PHYS 1060, Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies

Fall 2021

MWF, 8:30 - 9:20     GRSC 324 (planetarium)        

Second meeting weekly R 8:00 - 11:00 pm at the observing site  up Mill Road

Instructor: Larry Smith     Office: GRSC 311    Phone: 283-7520     email: Larry.Smith@snow.edu      web: http://www.snow.edu/larrys          About Me

Invitation:  I invite you to come along on an exciting journey with me through the night sky and the universe.  We will witness some of the greatest beauties of nature and we will begin to understand how they work physically.  I also invite you to make the learning experience absolutely great by following the suggestions here.

Text:  Astronomy from OpenStax. Free in web view and PDF at  www.openstax.org/details/astronomy.  Can also be purchased in print format at snow.textbookx.com.  Print ISBN 1938168283, Digital ISBN 1947172247. 

http://snow.textbookx.com/institutional/index.php?action=browse#books/2417913/

The book Universe: The Definitive Visual Guide  published by Dorling Kindersly is also required. ISBN 13: 9781465499950

Buying a Planisphere is optional but a great idea. Smartphone apps, such as SkySafari, can also help you find your way around the sky.

Prerequisites and GE:  Math 850 or 1010 (Intermediate Algebra) or equivalent.   This class fulfills physical science GE, but not the science laboratory requirement.

Objectives:  Become acquainted with the night sky and appreciate the beauty of nature.  Understand the laws of science that govern heavenly bodies.  Learn how scientists think and work; learn how astronomers know things. Of course the real goal is to help you become a lifelong learner. You are responsible to acheive the Snow College Physical Science General Education Learning Outcomes and I'm responsible to help you. You are also responsible to achieve these natural science learning outcomes as well.  Introductory video.

Topics:  Origins of astronomy, astronomical tools, atoms and starlight, formation, structure, and death of stars, galaxies, cosmology.  Our guiding question will be “How do we know?”

Tools: You need a good calculator.  If you have access to binoculars that would be helpful as well.  A planisphere is optional. You will receive a Plickers card in class for use on the readiness quizzes.

Canvas: You need to pay regular (i.e., daily) attention to these tabs in Canvas: Assignments, Announcements, and Grades.

Expectations and How to Get Help: Please read A Better Learning Experience a couple of times throughout the semester.

Both asking and answering questions should prove you’ve delved deeply into the chapter material.   

If you are serious about this class a large portion of your learning will take place outside of class time.  You should plan on spending at least 2 hours in outside study for every hour in class.  You are encouraged to see me during my posted office hours (a.k.a. student contact hours) and at other times by appointment; you may also get help by messaging me in Canvas.  You should do your homework with friends in the math/science lab. 

Participation: Please participate actively in class; this means asking lots of questions (including the class question "How do we know?" often) and not using electronic devices during class time unless needed for a specific class activity. Earbuds are not allowed in class.

Policies: General policies on ADA, Title IX, FERPA, Triggers, and Academic Honesty are here.  Further elaboration on Academic Honesty is here.  If you have any questions, please ask, because you are responsible for the information in these policies.  It is considered academic dishonesty to copy problem solutions from sources on the web or solutions manuals.  It is considered academic dishonesty to turn in identical wording as your classmates. When learning is the goal there is no incentive to cheat.

COVID and Masks: I strongly recommend getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19; if you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask covering both mouth and nose to class and night observations.

Night Observations:  To fulfill the objectives of the course you will need to spend some time looking at the night sky, both with the naked eye and the aided eye.  You should attend as many night observations with the class as possible, so leave your late Thursday evenings open.

Homework:  Homework will be assigned from the questions at the end of each chapter (doing more than assigned can really aid understanding). You are encouraged to work together in groups, but please make sure you understand everything you turn in.  You must show work.  Homework is due at the end of the class period on announced due dates. Turn it in as typed text or a scanned file or picture in Canvas. Homework that is late for any reason other than a pre-approved legitimate excuse will lose 20% per day late. No late homework after Dec 3 will be accepted.                                Watch for possible other assignments posted in Canvas.

Quizzes: A short quiz at the beginning of each chapter will assess your prior reading diligence.  We will use free Plickers for this.

Tests: There will be a test after each unit (part). Preparation suggestions here.

Schedule:  The pace will average just barely more than one chapter per week.

The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, December 15, 7:00-9:00 am in our classroom.  It will be comprehensive.

Group Work: Much of our in-class time will be spent doing group work.  It is important that you come prepared each day or your group suffers with you.  Please read each chapter before it is discussed in class.

Grading:  Please select the grade you wish to receive and conduct yourself accordingly.   See letter grade task details here.

 

For a D do the following:

* Actively participate (this includes regular attendance).

* Subscribe to two astronomy podcasts.  Also subscribe to the EarthSky.org daily e-mail update.

* Watch one episode of astronomy videos from the library and turn in a one-page summary.

* Attend at least seven night observations.

* Demonstrate that you can identify at least three constellations in the night sky.

* Have a 60% or better overall on all homework, quizzes, tests and participation.

 

For a C do the following in addition to the above:

* Keep a regular sky journal.

* Write a short (one paragraph) report on each of two podcast episodes and an EarthSky update.

* Watch another episode of astronomy videos from the library and turn in a one-page summary.

* Attend at least eight night observations.

* Demonstrate that you can identify at least six constellations in the night sky.

* Have a 65% or better overall on all homework, quizzes, tests and participation.

 

For a B do the following in addition to all of the above:

* Read two articles from astronomy magazines and summarize them in Canvas.

* Write a letter about preserving dark skies to a politician or newspaper.

* Write a script for an astronomy podcast, like those on 365 Days of Astronomy.

* Watch another episode of astronomy videos from the library and turn in a one-page summary.

* Attend at least nine night observations.

* Demonstrate that you can identify at least nine constellations in the night sky.

* Have a 70% or better overall on all homework, quizzes, tests and participation.

 

For an A do the following in addition to all of the above:

* Write a 5-7 page term paper about some astronomical topic.  Include a poster for public display.

* Make an audio podcast of your astronomy podcast script.

* Watch another episode of astronomy videos from the library and turn in a one-page summary.

* Attend at least ten night observations.

* Demonstrate that you can identify at least twelve constellations in the night sky.

* Have a 75% or better overall on all homework, quizzes, tests and participation.

 

Details on the letter-grade tasks can be found here.

No grade can be earned without satisfactory completion of all the tasks for all lower grades.

 

Pluses and minuses from the straight letter grades may be awarded at the discretion of the instructor, pluses for stellar work, minuses for mediocre work.

 

 

The weightings for the categories for homework, quizzes, and tests are:

Homework                      25%

Quizzes                           25%

Tests                               25%

Participation/Attitude       5%

Final Exam                     20%