ASTR 330: The Solar System
Lecture 1:
Introduction to Course
Dates and Times
Curriculum
Rules
Grading
Discussion
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
About Me
• Class Instructor: Dr Conor Nixon
• Office: CSS 0225 (Old Building)
• Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-3 pm
• Phone: (UMD)
301-405-1521
(NASA) 301-286-6757
• E-mail: nixon@astro.umd.edu
• I am a planetary scientist in the Astronomy Department of the
University of Maryland.
• I work at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on the Cassini mission to
Saturn, conducting research into planetary atmospheres.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
More Introductions…
• Class Teaching Assistant: KwangHo Park
• Office: CSS 0224 (Old Building)
• Hours: TBD
• Phone: (UMD)
301-405-1551
• E-mail: kpark@astro.umd.edu
• KwangHo is a graduate student in the Department of
Astronomy.
• His research is based around numerical modelling of
cosmological properties.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
About you…
• Who are you:
- Computer Scientists?
- Humanities?
- Social Scientists?
- Other?
• Please fill out the yellow forms about yourselves and return
by start of next class.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
The Course
• This
is a fun course!
• In this class, you will learn more about the most exciting
aspects of planetary and space sciences, in a mostly nonmathematical framework!
• Pre-requisites: ASTR 100 or ASTR 101
and CORE Distributive Studies Requirement
in Mathematics and Sciences.
• The course is designed for juniors and seniors who are not
majoring in the physical sciences.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Learning Objectives
•
During this semester, we will try to answer fundamental
questions about the Solar System, including
1.
2.
3.
4.
How did the solar system form?
What types of objects are in the Solar System?
How have the planets evolved since formation?
What causes the planets to differ from one another
and the Earth?
5. Is ours the only Solar System, or are there other
planetary systems around other stars?
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Fields of Study
• Our inquiry will include many different disciplines:
• Astronomy – measuring the positions, movements,
sizes and distances to planets, moons, stars etc.
• Physics – including heat and light (radiation), gravity
and orbits.
• Chemistry – reaction processes which occur in
planetary atmospheres and rocks.
• Geology – types of Moon rocks and meteorites; and
surfaces terrains of planets and moons, including
erosion, weathering, and cratering.
• History – who discovered what when, and how has our
view evolved over time?
• and more: meteorology, biology …
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
We will encounter strange places…
• Diverse new worlds with:
Fiery volcanos
Colliding sheets of ice
Massive storm systems
Huge craters
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
We will encounter famous people…
• Great figures from history:
Archimedes
Galileo
Newton
Einstein
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Information sources
• Class text: The Planetary System (3rd Edition) by Morrison and Owen
• Class web-site: http://www.astro.umd.edu/~nixon/ASTR330fall06
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Work Expectations
• Lectures – you should attend all lectures!
• The lectures will contain important additional information not found
in the book.
• Lectures will also disseminate homeworks, updates on date
changes (if any) and hints for exam subjects!
• Textbook – read the textbook before and after class!
• The book contains additional information not found in the lectures.
• Read before class to gain an appreciation of the forthcoming
material.
• Read after each class to reinforce learning.
• Let me know ASAP about supply problems.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Work Strategies
• Use the internet as a valuable learning resource, but never copy
directly from a web site, and add a reference to ones you source facts
from.
• The class textbook is your primary text, but you should also read
around the subject matter: in other textbooks, popular science books,
and astronomy magazines. Always reference these sources.
• Studying together and discussing class material, ideas and
assignments with classmates is good practice. However, when you come
to actually write the assignment, it should be 100% your own work.
• You should aim to keep up with the class pace. If you find yourself
falling behind the schedule, come and discuss your problems with me
earlier rather than later.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Dates and Classes
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Date
(Tuesdays)
5-Sep
12-Sep
19-Sep
26-Sep
3-Oct
10-Oct
17-Oct
24-Oct
31-Oct
7-Nov
14-Nov
21-Nov
28-Nov
5-Dec
12-Dec
19-Dec
Subject
Historical Perspective
Properties of the Planets
Solar Sytem Formation
Meteorites II
Comets
The Moon
Venus
Mars I
Jupiter and Saturn
EXAM 2
Large Satellites II
Rings
Extrasolar Planets
Life and Astrobiology
Planetary Mission Game
FINAL EXAM 1:30-3:30
Book Ref
Date
(Thursdays)
31-Aug
1
7-Sep
3
14-Sep
4
21-Sep
4
28-Sep
6
5-Oct
7
12-Oct
9
19-Oct
11
26-Oct
13
2-Nov
7-11, 13-14
9-Nov
15
16-Nov
16
23-Nov
18
30-Nov
12 & 18
7-Dec
Subject
Introduction
The Sun
Planetary Astronomy
Meteorites I
Asteroids
EXAM 1
The Moon and Mercury
Earth
Mars II
Neptune, Uranus and Pluto
Large Satellites I
Small Satellites
THANKSGIVING
Planetary System Formation
Planetary Missions
Book Ref
2
3
4
5
1 to 6
8
10
11
14
15
16
17
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Homework Assignments
• There will be six homework assignments:
• HW1: distributed September 5th, collected September 12th.
• HW2: distributed September 19th, collected September 26th.
• HW3: distributed October 10th, collected October 17th.
• HW4: distributed October 24th, collected October 31st.
• HW5: distributed November 14th, collected November 21st.
• HW6: distributed November 28th, collected December 5th.
• Each assignment will contribute 5% of the total grade.
• Homeworks must be handed in on or before the collection date, or will
not be considered for credit, unless you have documented evidence of
serious and prolonged illness.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Homework Protocol
• Please type (preferred) or write your homeworks neatly, and hand to
me in class. Add sketch diagrams where appropriate.
• I strongly prefer hard-copies (paper), with the date and signature of the
student. I will also accept e-mailed assignments (plain text only) only if
the deadline is imminent and you cannot make the next class.
• Use your own words. Copying verbatim from a book, copying from a
friend, or allowing others to copy from you is academic dishonesty and
will be referred to the University authorities.
• If you use any sources other than the course textbook, including web
sites, add an acknowledgement in your writing. Short quotes from
historical figures may be surrounded in double quotes, but these should
be used sparingly.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Exams
• There will be 2 mid-term exams and 1 final exam.
• Mid-term exams (75 mins): each will contribute 20%
of the total course grade. The first mid-term will examine
all material from the beginning of the course to date, and
the second mid-term will examine material learned after
the first exam. Consisting of mostly essay questions and
some short-answer questions.
• Final exam (120 mins): is 30% of the total course
grade. Will examine all material from the whole course.
The final exam will include problem-solving questions as
well as essays.
Exams will cover material from BOTH lectures AND textbook.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Exam details
• Dates, times and places:
• Mid-term 1: Thursday October 5th, 12:30-1:45 pm, Room CSS 2428
• Mid-term 2: Tuesday November 7th, 12:30-1:45 pm, Room CSS 2428.
• Final exam: Tuesday December 19th, 1:30-3:30 pm, Room CSS 2428.
• Make-up exams:
Make-ups will only be permitted in extreme circumstances, such as
serious illness or death in the family. You should contact me (phone
message or e-mail) before the exam is missed giving your reason,
and then submit a written excuse with documentation immediately
upon your return to normal classes.
• Inform me ASAP if religious observance conflicts with exam dates.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Exam conduct
• Closed-book, no notes or calculators allowed.
• Bring your own pens and pencils and ruler. Don’t use
correction fluid.
• No talking or other communicating between students once
the papers are distributed until they are collected.
• Cheating will be not be tolerated. If you are seen/heard to
be cheating you may be asked to leave the exam room, and
the case immediately referred to the Head of Classes in the
Astronomy Department. You will lose all credit for the exam
and your case may be referred to the University level.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Get Creative!
• You are encouraged to write a semester paper on any topic
relating to the class syllabus, for extra credit of 0-5%. Your
overall grade cannot exceed 100%!
• The topic should be chosen, and approved by me by
November 14th, and the finished paper submitted by
December 5th. Non-approved or late submissions will not be
considered.
• The paper should conform to: less than 1000 words or 4
text pages, but up to 2 additional pages for figures and
diagrams is allowed. You are unlikely to gain any credit for
figures or diagrams which you did not draw yourself.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Scoring The Extra-Credit Paper
• The paper will be scored 0-50, with 50 points
corresponding to 5 additional percent added to your final
grade, subject to the 100% limit.
• The scoring is as follows:
• 0-10 for choice of subject matter, including originality,
• 0-30 for content, and
• 0-10 for style, including language and presentation;
for a total possible 50.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Credit Summary
300 = 30% Homeworks
200 = 20%
200 = 20%
Mid-term Exam 1
Mid-term Exam 2
300 = 30% Final Exam
----------
1000 =100%
Total
(50 = 5% Optional Extra Credit Paper)
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Grading
• I will use a standard system of assigning letter grades:
GRADE
A
B
C
D
F
PERCENTAGE
90-100%
80-89%
68-79%
55-67%
0-54%
• Everyone can do well: if everyone scores over 80% in the course, then
everyone gets a B or A.
• I may make some adjustment to the % needed to attain a particular
grade based on class averages, but only to make it easier to attain a
particular grade, not harder.
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Academic Honesty
• Academic dishonesty includes:
CHEATING – “intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized
materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise”.
FABRICATION – “intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention
of any information or citation in an academic exercise”.
FACILITATING – “intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to
help another to violate any provision of this Code”.
PLAGIARISM – “intentionally or knowingly representing the words or
ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise”.
• Anedotes
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Honor Pledge
• The Honor Pledge is a statement undergraduate and
graduate students are asked to write by hand and sign on
examinations, papers, and other academic assignments not
specifically exempted by the instructor.
• The Pledge reads:
“I pledge on my honor that I have not given or
received any unauthorized assistance on this
assignment/examination.”
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Introductory discussion
• Form groups of 3-4 with your neighbors and
consider the following questions (5 minutes):
• How many planets are there in the solar
system?
• Which was the last to be discovered, by
whom and when?
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Introductory discussion
• Did you say:
• Pluto? (Clyde Tombaugh, 1930)
• Neptune? (Adams/Le Verrier, 1846)
• UB 313 “Xena”?
(Brown/Trujillo/Rabinowitz, 2003)
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006
ASTR 330: The Solar System
Introductory discussion
• Is the number of planets, or the
definition of a planet, an important
question, or a semantic distraction
from real science?
Dr Conor Nixon Fall 2006