1/25/17 Astro 115: Introduction to Astronomy About Me My office is in Science 356 Best way to contact me is email jfielder@sfsu.edu put Astro 115-03 (for TTh) or Astro 115-05 (for MWF) in the subject line Office hours: MTWTh, 1-2PM My interests include astronomy and physics education, black hole mergers, and gravitational waves On your survey paper, take 3 minutes to answer the following: Now, introduce yourself to your neighbors and share your goals! 1. What s a goal you have for this class this semester? 2. What s a goal you have for your semester in general? 3. What excites you about astronomy? My Goals For This Class A Commonly Held, Incorrect Model of a Student s Conceptual Framework Help you develop: a basic understanding of the central ideas of astronomy an appreciation for the role astronomy has played in shaping the consciousness of the world in the past, at present, and its implications for what the future holds A sense of yourself as a critical thinker and scientist 1
A Commonly Held Incorrect Model of Teaching and Learning Why does the Sun rise and set every day? A. Because the Earth spins on its axis B. Because the Earth orbits the Sun C. Because the Sun spins on its axis D. Because the Sun orbits the Earth E. None of the above Administrative Stuff Enrollment Lab (Astro 116) can be taken now or later Textbook: 5 th, 6 th, or 7 th edition is ok! Optional FREE OpenStax book Lecture-tutorials: must be 3 rd edition, bring to EVERY CLASS Mastering Astronomy Course ID for 115-05: fielder05016 Course ID for 115-03: fielder73866 2-week free trial period Register now! If you are not registered by Feb 9, you will be dropped from the class. http://www.physics.sfsu.edu/~jfielder/11505s17.html http://www.physics.sfsu.edu/~jfielder/11503s17.html Etext, access code, free trial period for Mastering Astronomy Participation 15% of your final grade is class participation Short writing assignments Group activities Voting If you miss class, you cannot make up the participation credit (but each one is worth only 1% of your grade) 2
Homework About 1 assignment per week on Mastering Astronomy (due Fridays at 11:59PM) Problems based on reading/lecture Review questions from Lecture-Tutorials Working in groups is encouraged! Homework is 30% of your final grade (so each assignment is worth about 2%) Exams 3 midterms (15% each) and a final (25%) Lowest midterm score is dropped multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank Exam dates are not flexible DO NOT MISS EXAMS! THERE ARE NO MAKEUPS! Grades Homework 30% Participation (15 x 1% each) 15% Midterms (top 2 x 15% each) 30% Final Exam 25% A = 90-100% B = 75-89.9% C = 60-74.9% CR = 60-100% D = 45-59.9% NC < 59.9% F < 44.9% Syllabus Questions?! Bring signed Student Contract (last page of syllabus) to class on Tuesday.! Register for Mastering Astronomy as soon as possible. Laws, Theories, and Hypotheses What is the difference between a hypothesis, theory, and law? How do scientists use these words differently from the public? So what is Science? Questions Models Tests & Predictions Evaluation Building up to a set of rules: Laws or Theories 3
1/25/17 Finding your way around the sky Constellations Named groups of stars representing a story, animal, person Different cultures saw different patterns Sagittarius, the Centaur & Scorpius, the Scorpion Constellations Redefined 88 official constellations Familiar, useful patterns (but not constellations): asterisms Big Dipper Summer Triangle Orion s Belt Orion: The Hunter (Actual photograph) Finding the North Star 4
The Summer Triangle The Winter Hexagon Finding other bright stars using the Big Dipper Imagining a spinning Celestial Sphere surrounding Earth still aids in thinking about the position and motion of the sky Celestial Sphere vs. Horizon Demo Position Lecture Tutorial (pg. 1-2) Work with a partner or two Read the instructions and questions carefully. Discuss the concepts and your answers with one another. Take time to understand it now!!!! Come to a consensus answer you both agree on and write complete thoughts in your workbook. If you get stuck or are not sure of your answer, ask another group. If you get really stuck or don t understand what the Lecture Tutorial is asking, ask me for help. 5