Transcript Syllabus Astronomy 1001

Astronomy 1001
Section 1
Syllabus
Astronomy 1001: Exploring the Universe
Section 1, Spring semester 2014
Prof. Roberta M. Humphreys, 358 Physics, tel. 624-6530
Lectures: 9:45 – 11:00 am on Tues., Thurs. in room 166 Physics.
Office hours: 11:00 – noon TTh
-- The hour before class is usually a bad time except for very
brief matters.
-- I will usually be in class at least 5 minutes before lecture and can stay
afterwards for several minutes. These are good times to take care of
most questions.
For routine questions about course material, please ask a TA first
(see below).
E-mail: [email protected]
Warning: Don’t rely on e-mail for important or urgent questions.
The inflow rate has become far too large.
TA office hours, in 451 Physics (for routine questions):
Hours will be posted on the doors outside rooms 450 and B49.
Textbook: Recommended Book – Discovering the Essential Universe by
Neil Comins.
Any recently published introductory astronomy text however will be
satisfactory. I recommend used and paperback copies for the best price.
Note that exams are based on my lectures. So attend class and take notes.
The textbook is useful for studying and review.
Web page for Ast 1001 http://www.astro.umn.edu/courses/1001/
Book for the lab exercises: Astronomy 1001/1011H Laboratory Manual 2013-14, a
local production available in the university bookstore.
Concerning the lab part of this course:
1. Labs are quite separate from the lectures.
2. Get a copy of the Astronomy 100/1011H1 Laboratory Manual 2013 – 2014,
at the university bookstore. Since this book is a local production, most other
stores won’t have it.
3. Important: Part of the lab course is an “observational project” concerning
the Moon. Read about it and start observing the Moon as soon as possible!
If you fall behind in this project, there honestly is no way to catch up.
( Note that the Moon is new on Jan 30 will not be visible. It will be in first quarter
on Feb 6 and visible in the early evening until midnight.)
4. A schedule for lab activities is appended to this syllabus.
Grading: Officially we use the following recipe for final scores and grades.
First mid-semester exam …
Second exam …
Final exam …
12 labs …
Observational project …
160 pts.16%
160 16 %
300 30 %
240 24 %
140 14 %
However, in effect the exams are even more important than these score-numbers
indicate, for a statistical reason that will be mentioned in class.
Grading will be based on a “modified curve”. Anyone earning 90% or better will
earn an A- or higher. 50% is required to pass (D or better) and 60% for a C- or
better. If you’re taking the course S/N, then a grade of ‘S’ will mean “C- or better
(60%).
Note: Furthermore, to get a passing grade you must earn 50% of the lab points
(120/240) and 50% of the Obs. project points (70/140) and take all 3 exams.
Exam dates: Dates for the two mid-semester exams have not been finalized yet
but they will most likely be Feb 27/Mar 4, when I have finished the solar system
and the week of April 7, when I have finished lecturing on stars. The correct dates
will be announced in class at least a week in advance. In each case the rooms
used for the exam will be announced in class.
The final will be given ; Thurs May 15, 8:00 am– 10:00 am, room TBD
Academic standards: The CLA and CSE scholastic conduct and classroom
procedures will be followed. You are responsible for knowing these, see the
university website. Students are welcome to work together, exchange ideas, etc.
But for the Observational Project you must do your own measurements and
calculations.
Exam procedures: Room assignments for the exams will be announced
beforehand in class, Bring two pencils and a photo ID to each exam! Exams may
include multiple-choice, short- answer, and essay questions. If you miss an
exam, see the professor.
All makeups are given on study day, Saturday May 10. Time and place to be
determined. Exam scores will be posted by your course and ID# on the web. If
you feel there’s a mistake on the multiple-choice part of an exam, please see the
secretary in the astronomy department office, 356 Physics. Questions about
essay questions should be directed to the professor.
Environmental theme: This course satisfies the “environmental theme” specified
on the university website. It introduces students to a wide range of topics,
including physical principles and not just astronomy. One goal is to show the
Earth in a broad context with a unique perspective on our home planet and its
environment in the universe. In this course we’ll see how science views and
interprets the physical world around us.
Ast 1001 Section 1 Professor Humphreys
Outline of Lectures
powerpoints will be posted at http://www.astro.umn.edu/courses/1001/
Week
Dates
Topic(s)
1
Jan 21, 23
Introduction
Historical Perspective
2
Jan 28,30
3
Feb 4,6,
4
Feb 11, 13
5
Feb 18,20
Jovian Planets and their satellites
Minor and dwarf planets, comets, meteors
6
Feb 25,27
Role of Impacts.
First Exam Feb 27 or Mar 4?
Appearance of the Night Sky, Motions of
the Earth and Moon
Text
Ch 1
Ch. 2
Ch.1, 2
Light, optics and telescopes
Ch. 3 pg 61-88
Formation of Solar System, Extrasolar planets Ch 2, pg 43-58
Terrestrial planets
Ch. 4, 5
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 6
Week
Dates
7
Mar 4,6
8
Mar 11,13
Mar 17 – 21
9
10
Mar 25,27
April 1,3
Topic(s)
The atom and spectroscopy
The Sun as a Star
Properties of the stars
Text
Ch. 3, pg 89-102
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Spring Break
Star formation, Stellar Evolution
Star Death - white dwarfs, supernovae,
neutron stars, black holes
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Second Exam -- week of April 7
11
12
13
14
15
April 8,10
April 15,17
April 22,24
April 29, May 1
May 6, 8
Second Exam? , Milky Way
Normal Galaxies
Galaxies and the distance - redshift relation
Origin, evolution, and fate of the Universe
Life in the Universe, (catch - up)
FINAL EXAM Sect 2 Friday, May 15 th, 8:00 – 10:00 am, room TBD
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 12
Ch. 13
Schedule for Labs Spring 2013 Ast 1001
Week of Jan 20
no lab meetings
Jan 27
Lab exercise D (Moon)
Feb 3
exercise A (Distances)
Feb 10
B (Kepler's Laws)
Feb 17
E (Telescopes)
first 3 Moon observations (Part I) due Feb 21, 5 pm
Feb 24
L (Impacts)
Mar 3
M or N (Life)
Mar 10
I ( Energy)
Mar 17
Spring Break
Mar 24
NO LAB
At least six new Moon observations (Part II) due Mar 28, 5 pm
Mar 31
F (Spectroscopy)
Apr 7
H (HR Diagram)
Apr 14
K (History of Matter)
Apr 21
J (Expansion of Universe)
Final Moon Obs project due April 25, 5 pm
Apr 28
G (Dark Matter)
May 5
NO LAB
Astronomy -- the study of the stars
The Sun and solar system
The Stars -- their birth and death
Galaxies and the Universe
In Astronomy we are concerned with origins and endings --Your concepts of space and time will be altered.
Time = Ages
Earth, Sun and Solar System --- 4.5 x 109 yrs
--- 10 x 109 yrs
Age of Galaxy (oldest stars) --- ~ 12 x 109 yrs
Solar Lifetime
Age of Universe (expansion age) --- ~ 13 x 109 yrs
Space = Distances
Earth – Moon --- 284,400 km ( 240,000 mi)
Earth – Sun
--- 150 x 106 km ( 93 million miles)
Solar System (to Pluto) --- 5.9 x 109 km (3.7 billion miles)
Nearest Star --- 4.3 light years ( ~ 41 x 1012 km )
Center of Galaxy --- 27,000 light years ( 256 x 1015 km)
Andromeda Galaxy --- 2.3 x 106 light yrs ( 22 x 1018 km )