This is how you get the points credited to your grade!
6. Dress warmly. The roof is usually colder and windier than the ground. No smoking, food, or
beverages on the roof. Observing Under the Influence (OUI) is not permitted.
7. The student telescope operators have full disciplinary authority if necessary.
Contact Information for Emotional Help Services:
2-2081 -- BGSU Counseling Center
352-1545 -- The Link (24-hour crisis line)
2-2120 -- Barbara Hoffman, head of Coalition Against Sexual Offenses (CASO)
2-2190 -- Rebecca Theis, Transformation Project Victim's Advocate (until Sept. 30)