Download Extra Credit Activities: 

Extra Credit Activities:
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Theodore von Karman Lecture Series. Put on by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, this monthly
lecture series is a fascinating way to learn about the latest interplanetary and astronomical
research being done at JPL. The lectures are held on Thursday evenings in the von Karman
Auditorium at JPL in Pasadena and the lectures repeat on Friday evenings in the Vosloh Forum at
Pasadena City College (PCC). For more information see www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/lectures.php or
call (818) 354-1234. The lectures begin at 7:00 pm and are usually over by 8:15 or 8:30 pm.
There is no charge to attend the lectures!
Griffith Observatory Planetarium Show. In addition to having a terrific set of exhibits, the newly
renovated Griffith Observatory has some excellent planetarium shows that play multiple times per
day. See their website www.griffithobs.org/ for more details.
Tickets are $5 per show (with a student discount).
(It’s not required that you go to a planetarium show. The exhibits are great and if you make a
short description on what you saw (1 – 2 lines on each exhibit) you’ll get credit)
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All Space Considered. Griffith Observatory holds this fascinating, free, public program on the
first Friday of every month in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater. Programs start at 7:30
pm, and remaining dates for Spring 2016 are: March 4, April 1, May 6, and June 3. Join the
Observatory's curatorial staff as they examine and explain the most talked about subjects in
astronomy, space science, and space exploration. Seating is first come, first served…it is
recommended to arrive by 7:00 pm to ensure a seat! For more details see:
http://www.griffithobservatory.org/asc/all_space.html There is no charge for these programs
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Griffith Observatory Public Star Parties. Free public star parties are held monthly with the
assistance of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society and the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers
at Griffith Observatory from 2:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. These star parties are a chance for the whole
family to look at the sun, moon, visible planets, and other objects, to try out a variety of
telescopes, and to talk to knowledgeable amateur astronomers about the sky and their equipment.
Remaining dates for the Spring semester are Saturdays: February 13, March 12, April 16 and
May 14. For more information see:
http://www.griffithobservatory.org/programs/publictelescopes.html There is no charge to attend
the Star Parties.
Additional Extra Credit
Answer the following Discussion Questions – answering the question thoroughly = 5 pts. Each.
Answer the question and present to class = 10 pts. Each
CH 2.
1. All cultures on Earth named constellations. Why do you think this was such a common
practice? (Give examples)
CH 5.
4. What observations would you make if you were ordered to set up a system that could
warn astronauts in orbit of dangerous solar flares? (Such a warning system actually exists.)
CH 7.
1. Some astronomers argue that Jupiter and Saturn are unusual, while other astronomers argue
that all planetary systems should contain one or two such giant planets. What do you think?
Support your argument with evidence.
CH 10.
4. Ancient astronomers, philosophers, and poets assumed that the stars were eternal and
unchanging. Is there any observation they could have made or any line of reasoning that could
have led them to conclude that stars don’t live forever?
CH 14.
2. If you reject any model of the universe that has an edge is space because you can’t
comprehend such a thing, shouldn’t you also reject any model of the universe that has a
beginning ? Isn’t a beginning like an “edge” in time, or is there a difference?
CH 15
2. How do you think the detection of extraterrestrial intelligence would be received by the
public? Would it likelier upset, or confirm human’s beliefs about themselves and the world?