Astronomy 315

1
Welcome

• Astronomy 315
• Professor Lee Carkner
• Lecture 1

2
Questions to Consider

• Am I in the right place?
• Astronomy 315 Stars, Nebulae and Galaxies
• Do I have the right stuff?
• Astronomy Today, Chaisson and McMillan (4th
  Edition)
• Star and Planet Locator
• Calculator
• WebAssign card

3
Things to Know

• Professor
• Dr. Lee Carkner
• Office Hours
• M W F 1-2 pm
• Science 208
• Places
• We will normally meet in Science 102
• Some classes we will meet in the planetarium
  (like this Friday)
• We will have evening observing sessions in the
  observatory

4
How Does the Class Work?

• Read the book material before class
• Do the online homework via WebAssign
• Come to class
• Do the in-class activities
• Go out and make the assigned observations and
  turn them in by the due date
• Come to the observing sessions when announced
• Three quizzes and a final

5
Web Page

• http//helios.augustana.edu/lc/as315/intro.html
• Outline gives readings and lecture topics
• Lectures posted online before class
• Download and print out before class
• Fill in blank areas during class
• Outline will be updated and modified as the class
  goes on
• Web page will also list observing sessions

6
WebAssign

• Homework is due every class day
• Go to webassign.net/student.html
• Click on student login
• Username firstnamelastname
• e.g. johnsmith
• Institution augustana
• Password Your Augustana ID number
• You can change the password after you login
• If you have used webassign before you may still
  have our old password
• You will have to register using a WebAssign card
  purchased at the Runestone bookstore

7
WebAssign Homework

• Once logged in you will see a list of assignments
• Click on the current assignment
• For Wednesday it is 2historyoftheuniverse
• Be sure you have done the reading first
• Answer all questions and click submit
• You only get one submission so be sure you are
  ready to answer all questions before you start

8
Grading

• Three Quizzes -- 45 (15 each)
• Observing -- 10
• In Class Activities -- 15
• Homework 10
• Final -- 20

9
Guidelines for Work Handed In

• Written answers must be in complete sentences
• Numbers must have units
• Answers must reasonable
• If not reasonable, explain why
• All work must be neat and easily readable
• Explain all work!

10
Survey

• Please fill out the front page with information
  about your background
• Answer the questions as best you can on the back
  page
• Survey is optional
• But please put your name on it for attendance
• Information will be used to help improve the
  course

11
Why is Astronomy Unique?

• How is astronomy different from all other
  sciences?
• Astronomy is almost entirely observational
• Very few hands-on experiments you can do
• Exceptions meteors, probes to other planets
• Everything we know about the universe outside the
  solar system comes from observation
• Observation forms the foundation for astronomy

12
Observing

• How does the Observing Project work?
• Make several copies of the blank observing forms
• Go outside on a clear night and sketch and label
  the required constellations
• Answer the questions on a separate sheet
• Come to the observing sessions and sketch the
  objects through the telescope
• This class requires you to do work at night both
  on your own and in groups at the times announced
  in class!!

13
How to Observe

• Face a cardinal point (N, S, E, W)
• The semi-circle represents the half of the
  celestial dome in front of you
• Draw each star as a dot
• Size proportional to brightness
• Draw to scale
• Label and include comments!
• For telescope views, draw what is in the eyepiece

14
Observing Tips

• Take advantage of clear nights
• Use resources to help find things
• Star and Planet Locator
• Sky maps in back of book
• planetarium software
• Make many copies of observing form and do a first
  practice sketch
• Draw only what you can see
• Do not cheat!

15
Next Time

• Read Chapter 2.1-2.4
• Do WebAssign homework
• Observe if clear!