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Last Updated: August 31, 2007 4:18 PM
Schedule
- Week of Friday, August 25th -- Course Introduction
- Day 1 (Activity Schedule)
- Distribution of syllabus
- Introduction to course
- HW: Get your syllabus signed and attempt to install Starry Night on your home computer
- Day 1 (Activity Schedule)
- Week of Monday, August 28th -- Introduction to Solar System; Units & Size Scales
- Day 1
- Visit the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD)
- Introduction to the Solar System - Sun, Planets, Dwarf-Planets, Satellites, Small Solar System Bodies
- HW: HW Sheet 1.1 on objects in the solar system
- You may find Mike Brown's explanation helpful. He is an astronomer at CalTech who discovered 2003 UB313.
- Read (only about 8pgs) -- Ch, 1-5,1-6 & 1-7 (pp. 6-12) with special attention to Box 1-1 (pp. 8-9) & Box 1-3 (pp. 13-14)
- Day 2
- APOD
- Units, Conversions, & Powers of 10
- Angular Size & Small Angle Formula
- No HW tonight, but if you didn't get a chance, look over Box 1-1
- Day 3
- APOD
- Finish Units, Conversions, & Powers of 10
- Finish Angular Size & Small Angle Formula
- Scales
- HW: Finish the 5 Problems on Handouts in Class
- the 2nd & 3rd problems on the back of the "Powers of 10, Units, & Conversions" sheet, the last one on the "Small Angle Formula" sheet, and the 4th one on the "Scale Sizes" sheet
- You do not have to do the last three on the "Size Scales" handout (the ones on Betelgeuse). We will be doing that in class tomorrow
- I'll come around and check that all the problems are done on your sheets except the 3 mentioned above
- Day 4
- APOD
- Finish Scales & Units
- HW: Study for Quiz 1.1. Study the materials and handouts from this week on
- "new" solar system;
- Units, Conversions, & Powers of 10
- Angular Size & Small Angle Formula
- Scales
- You won't need to memorize conversion factors or constants.
- Some practice problems
- Week of Monday, September 4 -- The Sky: Appearance & Motion
- Day 1 (Activity Schedule)
- APOD
- Quiz1.1 -- On Units, Conversions, Powers of 10, Angular Size, & Small Angle Formula
- HW: Bring your book and Star Wheel to class tomorrow
- Day 2 (Activity Schedule)
- APOD
- The Celestial Sphere; Ecliptic; Diurnal Motion;
- Introduction: Using a Star Wheel
- HW: Finish Star Wheel handout (if you didn't in class) & work on this sheet, Star Wheel HW
- Day 3 (Activity Schedule)
- APOD
- The Celestial Sphere; Motion of the Sky
- Internet HW: Read about Daylight Savings Time (DST)
- Observing HW: Try to make some observations using your Star Wheel - here's a helpful website
- Week of Monday, September 11 -- The Sky: Appearance & Motion
- Day 1
- APOD
- Horizon & Latitude; East-West & North-South Handout
- HW: HW sheet on East-West & North-South Horizons
- Reading HW: Universe pp22-31; understand figures 2-4, 2-5, 2-12, 2-13, 2-14, 2-15, 2-16 (I don't require that you read all of this, but do take a look at the figures)
- Day 2
- APOD
- Annual Motion & The Seasons; Equinoxes & Solstices - Handout
- HW: Bring Starry Night CD to class tomorrow; HW Sheet on Annual Motion ... sorry for the delays - technical difficulties
- Day 3 - We'll be back in Alpha-Lab today and probably tomorrow in order to do our first lab
- APOD
- Lab 1 - The Solar Analemma using Starry Night
- HW: Finish the homework from last night. Make corrections to your Quiz 1.1
- Day 4
- APOD
- QUIZ CANCELED! - due to unforseen circumstances surrounding our move back to alpha-lab
- We'll go over the HW I didn't collect on Day 3
- Finish Solar Analemma Lab from yesterday
- HW: Finish lab if you haven't. Study for Quiz on Monday. Bring your star wheel to class for the quiz.
- Week of Monday, September 18 -- The Sky: Appearance & Motion
- Day 1
- We're back in Beta Lab - the computers are working
- APOD
- Quiz 2.1 on The Appearance & Motion of the Sky. Bring your star wheel.
- HW: Lab 01 - Solar Analemma Due Tomorrow. Email me your copy
- Day 2
- APOD
- Turn in Lab 01
- Go over Quiz 2.1
- Celestial Sphere - Right Ascension (RA) & Declination (DEC)
- Take a look at these brief articles on Right Ascension (RA) and Declination (DEC) and be able to answer the following questions:
- 1) What are brief definitions of right ascension & declination?
- 2) What are the units for right ascension & declination?
- 3) How are right ascension & declination different from altitude & azimuth
- Starry Night in-class exercise on RA & DEC
- HW: Quiz corrections due tomorrow
- Day 3
- APOD
- Continue work on RA & DEC
- Begin Lab 02 - Mapping the Constellations - due before class on Day 3 of next week
- HW: Finish any late homeworks, quiz corrections, and assignments
- tomorrow is the last day to turn them in!
- Continue working on Lab 02
- Day 4
- APOD
- Continue working on Lab 02 - due before class on Day 4 of next week
- HW: Appearance & Motion of the Sky - Review Sheet (Due Day 2 of next week) - don't wait to start this until Monday. It's 6 pages long and may require asking some questions
- Observing the Sky - A helpful link if you want some review & practice
- Continue working on Lab 02
- Day 1
- We're back in Beta Lab - the computers are working
- Week of Monday, September 25 -- Motion & Phases of the Moon
- All this week we will be looking at material from Chapter 3 of Universe. Refer there for helpful diagrams and figures
- Day 1
- APOD
- The Orbit & Rotation of the Moon
- The Phases of the Moon - in-class handout
- HW: HW Sheet - Phases of the Moon
- Check out this site if you need some review - phases of the moon java animation
- Continue working on Appearance & Motion of the Sky - Review Sheet (Due Day 3)
- Continue working on Lab 02 (Due Day 4)
- Day 2
- APOD
- Finish Phases of the Moon
- Lunar & Solar Eclipses - in-class handout
- Use Starry Night to see the March 29, 2006 total solar eclipse from Antalya, Turkey
- Use Starry Night to see some lunar eclipses of your choice: check here for dates & locations
- HW: Finish Appearance & Motion of the Sky - Review Sheet (Due Day 3), Continue working on Lab 02 (Due Day 4), Study for quiz
- Day 3
- APOD
- Due today: Appearance & Motion of the Sky - Review Sheet (posted on Day 4 last week)
- Quiz 2.2 B - Phases of the Moon
- HW: Finish Lab 02, due Day 4
- Day 4
- I'll be gone on retreat
- APOD
- Finish Lab 02 - Mapping the Constellations - email it to me by the end of class
- HW: Study for Quiz on Monday
- Week of Monday, October 2nd -- Motion of the Planets
- All this week we will be looking at material from Chapter 4 of Universe. Refer there for helpful diagrams and figures
- Day 1
- APOD
- Quiz 2.2 - Phases & Motion of the Moon; Eclipses
- HW: Read and Understand Figures 4-2, 4-3, 4-5, 4-6
- Check out these Flash animations for help:
- retrograde motion of Mars (2005)
- retrograde motion - geocentric model
- retrograde motion - heliocentric model
- Day 2
- APOD
- Nobel Prize awarded today to cosmologists - check out the article on CNN
- Direct & Retrograde Motion
- Inferior & Superior Planets; Opposition & Conjunction
- Begin Lab 03 - Retrograde Motion of Mars
- HW: Ch. 4: 7, 8, 29; Continue working on Lab 03
- Find out if you can come to Dr. Filippenko's talk on Dark Energy tomorrow evening
- Day 3
- APOD
- Survey of Astronomers and confirmation of heliocentric model
- HW:
Come to Dr. Filippenko's talk on Dark Energy at Foothill College
- Finish Lab 03
- Day 4
- APOD
- Lab 03 Due (I'll accept it tomorrow without penalty)
- Check out this site on Kepler's Laws
- Worksheet on Kepler's Laws - in-class
- HW: Finish Lab 03 and email it to me by the end of the day tomorrow
- Continue working on Worksheet on Kepler's Laws from class (Due Day 2 next week)
- wikipedia's article on ellipses has good images and diagrams
- also, check out the article on Kepler's Laws, especially if your math-savy and want to see some derivations
- check out these figures in the book for clarification: Fig 4-10 & 4-1
- Continue working on Worksheet on Kepler's Laws from class (Due Day 2 next week)
- Week of Monday, October 9 -- Kepler's Laws
- All this week we will continue working on Kepler's Laws, so check out Universe, Ch 4, pp. 70-73
- Day 1
- APOD
- Kepler's Laws
- Begin Lab 04 - The Orbit of Mercury
- HW: Finish Worksheet on Kepler's Laws (handed out Day 4 last week) and due Day 2 this week
- Finish worksheet on Kepler's Laws (handed out last week Day 4)
- Begin Review Sheet on Motion of the Planets (not to be turned in but strongly suggested that you complete it)
- Day 2
- APOD
- Due today: Worksheet on Kepler's Laws
- Continue Kepler's Laws
- HW:
Continue Working on Lab 04
- Continue Working on Review Sheet
- Day 3
- APOD
- Continue Kepler's Laws
- Continue working on Lab 04
- HW: Finish Lab 04
- Ch. 4: #15, 16, 33, 36
- Day 4
- APOD
- Due today: Lab 04 - The Orbit of Mercury (you may email me this tomorrow by the end of the day without penalty)
- Finish Kepler's Laws
- Review for Midterm
- HW: Study for Midterm using previous quizzes, tests, and review sheets; here's a partial key for the review sheet
- BRING YOUR STARWHEEL ON MONDAY
- Week of Monday, October 16 -- Midterm Week
- Day 1
- BRING YOUR STARWHEEL
- Midterm
- HW: enjoy the break! Any and all latework must be turned in on Monday, partial credit depends on which assignment is late and how late it is. This includes any missing labs. Anything not turned in on Monday will have a grade of 0.
- Day 2
- No class
- Day 3
- No class
- Day 4
- No class
- Day 1
- Week of Monday, October 23 -- Newtonian Gravity
- All this week we will study Newtonian Gravity and Newton's form of Kepler's Laws, so check out Universe, Ch 4, pp. 76-83
- Day 1
- APOD
- Handout in Class
- Newton's Laws of Motion
- Newtonian Gravity
- Newton's form of Kepler's 3rd Law
- HW: Finish the back of the handout from class - you don't need to do the last question. We'll discuss it tomorrow.
- starting working on Midterm corrections (due Day 3)
- Day 2
- APOD
- Newtonian Gravity & Orbits - Flash Demo
- More with Newton's Form of Kepler's 3rd Law
- HW: Finish the HW sheet - give an exemplary response to the last question
- Day 3
- APOD
- Midterm corrections due today
- Begin Lab 05 - Moons of Jupiter
- HW: Finish corrections to your midterm and turn it in tomorrow; Continue working on Lab 05
- Day 4
- APOD
- Due today: Midterm Corrections
- Continue working on Lab 05
- HW: Finish Io Worksheet on Lab 05
- we'll start parts II, III, and IV on Monday
- Try to make a Moon Observation (remember that it sets early, right after the Sun)
- Get started on the HW Sheet (Due day 2 next week)
- Week of Monday, October 30 -- The Solar System
- This week we will begin our study of the solar system. See chapter 7 of Universe
- Day 1
- APOD
- Due today: Io Worksheet. I'll come around to check that you have completed it.
- Finish Observations of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto on CLEA
- Check out this map of the Moon - remember that we'll only see half of this at 1st quarter
- Also, use Starry Night to zoom in on the Moon as it appears tonight at 7:00pm
- HW: Finish HW Sheet on Newtonian Gravity (handed out Day 4 of last week)
- Continue working on Lab 05
- If you want to take data at home, download the CLEA Lab here: Project CLEA Homepage - Click on "Software" and then "The Revolution of the Moons of Jupiter"
- 7:00 PM: STAR PARTY TONIGHT...IS CANCELED :-( too cloudy - we'll try either later this week or early next
- Day 2
- APOD
- Due today: HW Sheet on Newtonian Gravity (handed out Day 4 of last week)
- Continue making observations of Jupiter's moons on CLEA
- Download the CLEA Lab here: Project CLEA Homepage - Click on "Software" and then "The Revolution of the Moons of Jupiter"
- HW: Moon Observations Due Day 4
- Day 3
- APOD
- Introduction to the Solar System
- In-class: Observing with Celestia
- When you are finished with the Inner planets, save it and email it to me
- HW: Moon Observations Due Tomorrow; Study for Quiz
- APOD
- Moon Observations are Due
- Quiz 3.1
- Continue working on Lab 05 - Due next week
- HW: Continue working on Lab 05: I'll check on Monday to see that you have finished Io and Europa and are almost done with Ganymede
- Also, now that you understand Newtonian gravity, try explaining to someone in your family why astronauts "float in space" - see how well they understand your explanation and how well you can answer their questions
- Try making a moon observation
- Week of Monday, November 6 -- The Solar System
- Inner Planets
- This week we will continue our study of the solar system
- Day 1
- Chapter 9 of Universe
- APOD
- Lab 05 check (Lab 05 will be due Day 4)
- Earth
- HW: Quiz Corrections (due Day 3); Continue working on Lab 05 (due Day 4)
- Day 2
- Chapter 9 Universe
- APOD
- Earth
- HW: Finish Quiz Corrections; Continue working on Lab 05; Get started on tomorrow's homework if you are bored
- Here's information that Ella sent me on the transit of Mercury tomorrow - http://www.exploratorium.edu/transit/how.html
- Day 3
- Chapter 9 of Universe
- APOD
- Earth
- Quiz corrections due
- HW: Ch. 9, #s 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18
- APOD
- Moon Observations are Due
- Due today: Lab 05 - Moons of Jupiter
- The Moon
- HW: Study for Quiz on Earth & Moon: study your notes from the lectures on Earth & Moon
- there will be a question related to the lab like there was on the last quiz - make sure you understand it
- Week of Monday, November 13 -- The Solar System
- This week we will continue our study of the solar system, particularly the inner planets
- Day 1 - Chapter 11 of Universe
- APOD
- Quiz 4.1 - Earth & Moon
- Mercury
- HW: Take a break - try to make a moon observation - best to look in the morning
- Day 2 - Chapter 11 Universe
- APOD
- Mercury
- Check out these Animations from the Messenger Homepage
- HW: HW Sheet - Mercury
- read this article from the NY Times on impact craters on Earth
- Day 3 - Chapter 12 Universe
- APOD
- Venus
- general surface flyover - craters, volcanoes, plains (look for the "tick")
- volcanoes flyover (different types of volcanoes)
- craters & volcanoes flyover
- artimes chasm - a huge rift in the southern hemisphere along a "dome," 1600 miles in diameter
- runaway greenhouse effect
- HW: Quiz Corrections; Review the "Key ideas" at the ends of Chapters 11 (Mercury) and 12 (Venus)
- Day 4
- Chapter 13 of Universe
- APOD
- Moon Observations are Due
- Mars
- HW: Start studying for the quiz - here are some practice problems; also, check out the reviews of the "Key Ideas" at the end of the chapters
- Week of Monday, November 20 -- The Solar System
- Week of Monday, November 27 -- The Solar System
- This week we will continue our study of the solar system, particularly the Jovian planets
- Day 1 - Chapter 14 of Universe
- APOD
- Jupiter & Saturn
- HW: HW Sheet - Jupiter & Saturn (Due Day 3); Work on Quiz Corrections (Due Day 4)
- Day 2 - Chapter 14 & 15 of Universe
- APOD
- Moons of Jupiter
- Celestia - Observe the Moons
- Take a picture of Io and save it
- helpful for taking notes
- HW: Finish HW on Jupiter & Saturn; Work on Quiz Corrections; Make a Moon Observation
- Day 3 - Chapter 14 & 15 of Universe
- APOD
- Moons & Rings of Saturn
- Helpful for taking notes
- Check out the Cassini-Huygens Homepage for updates and new cool pictures
- Check out the view from Huygens as it plunges into Titan
- HW: HW Sheet - Moons & Rings of Jupiter & Saturn; Finish All Quiz Corrections
- Observation Attempt Tonight: 6:00 pm at the flagpole (Bring your Moon Observation Sheet and your Star Wheel)
- Check website by 5:15 pm for possible cancellation
- Day 4 - Chapter 14 & 15 of Universe
- APOD
- Moon Observations are Due
- Quiz Corrections are Due
- Finish Rings of Saturn
- Uranus
- HW: Study for Quiz. There is a link on my homepage to the lectures on the planets. The ones you need for the quiz on Monday are posted. I'll put the others up before the final exam.
- Note on Moon Observations: Next week is the last week for moon observations. There are a total of five, and you are permitted 1 excuse, after which failing to turn in an observation earns a grade of 0/10. If you choose to turn in all 5, I will drop your lowest or give you another 10/10, whichever helps your grade more. Email me if you have any questions.
- Week of Monday, December 4 -- The Solar System
- This week we will continue our study of the solar system
- Day 1
- APOD
- Quiz 4.3 - Jupiter & Saturn
- HW: HW Sheet - Uranus & Neptune (due Day 3)
- Day 2 - Chapter 16 & 17 of Universe
- APOD
- Neptune
- Dwarf Planets
- HW: Finish HW Sheet - Uranus & Neptune; HW Sheet - Dwarf Planets
- Day 3 - Chapter 17 of Universe
- APOD
- Small Solar System Bodies (comets, asteroids, etc.)
- HW: Study for Quiz, which will NOT include small solar system bodies (we'll finish them tomorrow and include them on the exam) ; HW Sheet - Dwarf Planets (posted yesterday)
- Day 4
- APOD
- Makeup/Bonus Moon Observations are Due
- Quiz 4.4 - Uranus, Neptune, Dwarf Planets,
Small Solar System Bodies - HW: HW Sheet - Small Solar System Bodies; Finish any missing work
- Week of Monday, December 11 -- The Solar System
- Day 1 (Activity Schedule)
- APOD
- Lab 06 - Kepler's 3rd Law & The Titius-Bode Rule
- HW: Work on Lab 06
- Day 2 (Activity Schedule)
- APOD
- Lab 06
- HW: Study for Final Exam
- Day 3
(Activity Schedule)
- APOD
- Lab 06 Due Today
- Final Exam Review
- HW: Study for Final Exam: Study Guide
- Day 4 - No Class
- Day 1 (Activity Schedule)
- Week of Monday, December 18 -- FINAL EXAMS
- Day 1 - 8:30 in the Beta Lab
- FINAL EXAM
- Day 2 - No Class
- Day 1 - 8:30 in the Beta Lab