Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
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.) 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 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