ASTR 1110
Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System
BESC 185
M-F 11:00-12:35
Summer, 2004
Co-Instructors:
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Andrew Steffl
Office: Duane D119
Phone: 303.492.3617
E-mail: steffl@colorado.edu
Office Hours: Monday 2-3
Tuesday 9-10
Thursday 3-4
or by appointment
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Greg Herczeg
Office: JILA A506A
Phone: 303.492.0389
E-mail: gregoryh@colorado.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 1:30-2:30
Wednesday 9-10
Thursday 2-3
or by appointment
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Note: Some links (exams, answers) no
longer work.
Welcome to Astronomy 1110: The Solar System. In this
class, we will study planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. The objects in
our solar system are amazingly varied, ranging for sizzling hot (Venus),
to icy cold (Pluto), from tenuous enough to float on water (Saturn), to virtual
wrecking-balls of iron (Mercury). However, we can gain an understanding of
them all with some basic physics, chemistry and geology (and with a pinch
of biology thrown in for flavor).
We are also looking to teach you about science (which plays
a key role in our society, yet is generally poorly understood), critical
thinking, persuasive writing and how to learn on your own. While we won't
spend a lot of time talking about these topics, they are built into the work
you'll be doing this term. Try to be aware of these goals as well as the
nominal course material.
The course will be co-taught by Andrew
and Greg. Each class will include a lecture for 50 minutes or so, and group
work to be turned in during class.
Required Text:
This course will use The Cosmic Perspective, 3rd edition.
Make sure you use the third edition, as there have been significant
changes since previous editions. The book's webpage includes many tools
and questions that can aid in your understanding of the subject. You can
access the webpage using the code on the inner cover of your book.
We will post your reading assignment and a brief outline
of the material covered each day. We expect you to read the assigned material
before class. Please do so, it will significantly improve your understanding
of the material covered. In addition, the assigned readings go into more
detail than we will during lecture. You
are responsible for knowing the material covered in the readings, even if
it is not covered directly in the lectures.
Grading for this course will be weighted
as follows:
20% Daily in-class
assignments / Class participation: 1% per day, Drop 3
20% Homework:
5 homework assignments, 4% each
5% SBO Observing
Night
5% Essay (updated 6/21):
One essay
30% 4 quizzes:
10% each, drop the lowest score
20% Final Exam (July 2)
During every class, you will be given a question or problem
to discuss and work on in groups of 3-4. These assignments are due at the
end of class. You will be able to drop 3 in-class assignments.
We will have 5 homeworks, due the first Friday of class and
then every Wednesday after that. Homeworks are due at the beginning of
class, and will not be accepted late. You will not be able to drop a
homework.
We will have 3 observing nights scheduled on scheduled
through the term (see below) . You will need to attend
at least one. In case one of the scheduled observing nights is cancelled
due to weather, an alternate observing night will be scheduled on Thursday,
June 24. Observing nights will begin at
9:30pm. Plan on spending an hour observing. If it is raining or completely
overcast, we cannot observe that night. Note, Colorado has lots of micro-climates.
If you are outside of Boulder, the weather at your location may not be the
same as the weather at the observatory. If you are unsure, you can call the
observatory at 303-492-2020 after 9:10 pm.
There will one essay, 3-4 pages long, typed, double-spaced, 12 point
font, due on Thursday, June 24. We will discuss the essay early in
the term. Please do not plagiarize.
We will have a quiz every Friday. The quizzes are designed
to be 20-30 minutes long and will cover material from that week's lectures
and reading assignments. The lowest quiz score will be dropped. If
you are forced to miss a quiz and tell us in advance, you have the
option of taking an oral quiz with Andrew or Greg. This option may
only be used once.
The Final exam will be given in class on Friday, July 2.
The final exam will be comprehensive and will resemble a longer version of
the weekly quizzes. You MUST take the final at this time, and we will
make no exceptions.
Students with disabilities:
We would like to accomodate you as best we can. If you have,
or think you have, a learning disability, please see Andrew or Greg as soon
as possible, and we can make the necessary arrangements. Please also be aware
that Disability Services
may be a valuable resource for you.
Absences
The course is short, and we only have 24 class periods. Every
class period, we will have an in-class assignment, and we will allow you
to drop three. Class attendance is strongly encouraged, but not required.
If you are planning to be absent for a class, please let us know in advance.
If you have a personal emergency, please let us know as soon as you can.
Cheating and Plagiarism:
Unfortunately, at times we have to deal with cheating and
plagiarism. If you cheat or plagiarize, you can expect to receive a 0 on
the assignment and your case will be referred to the Honor Council.
You are encouraged to work in small groups on homework
and other assignments. However, the work you turn in needs to be your own,
in your own words, and represent
your understanding of the material. It's surprisingly easy to catch cheaters
on homeworks. With on-line tools, we can also detect whether you have plagiarized
in your essay. Don't do it. If you are uncertain about whether something
constitutes cheating or plagiarism, please ask, and err on the side of caution.
Course Schedule:
| Date |
Material |
Reading |
Notes |
| 1 June |
Course Introduction, What is science?
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1.1-1.4,3.5-3.6
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HW1 assigned
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| 2 June |
Motions of the Earth
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2.1-2.4, S1.3- S1.5
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| 3 June |
Motions of the Moon
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2.5-2.6, 3.1-3.4
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| 4 June |
Introduction
to gravity, forces, and energy
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Ch. 4
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HW1 due, HW2 assigned, Quiz 1
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| 7 June |
Gravity, forces, and energy
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Ch. 5
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Last day to drop course
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| 8 June |
Light |
Ch. 6
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| 9 June |
The Big Bang to star formation
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23.1-23.3,23.5
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HW2 due, SBO night |
| 10 June |
Big Bang and
Introduction to the Solar System
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8.1-8.3
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| 11 June |
Planet Formation
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9.1-9.5
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HW3 assigned, Quiz 2
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| 14 June |
Planet Formation cont./ Planetary surfaces and interiors I
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Ch. 10
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SBO night
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| 15 June |
Planetarium Show: Cosmic Collisions
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13.6
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| 16 June |
Planetary surfaces and interiors II
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14.1-14.2
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HW3 due |
| 17 June |
Atmospheres I
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11.1-11.5
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| 18 June |
Atmospheres II |
11.6, 14.3,14.4,14.6
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HW4 assigned, Quiz 3
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| 21 June |
The outer planets
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12.1-12.4
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| 22 June |
Moons
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12.5-12.6
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SBO night |
| 23 June |
Solar system leftovers (asteroids, comets, and KBOs)
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13.1-13.5
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HW4 due |
| 24 June |
The Sun
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Ch. 15, 17.3
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Essays due
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| 25 June |
NASA Missions
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Ch. 7, 8.4
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HW5 assigned, Quiz 4
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| 28 June |
Extra-solar planets
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9.6, 17.2
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| 29 June |
Astrobiology
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14.5, 24.1-24.4 required
24.5-24.6 are optional
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| 30 June |
Special Topics
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HW5 due |
| 1 July |
Review and course wrap-up
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| 2 July |
Final Exam
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Good luck! |
Last Modified: Thursday, 27-May-2004