Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
Robert Mathieu
Marta Sewilo
Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• Goals
• To perceive the sky and the Solar System as a part of your
environment to which you are connected – physically,
historically, and culturally/personally.
• To have a unified understanding of the evolution of the
Solar System and Earth’s place in the story.
• To obtain a deep understanding of Newtonian laws of
motion and gravity.
Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• Goals
• To obtain a modest understanding of the electromagnetic
spectrum and emission/absorption of light.
• To understand the energy sources of the Sun and the Solar
System, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
• To understand the scientific “way of knowing”, with an
emphasis on the role of uncertainty.
Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• Textbooks
• The Solar System: The Cosmic Perspective
• University Book Store
• Discovering the Cosmos
• Bob’s Copy Shop, University Square
• On Reserve at HC White and Astronomy Library (Sterling, 6th floor)
• Website
• www.astro.wisc.edu/astro104
• PowerPoints from lectures
• Download handouts, assignments, etc.
• Fun links
• Discussion Sections
• Sections do not meet week of January 19!
Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• Communication
• Discussion Sections
• Office Hours - our doors are always open when we’re in!
• E-mail and Phone
• Study Groups
• Math
• High school algebra/trig and geometry
• F = ma
• Fg = GM1M2/R2
• R = d * sin q
• Scientific notation
• 1,000,000 = 106
• 0.0001 = 10-4
• 106 * 10-4 = 102
• Tutorial information on scientific math at website or us
Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• Assignments
• Reading
• Emphasize what we cover in classes
• Homeworks
• Handed out on Wednesday, due next Wednesday
• No extensions! (but lowest grade will be dropped)
• Observing Labs
• Nighttime observing, at your convenience
• Portfolio
• Still being developed …
• Exams
• 6- and 12-week, Final
• Primarily multiple choice
• Collaboration
• Strongly encouraged!
• You must write up your assignments independently.
Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• Grading
Homeworks
Observing
Portfolio
6-week exam
12-week exam
Final
80 pts
50
70
50
50
100
• Scale not curved -everyone can earn an A!
A
AB
B
BC
C
D
F
360-400
350-359
300-349
290-299
240-289
200-239
< 200
Half-grade discretion to reward positive performance and vice-versa
Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• ConcepTests
• Conceptual questions integrated into lectures
•
•
•
•
I pose the question
You take 1-2 minutes to think about it individually
You show me your answers with color-coded cards
If concept is not well understood, you take 2-3 minutes to discuss
your answers in groups of 3-4 neighbors.
• We all work toward consensus.
• You learn significantly more than in standard 50 minute “sage-on-thestage” lectures.
• And ITS FUN!
If you are looking for a passive lecture experience, this is not the class to take!!
ConcepTest!
K 7 A 2
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?
First Assignment!
• Go to www.astro.wisc.edu/astro104
• Go to Flashcards link
• Print out A-F and mount on 4x6 cards
• Extra credit if you show up in discussion section
next week with your cards!
• BRING TO EVERY LECTURE!!
Motions in the Sky
Celestial Sphere
Constellations
Time and Space
in the Solar System
Noon
Earth
Up
Concept Test!
A.
B.
C.
D.
Midnight
Earth
Midnight
6:00 pm
Noon
6:00 am
Concept Test!
6:00 pm
Earth
A.
B.
C.
D.
Midnight
6:00 pm
Noon
6:00 am
Daily Motion
• Every celestial object Sun, Moon, planets, stars appears to circle the Earth in
ONE DAY
• Due to Earth rotating in one day