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Astronomy 1001
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Section 2
Syllabus
Astronomy 1001: Exploring the Universe
Section 2, Spring semester 2013
Prof. Roberta M. Humphreys, 358 Physics, tel. 624-6530
Lectures: 10:10 – 11:00 am on Mon, Wed, Fri. in room 166 Physics.
Office hours: 11:00 – noon MW
-- The hour before class is usually a bad time except for very
brief matters.
-- I will usually be in class at least 5 minutes before lecture and can stay
afterwards for several minutes. These are good times to take care of
most questions.
For routine questions about course material, please ask a TA first
(see below).
E-mail: [email protected]
Warning: Don’t rely on e-mail for important or urgent questions.
The inflow rate has become far too large.
TA office hours, in 451 Physics (for routine questions):
Hours will be posted on the doors outside rooms 450 and B49.
Textbook: Recommended Book – Discovering the Essential Universe by
Neil Comins.
Any recently published introductory astronomy text however will be
satisfactory. I recommend used and paperback copies for the best price.
Note that exams are based on my lectures. So attend class and take notes.
The textbook is useful for studying and review.
Web page for Ast 1001 http://www.astro.umn.edu/courses/1001/
Book for the lab exercises: Astronomy 1001/1011H Laboratory Manual 2012-2013, a
local production available in the university bookstore.
Concerning the lab part of this course:
1. Labs are quite separate from the lectures.
2. Get a copy of the Astronomy 100/1011H1 Laboratory Manual 2012 – 2013,
at the university bookstore. Since this book is a local production, most other
stores won’t have it.
3. Important: Part of the lab course is an “observational project” concerning
the Moon. Read about it and start observing the Moon as soon as possible!
If you fall behind in this project, there honestly is no way to catch up.
( Note that the Moon is full on Jan 27 and visible all night. It will be in third
quarter on Feb3 and visible after midnight into the early morning.)
4. A schedule for lab activities is appended to this syllabus.
Grading: Officially we use the following recipe for final scores and grades.
First mid-semester exam …
Second exam …
Final exam …
12 labs …
Observational project …
160 pts.16%
160 16 %
300 30 %
240 24 %
140 14 %
However, in effect the exams are even more important than these score-numbers
indicate, for a statistical reason that will be mentioned in class.
Grading will be based on a “modified curve”. Anyone earning 90% or better will
earn an A- or higher. 50% is required to pass (D or better) and 60% for a C- or
better. If you’re taking the course S/N, then a grade of ‘S’ will mean “C- or better
(60%).
Note: Furthermore, to get a passing grade you must earn 50% of the lab points
(120/240) and 50% of the Obs. project points (70/140) and take all 3 exams.
Exam dates: Dates for the two mid-semester exams have not been finalized yet
but they will most likely be Mar 1, when I have finished the solar system and the
week of April 8, when I have finished lecturing on stars. The correct dates will be
announced in class at least a week in advance. In each case the rooms used for
the exam will be announced in class.
The final will be given ; Friday May 17, 10:30 am-- 12:30 pm, room TBD
Academic standards: The CLA and CSE scholastic conduct and classroom
procedures will be followed. You are responsible for knowing these, see the
university website. Students are welcome to work together, exchange ideas, etc.
But for the Observational Project you must do your own measurements and
calculations.
Exam procedures: Room assignments for the exams will be announced
beforehand in class, Bring two pencils and a photo ID to each exam! Exams may
include multiple-choice, short- answer, and essay questions. If you miss an
exam, see the professor.
All makeups are given on study day, May 11. Time and place to be determined.
Exam scores will be posted by your course and ID# on the web. If you feel there’s
a mistake on the multiple-choice part of an exam, please see the secretary in the
astronomy department office, 356 Physics. Questions about essay questions
should be directed to the professor.
Environmental theme: This course satisfies the “environmental theme” specified
on the university website. It introduces students to a wide range of topics,
including physical principles and not just astronomy. One goal is to show the
Earth in a broad context with a unique perspective on our home planet and its
environment in the universe. In this course we’ll see how science views and
interprets the physical world around us.
Ast 1001 Section 2 Professor Humphreys
Outline of Lectures
powerpoints will be posted at http://www.astro.umn.edu/courses/1001/
Week
Dates
Topic(s)
1
Jan 23, 25
Introduction
Historical Perspective
2
Jan 28,30
Feb 1
3
Feb 4,6,8
4
Feb 11, 13,15
5
Feb 18,20,22
6
Feb 25,27, Mar 1
Appearance of the Night Sky, Motions of
the Earth and Moon
Text
Ch 1
Ch. 2
Ch.1, 2
Light, optics and telescopes
Ch. 3 pg 61-88
Formation of Solar System, Extrasolar planets Ch 2, pg 43-58
Terrestrial planets
Jovian Planets and their satellites
Minor and dwarf planets, comets, meteors
Role of Impacts.
First Exam Mar 1 ?
Ch. 4, 5
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 6
Week
Dates
7
Mar 4,6,8
8
Mar 11,13,15
Mar 18 – 22
9
10
Mar 25,27,29
April 1,3,5
Topic(s)
The atom and spectroscopy
The Sun as a Star
Properties of the stars
Text
Ch. 3, pg 89-102
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Spring Break
Star formation, Stellar Evolution
Star Death - white dwarfs, supernovae,
neutron stars, black holes
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Second Exam -- week of April 8
11
12
13
14
15
April 8,10,12
April 15,17,19
April 22,24,26
April 29, May 1,3
May 6, 8, 10
Second Exam , Milky Way
Normal Galaxies
Galaxies and the distance - redshift relation
Origin, evolution, and fate of the Universe
Life in the Universe, (catch - up)
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 12
Ch. 13
FINAL EXAM Sect 2 Friday, May 17 th, 10:30 am - 12:30pm, room TBD
Schedule for Labs Spring 2013 Ast 1001
Week of Jan 21
no lab meetings
Jan 28
Lab exercise D (Moon)
Feb 4
exercise A (Distances)
Feb 11
B (Kepler's Laws)
Feb 18
E (Telescopes)
first 3 Moon observations (Part I) due Feb 22, 5 pm
Feb 25
L (Impacts)
Mar 4
M or N (Life)
Mar 11
I ( Energy)
Mar 18
Spring Break
Mar 25
NO LAB
At least six new Moon observations (Part II) due Mar 29, 5 pm
Apr 1
F (Spectroscopy)
Apr 8
H (HR Diagram)
Apr 15
K (History of Matter)
Apr 22
J (Expansion of Universe)
Final Moon Obs project due April 26, 5 pm
Apr 29
G (Dark Matter)
May 30
NO LAB
Astronomy -- the study of the stars
The Sun and solar system
The Stars -- their birth and death
Galaxies and the Universe
In Astronomy we are concerned with origins and endings --Your concepts of space and time will be altered.
Time = Ages
Earth, Sun and Solar System --- 4.5 x 109 yrs
--- 10 x 109 yrs
Age of Galaxy (oldest stars) --- ~ 12 x 109 yrs
Solar Lifetime
Age of Universe (expansion age) --- ~ 12 – 13 x 109 yrs
Space = Distances
Earth – Moon --- 284,400 km ( 240,000 mi)
Earth – Sun
--- 150 x 106 km ( 93 million miles)
Solar System (to Pluto) --- 5.9 x 109 km (3.7 billion miles)
Nearest Star --- 4.3 light years ( ~ 41 x 1012 km )
Center of Galaxy --- 27,000 light years ( 256 x 1015 km)
Andromeda Galaxy --- 2.3 x 106 light yrs ( 22 x 1018 km )