ASTR101a - Astronomical Ideas

ASTR101a
Astronomical Ideas - Fall 2009

Instructor: Beth Willman
INSC L108
610.896.1201
bwillman at haverford dot edu

Class: MWF 10:30 - 11:30 and 11:30 - 12:30 in Stokes 010
Discussion Section: One hour per week, on W or Th
Occasional evening labs: Tentative schedule
Office Hours: M 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm; Tu 9:30 am - 10:30 am; Th 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Its the International Year of Astronomy

Exam 1 solutions

Exam 2 solutions

Brief Class Description:

This is a one semester survey course intended for non-science majors. We will discuss and analyze a broad range of astronomical phenomenon, from the motions of the night sky, to planets in the solar system and far beyond, to the life histories and properties of stars, galaxies, and the universe as a whole. This course is organized conceptually by the questions listed below in the course outline, has no prerequisites, and will use only algebra and the barest hint of trigonometry.

The textbook for this course is 21st Century Astronomy (2nd edition) by Hester et al. Much of the course material is included in this text, but there will also be material only available from the lecture or from supplementary reading.

Goals:

These are adapted from Goals for "Astro 101": Reports of Workshops for Department Leaders

1. A cosmic perspective - a broad understanding of the nature, scope and evolution of the Universe, and where the Earth and Solar System fit in.
2. An understanding of a limited number of crucial astronomical quantities, together with some knowledge of appropriate physical laws.
3. An understanding of the notion that physical laws and processes are universal.
4. An understanding of the notion that the world is knowable, and that we are coming to know it through observations, experiments, and theory.
5. Exposure to the types, roles and degrees of uncertainty in science.
6. An understanding of the evolution of physical systems.
7. Familiarity with the night sky and how its appearance changes with time.
8. A sense of excitement for the process of doing science.
9. Training in analyzing evidence and critical thinking.

Course Outline:

Conceptually, this class is organized as a series of questions, roughly one of which will be addressed each week:

1. Where, when, and how big are we?

2. How long until sunset?

3. What do the patterns I see in the sky mean?

4. Does the Universe revolve around me?

5. Why should I believe anything astronomers say?

6. Why isn't Pluto a planet?

7. Are we alone?

8. Why do some stars in the sky look red, and others blue? Look bright, and others faint?

9. Why does the Sun shine?

10. Where did the elements that compose my body come from?

11. Do black holes suck?

12. What kind of zoo do galaxies live in?

13. If dark matter is so dark, then how are we so sure its there?

14. How did the Universe begin and how is it going to end?

Assignments and Grading:

The lectures, assignments and exams will stress reasoning and problem solving rather than memorization. It is therefore important to complete all reading assignments on time to get the most out of the lectures.

30% Homework sets: Homework assignments will generally be due on Fridays.

20% Lab exercises: There will be approximately seven graded lab exersises due over the course of the semester. About half of these will be observational and the other half will be pen & paper and/or computer-based. It is important to keep in mind that more labs will be due near the end of the course than at the beginning. So the amount of work will increase over the course of the semester.

5% Pre-class surveys: There will be pre-lecture surveys on Blackboard for each reading assignment. These questions must be answered by midnight, the night before the lecture that the reading is listed as "due". The participation grade is determined by your response rate to these questions. Your answers will not be individually tracked, only whether or not you answered the questions.

15% for each of three exams: The exams will be take-home and open-book and will give you a choice of questions. They will not be cumulative.

Late work will only be accepted in serious circumstances: religious holiday, death in the family, illness. Otherwise, late work will be graded down.

Resources:

Your assigned discussion section and my office hours will be your primary resources for help in this class. The discussion board on the Blackboard site should be your go-to location to ask me specific questions about assignments and lectures outside of discussion section or office hours. I have set-up forums for questions that I will check at least once per day. If you email me with a question, please include "101" in the subject of your email, so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Honor Code:

The important guiding principle of academic honesty is that you must never represent the work of another as your own. Please request clarification of the following if you find yourself in any doubtful situations: Discussion and collaboration with other students on homework sets and labs is encouraged. However, all submitted work must be your own. While working together is permitted, merely copying the work of another student (whether a calculation or a sketch of a moon phase) without indicating that you have done so is clearly a representation of his or her work as your own and so is a violation of the code. You should always try all work by yourself before collaborating with classmates, posting questions on Blackboard, going to Blackboard to see the answers to other questions, or coming to discussion section.

Accomodations:

Students who think they may need accommodations in this course because of the impact of a disability are encouraged to meet with me privately early in the semester. Students should also contact Rick Webb, Coordinator, Office of Disabilities Services (rwebb@haverford.edu, 610-896-1290) to verify their eligibility for reasonable accommodations as soon as possible. Early contact will help to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and delays.