Download Introduction

Astronomy – Introduction Rough Notes
BRING:
Handouts
Videos : Yakko’s Universe (Use U-tube) and Universe Pan Use APOD
Index cards
Curtain
DISCLAIMER: These notes do NOT cover everything you need to know. You will often need to
look up some item or concept online or in a text. Test questions are not exact copies of the
OBJECTIVES but if you know the OBJECTIVES thoroughly, you should do well on the exams.
HANDOUTS:
Syllabus
Email/code name form
Syllabus Activity
OBJECTIVES:
(OBJECTIVES will be listed near the beginning of each day’s notes. I want you to know these or
be able to do these for exams. If the following are not covered in class, look them up in a text, in
the notes and/or on the web. One good study technique is to make flash cards for these.)
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Define moon, planet, star, solar system, galaxy and universe. (Look up these up in your text or
online then make and study a flashcard for each. A beginning astronomy text is the best source
for these.)
List the 3 hallmarks of science. Distinguish science from non-science. (flash cards good here
too.)
Learn and practice some of the study tips in the syllabus. (for example, make flash cards)
Develop a “feel” for the contents, size and layout of the solar system and universe. (Flashcards
may not help for this.)
Locate the class website, today’s notes, and today’s homework at the end of these notes.
Send an email to the instructor with content listed in the homework section of the today’s notes.
INTRODUCTION
What is astronomy?
Defined in syllabus
Good pictures here: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Video – Yakko’s Universe
Vocabulary – Moon, planet, star, solar system, galaxy, universe (see online or text)
Why Pluto got plutoed http://www.iau.org/public_press/themes/pluto/
What will this course cover?
 Sky sights you can see like Sun, Moon, planets, constellations, aurora, meteors
 The size of things in the universe
 The layout of the solar system and universe
 Science
 How we discovered we are not at the center of the solar system (Copernican Revolution)
 How we get information from the stars
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Birth of star and planets
Death of stars (white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes)
Collections of stars
Origin and fate of the universe
Astronomy vs. astrology
Astronomy is a science. Astrology is pseudoscience (fake/junk science).
How can you distinguish science from pseudoscience?
Science follows (3 hallmarks):
o Uses natural explanations not supernatural
o Requires testable, repeatable evidence
o Uses the simplest explanation
These are very condensed from Bennett…(See, for example, Bennett et.al., “Cosmic
Perspective”, 5th ed., Addison-Wesley, p 72.
Or http://www.pearsoncustom.com/pcmedia/uomcosmic/cosmic_ch03.pdf and search for
hallmarks)
Text book
Recommended: Seeds, "Horizons: Exploring the Universe" 10th, 11th, 12th, or 13th edition
Do you need to buy a text? - Depends on how you study
If you are good at looking things up on the web, then probably not
If you like to have a reference at hand, then probably yes
We do not require a text but the notes refer to the texts above. You will occasionally need to look
up information so owning your own text is very helpful as a reference especially if you do not
understand something in lecture. If you are very good at searching the web, you may not need to
buy a text BUT we and other students find that text books have better explanations and definitions
than the web. We have also seen definitions that are not quite right and some that are just wrong.
Two texts are on reserve in the MCTC library but they must be used in the library.
Any introductory astronomy text will work. Some other good texts are listed below:
 Seeds and Backman, "Horizons: Exploring the Universe" 11th edition
 or Dana Backman and Michael A. Seeds, "Astro 4LTR", 1st Edition
 or Bennett, “Cosmic Perspective”
 or Palen, “Understanding our Universe”
 or Chaisson, “Astronomy”
Used texts and earlier editions are less expensive. E-texts and rentals are also available.
How much math?
The prerequisite for Astronomy is to successfully complete Basic Algebra.
We will especially use scientific notation (3.02 X 108 ) and dividing numbers.
The prerequisite for Astronomy Lab is also to successfully complete Basic Algebra.
We will especially use scientific notation (3.02 X 108 ), dividing numbers, canceling in
fractions, and plugging numbers into a formula.
Do you need the lab?
Hands-on applications of our studies in lecture
AA degree – Two science courses in different disciplines, one with lab
Transfer curriculum – Same as AA degree
Transfer to many colleges – Two science courses, one biology, one physical both w lab
Note: You may take Astronomy Lab next semester.
Who is the teacher?
Sections 01 and 02 - Parke Kunkle (MCTC, Planetarium, Bell Museum http://bellmuseum.org )
Section 90 - Sarah Komperud (Planetarium, Bell Museum http://bellmuseum.org )
Who is the student?
You will fill in this form in class: Email/code name form
If you missed the first day of class, complete it and hand it in right away.
Syllabus Activity
Done in class
TIME MANAGEMENT
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Budget and Manage your time carefully!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hours worked
Credits that can be
including travel
taken by students
time
living in a dormitory
0
18
5
17
10
15
15
13
20
12
25
10
30
8
35
7
40
5
Source: University of Minnesota
Credits that can be
taken by students
living off-campus
15
13
12
10
8
7
5
3
2
EXTREMELY USEFUL RESOURCE: http://www.mctcteach.org/astronomy
Overview calendar (Do not print. Will change. Check frequently for updates.)
Other useful resources:
 Several texts are on reserve in the MCTC library for in-library use
 Other notes on astronomy at http://astronomynotes.com (free and good)
 Lectures on astronomy http://asterisk.apod.com/viewforum.php?f=24 (also free and decent)
 Video tapes of some astronomy lectures by Prof. Alex Filippenko are in my office
How to read a text, especially a science text
• Read the chapter summary
• Skim the chapter (Look at the pictures, get a rough idea of what the chapter is about)
• Read the chapter thoroughly and underline important points. You will often need to read
and think about each sentence carefully. This is slow but necessary.
• Read the summary again.
Study tips
• Before class:
Read chapter summary and skim chapter
Or
Read my notes from the web
• In class:
Take notes.
Ask questions.
Actively participate when asked.
 After class:
Read objectives.
Read the text (summary, skim, underline, summary).
Review notes.
Make flash cards for each of the OBJECTIVES.
Discuss your answers to the OBJECTIVES with others (Students, tutors, instructor)
Form study groups and ACTIVELY participate in them.
MAKING FLASHCARDS
Flashcards help you study. We and other students highly recommend them. You can use apps
for your smart phone or index cards. Here is an example.
The first OBJECTIVE above says to define moon so write moon on one side of an index card.
Then look up the definition of moon in your text and write the definition on the other side of the
card.
Moon
One side of index card
A celestial body that orbits a
planet
Other side of index card
USING INDEX CARDS
Make index cards after every lecture.
Study them every night by looking at one side and repeating the other side OUT LOUD. If you
can’t do that, you don’t know them yet.
LAYOUT AND SIZE OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM, MILKY WAY GALAXY AND UNIVERSE
Zoom out from Earth to edge of visible universe
1. http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100120.html
2. http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html
3. http://scaleofuniverse.com/
HOMEWORK
Read the syllabus.
Look at the calendar on the website. Mark test dates (including the final exam) on your
calendar.
Make and study flashcard(s) for each important OBJECTIVE above.
Send your instructor an email (see syllabus for email address) by Saturday, 16 January at
10:00am:
The email should be FROM THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOU READ.
The email must include:
 In the subject line type: Astronomy homework
 In the body of the email type: I found today’s notes on your website.
 Also in the body of the email, type your first and last name
Watch the 3 videos/apps from “LAYOUT…” above.
Read the text or the web or these notes covering today’s material.
Before the next class, skim Thursday’s notes. You do not have to understand everything, just
have an idea of what we will cover.
Revised 29 December 2015