PHYS 1150   ASTRONOMY    Fall /2006

 

PHYS 1150   ASTRONOMY    Fall /2006

 

Instructor: Satoshi Hinata, Allison 208a

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Textbook: “Voyages through the Universe” by Fraknoi, Morrison and Wolf

Room: 236 Parker Hall

Time: 9:00AM-9:50AM

Objectives of the class

·  To learn the astronomical phenomena.

·  To understand the basic principles which govern astronomical phenomena.

·  To investigate an astronomical topic and present findings effectively.

Tentative List of Subjects with the Corresponding Chapters

Grading Guidelines

· Requirements (If you do not satisfy either of the requirements, you earn yourself an automatic F for the course)

1.        Attendance in the labs (you cannot miss 2 or more labs)

2.        Project (this replaces the final exam)

 ˆ Topics: Anything related to astronomy. (See the list for the potential topics. You are free to decide your topic outside those in the list).

 ˆ Format: A 15-minute PowerPoint presentation to the class (First page: Title and the Names who did the work; Last page: Two important questions)

 ˆ Use diagrams well, limit the use of sentences in the slides to minimum, try to expose ideas rather than array of facts.

ˆ At the presentation, the group must speak to the audience (avoid reading manuscript). Each group is evaluated as a group, not individually. So, it is a good idea to practice so that the presentation will be agreeable to all in the group.

 · Participation in the activities is an integral part of the class, and you will receive credit for your participation. If you miss an activity or a quiz for an acceptable reason, you may make them up by submitting the note with your name, date you missed, and the materials in support of your excuse.

· Astronomy web pages (Class): http://www.physics.auburn.edu/~hinata/astronomy/

· Astronomy web pages (Lab): http://www.physics.auburn.edu/~au_astro/

List of possible topics for your project

1.        Mercury, Venus & Mars

2.        Earth’s inner structure

3.        Earth’s magnetosphere, and Interaction of the Sun and the Earth

4.        Jupiter and Saturn

5.        Uranus, Neptune, & Pluto

6.        Comets & Asteroid

7.        Astrobiology (Life in an extreme environment),  and Search for extraterrestrials

8.        History of astronomical instruments

9.        Ancient astronomy

Important Dates

1. Register for the project: September 22.
2. Submission of the project (PowerPoint file in the final form): November 17.  
3. Presentations: November  29, December 1,and 4.
4. Test on the projects: December 6.