Astronomy 104 Exploration of Our Solar System

Robert Mathieu Marta Sewilo

Astronomy 104 Exploration of Our Solar System Goals Goals To perceive the sky and the Solar System as a part of your To perceive the sky and the Solar System as a part of your environment to which you are connected – physically, historically, and culturally/personally. To have a unified understanding of the evolution of the Solar System and Earth’s place in the story. To have a unified understanding of the evolution of the Solar System and Earth’s place in the story. To obtain a deep understanding of Newtonian laws of motion and gravity. To obtain a deep understanding of Newtonian laws of motion and gravity.

Astronomy 104 Exploration of Our Solar System Goals Goals To obtain a modest understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and emission/absorption of light. To obtain a modest understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and emission/absorption of light. To understand the energy sources of the Sun and the Solar System, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics To understand the energy sources of the Sun and the Solar System, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics To understand the scientific “way of knowing”, with an emphasis on the role of uncertainty. To understand the scientific “way of knowing”, with an emphasis on the role of uncertainty.

Astronomy 104 Exploration of Our Solar System Textbooks Textbooks The Solar System: The Cosmic Perspective The Solar System: The Cosmic Perspective University Book Store University Book Store Discovering the Cosmos Discovering the Cosmos Bob’s Copy Shop, University Square Bob’s Copy Shop, University Square On Reserve at HC White and Astronomy Library (Sterling, 6th floor) On Reserve at HC White and Astronomy Library (Sterling, 6th floor) Website Website PowerPoints from lectures PowerPoints from lectures Download handouts, assignments, etc. Download handouts, assignments, etc. Fun links Fun links Discussion Sections Discussion Sections Sections do not meet week of January 19! Sections do not meet week of January 19!

Communication Communication Discussion Sections Discussion Sections Office Hours - our doors are always open when we’re in! Office Hours - our doors are always open when we’re in! and Phone and Phone Study Groups Study Groups Math Math High school algebra/trig and geometry High school algebra/trig and geometry F = ma F = ma F g = GM 1 M 2 /R 2 F g = GM 1 M 2 /R 2 R = d * sin  R = d * sin  Scientific notation Scientific notation 1,000,000 = ,000,000 = = = * = * = 10 2 Tutorial information on scientific math at website or us Tutorial information on scientific math at website or us Astronomy 104 Exploration of Our Solar System

Assignments Assignments Reading Reading Emphasize what we cover in classes Emphasize what we cover in classes Homeworks Homeworks Handed out on Wednesday, due next Wednesday Handed out on Wednesday, due next Wednesday No extensions! (but lowest grade will be dropped) No extensions! (but lowest grade will be dropped) Observing Labs Observing Labs Nighttime observing, at your convenience Nighttime observing, at your convenience Portfolio Portfolio Still being developed … Still being developed … Exams Exams 6- and 12-week, Final 6- and 12-week, Final Primarily multiple choice Primarily multiple choice Collaboration Collaboration Strongly encouraged! Strongly encouraged! You must write up your assignments independently. You must write up your assignments independently. Astronomy 104 Exploration of Our Solar System

Grading Grading Homeworks80 pts Observing50 Portfolio70 6-week exam50 12-week exam50 Final100 Scale not curved -everyone can earn an A! Scale not curved -everyone can earn an A! A AB B BC C D F< 200 Half-grade discretion to reward positive performance and vice-versa Astronomy 104 Exploration of Our Solar System

ConcepTests ConcepTests Conceptual questions integrated into lectures Conceptual questions integrated into lectures I pose the question I pose the question You take 1-2 minutes to think about it individually You take 1-2 minutes to think about it individually You show me your answers with color-coded cards You show me your answers with color-coded cards If concept is not well understood, you take 2-3 minutes to discuss your answers in groups of 3-4 neighbors. If concept is not well understood, you take 2-3 minutes to discuss your answers in groups of 3-4 neighbors. We all work toward consensus. We all work toward consensus. You learn significantly more than in standard 50 minute “sage-on-the- stage” lectures. You learn significantly more than in standard 50 minute “sage-on-the- stage” lectures. And ITS FUN! And ITS FUN! If you are looking for a passive lecture experience, this is not the class to take!! Astronomy 104 Exploration of Our Solar System

A set of four 3x5 cards is dealt on a table as shown above. Each card has a letter on one side and a number on the other. The dealer proposes that these 4 cards satisfy the rule: “If there is a vowel on one side of the card, then there is an odd number on the other.” What is the smallest number of cards you have to turn over to be sure the rule is satisfied? K 2 A 7ConcepTest!

First Assignment! Go to Go to Flashcards link Go to Flashcards link Print out A-F and mount on 4x6 cards Print out A-F and mount on 4x6 cards Extra credit if you show up in discussion section Extra credit if you show up in discussion section next week with your cards! next week with your cards! BRING TO EVERY LECTURE!!

Motions in the Sky

Constellations Celestial Sphere Badgeris

Time and Space in the Solar System Horizon Earth Up Noon

Concept Test! Horizon Earth A.Midnight B.6:00 pm C.Noon D.6:00 am Midnight

Horizon Earth A.Midnight B.6:00 pm C.Noon D.6:00 am 6:00 pm Concept Test!

Daily Motion Daily Motion Every celestial object - Every celestial object - Sun, Moon, planets, stars - Sun, Moon, planets, stars - appears to circle the Earth in appears to circle the Earth in ONE DAY Due to Earth rotating in one day Due to Earth rotating in one day