Astronomy 104 Exploration of Our Solar System. Robert Mathieu Marta Sewilo

Astronomy 104Exploration of Our Solar System

Robert MathieuRobert Mathieu

Marta SewiloMarta Sewilo

Astronomy 104Astronomy 104Exploration of Our Solar SystemExploration of Our Solar System

• GoalsGoals

• To perceive the sky and the Solar System as a part of your To perceive the sky and the Solar System as a part of your environment to which you are connected – physically, environment to which you are connected – physically, historically, and culturally/personally.historically, and culturally/personally.

• To have a unified understanding of the evolution of the To have a unified understanding of the evolution of the Solar System and Earth’s place in the story.Solar System and Earth’s place in the story.

• To obtain a deep understanding of Newtonian laws of To obtain a deep understanding of Newtonian laws of motion and gravity.motion and gravity.


• GoalsGoals

• To obtain a modest understanding of the electromagnetic To obtain a modest understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and emission/absorption of light.spectrum and emission/absorption of light.

• To understand the energy sources of the Sun and the Solar To understand the energy sources of the Sun and the Solar System, and the Second Law of ThermodynamicsSystem, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

• To understand the scientific “way of knowing”, with an To understand the scientific “way of knowing”, with an emphasis on the role of uncertainty.emphasis on the role of uncertainty.


• TextbooksTextbooks• The Solar System: The Cosmic PerspectiveThe Solar System: The Cosmic Perspective

• University Book StoreUniversity Book Store • Discovering the CosmosDiscovering the Cosmos

• Bob’s Copy Shop, University SquareBob’s Copy Shop, University Square• On Reserve at HC White and Astronomy Library (Sterling, 6th floor)On Reserve at HC White and Astronomy Library (Sterling, 6th floor)

• WebsiteWebsite• www.astro.wisc.edu/astro104www.astro.wisc.edu/astro104

• PowerPoints from lecturesPowerPoints from lectures• Download handouts, assignments, etc.Download handouts, assignments, etc.• Fun linksFun links

• Discussion SectionsDiscussion Sections• Sections do not meet week of January 19!Sections do not meet week of January 19!

• CommunicationCommunication• Discussion SectionsDiscussion Sections• Office Hours - Office Hours - our doors are always open when we’re in!our doors are always open when we’re in!• E-mail and PhoneE-mail and Phone• Study GroupsStudy Groups

• MathMath• High school algebra/trig and geometryHigh school algebra/trig and geometry

• F = maF = ma• FFgg = GM = GM11MM22/R/R22

• R = d * sin R = d * sin • Scientific notationScientific notation

• 1,000,000 = 101,000,000 = 1066

• 0.0001 = 100.0001 = 10-4-4

• 101066 * 10 * 10-4-4 = 10 = 1022

• Tutorial information on scientific math at website or usTutorial information on scientific math at website or us


• AssignmentsAssignments• ReadingReading

• Emphasize what we cover in classesEmphasize what we cover in classes• HomeworksHomeworks

• Handed out on Wednesday, due next WednesdayHanded out on Wednesday, due next Wednesday• No extensions! (but lowest grade will be dropped)No extensions! (but lowest grade will be dropped)

• Observing LabsObserving Labs• Nighttime observing, at your convenienceNighttime observing, at your convenience

• PortfolioPortfolio• Still being developed …Still being developed …

• ExamsExams• 6- and 12-week, Final6- and 12-week, Final• Primarily multiple choicePrimarily multiple choice

• CollaborationCollaboration• Strongly encouraged!Strongly encouraged!• You must write up your assignments independently.You must write up your assignments independently.


• GradingGradingHomeworksHomeworks 80 pts80 ptsObservingObserving 5050PortfolioPortfolio 70706-week exam6-week exam 505012-week exam12-week exam 5050FinalFinal 100100

• Scale Scale not curved -everyone can earn an A!not curved -everyone can earn an A!AA 360-400360-400ABAB 350-359350-359BB 300-349300-349BCBC 290-299290-299CC 240-289240-289DD 200-239200-239FF < 200< 200

Half-grade discretion to reward positive performance and vice-versaHalf-grade discretion to reward positive performance and vice-versa


• ConcepTestsConcepTests

• Conceptual questions integrated into lecturesConceptual questions integrated into lectures

• I pose the questionI pose the question• You take 1-2 minutes to think about it individuallyYou take 1-2 minutes to think about it individually• You show me your answers with color-coded cardsYou show me your answers with color-coded cards• If concept is not well understood, you take 2-3 minutes to discuss If concept is not well understood, you take 2-3 minutes to discuss

your answers in groups of 3-4 neighbors.your answers in groups of 3-4 neighbors.• We all work toward consensus.We all work toward consensus.

• You learn significantly more than in standard 50 minute “sage-on-the-You learn significantly more than in standard 50 minute “sage-on-the-stage” lectures. stage” lectures.

• And ITS FUN!And ITS FUN!

If you are looking for a passive lecture experience, this is not the class to take!!If you are looking for a passive lecture experience, this is not the class to take!!


A set of four 3x5 cards is dealt on a table as shown above. Each card has a letter on one side and a number on the other.

The dealer proposes that these 4 cards satisfy the rule:

“If there is a vowel on one side of the card, then there is an odd number on the other.”

What is the smallest number of cards you have to turn over to be sure the rule is satisfied?

K 2A7ConcepTest!ConcepTest!

First Assignment!First Assignment!

• Go to www.astro.wisc.edu/astro104Go to www.astro.wisc.edu/astro104• Go to Flashcards linkGo to Flashcards link• Print out A-F and mount on 4x6 cardsPrint out A-F and mount on 4x6 cards• Extra credit if you show up in discussion section Extra credit if you show up in discussion section next week with your cards!next week with your cards!

• BRING TO EVERY LECTURE!!BRING TO EVERY LECTURE!!

Motions in the SkyMotions in the Sky

ConstellationsConstellations

Celestial SphereCelestial Sphere

Badge

ris

Time and SpaceTime and Spacein the Solar Systemin the Solar System

Horizon

Earth

UpNoon

Concept Test!Concept Test!H

oriz

on

Earth

A. MidnightB. 6:00 pmC. NoonD. 6:00 am

Midnight

Horizon

Earth

A. MidnightB. 6:00 pmC. NoonD. 6:00 am

6:00 pm

Concept Test!Concept Test!

Daily MotionDaily Motion

• Every celestial object - Every celestial object - Sun, Moon, planets, stars - Sun, Moon, planets, stars - appears to circle the Earth in appears to circle the Earth in

ONE DAYONE DAY

• Due to Earth rotating in one dayDue to Earth rotating in one day

Documents

Astronomy 104 Exploration of Our Solar System. Robert Mathieu Marta Sewilo