Astronomy 51: Introduction to Astronomy

Fall term 2006, Instructor: Francis Wilkin

tentative Syllabus | Labs | Textbook webpage | APOD | Union College Observatory

Midterm Exam: Wednesday Oct 11 (in class)

Final exam: Thursday Nov 16 at 1pm

Are all students in Astro 51 receiving my emails? If not, please inform me.

Announcements:

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Week 4:

Sept 30: Observatory Open House (7-9pm) on the roof of Olin. (Go to room 301, then up the stairs)

Friday Sept 29: Special observatory session for Astronomy class! 9-10 pm (Olin 301)

Lecture Wednesday Sept 29: The Sun, continued

Lecture Wednesday Sept 27: Chapter 11: The Sun, Our Star

Lecture Monday Sept 25: Spectra, Doppler effect, Telescopes (Ch 4);

See the animation (textbook web page) on the Doppler effect which is very informative!

When will you first see the moon this week? Look low in the West after sunset starting monday (hard) or tuesday.  

Quiz Monday Sept 25 on Chapter 3: Light and Atoms

Please check the textbook web site astronomy interactives (Bohr model, escape velocity)
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Week 3:
Office hours this week: M, W 11-12; fri 11-11:45; Also MWF after class until 4:30, and by appointment
Sept 23: Autumn begins in the northern hemisphere.
Monday's hw: Begin reading Chapter 3 on Light and Atoms.
Quiz #2 monday Sept 18 on chapter 2. Includes a calculation relating to measuring mass using gravity and circular orbits.
Review concepts relating to Newton's laws, gravity and motion.
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Week 2:
Friday's Homework for chapter 2:
Questions for review: 1, 2, 4,7,8; Thought questions: 2, 3
Problems: 1, 8, 10; Test yourself: 2,3, 4, 5
Friday Sept 15: The moon is further north than any planet will be in the 21st century!
Homework for day 3: Read chapter 2 on Newton's laws and gravity. We'll continue on this topic next time.
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Week 1:
Homework for day 2: from the Preview: questions for Review 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and Problems 1, 2, 6, 7. This is suggested homework which will not be collected, but it is a good way to prepare for the quiz on monday and to check your understanding.
Thursday Sept 7th: largest full moon of 2006.
Homework for day 1: read Arny, the Preview and the Appendix.
First quiz will be monday Sept 11.
Labs begin in week 2!
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What's up in the sky now? Check here.

Do not look at the sun with your spectroscope!!!! It does not provide protection. If you want to know the sun's spectrum, you can simply look at blue sky, well away from the sun, or look at the moon at night, which reflects the sun's spectrum. Is the spectrum of blue sky continous?

Note on labs 2-4: We will be outside at a place that's pretty windy, so dress warm! Bring whatever you think is enough, then grab an EXTRA sweater, you may need it!!! Don't forget to bring your star and planet locator for lab 2.

Check out the spectacular Astronomy Picture of the Day!

Pictures presented in class: (If I get around to it, I'll list them here)