115week1S17 - SFSU Physics & Astronomyjfielder/115week1slides.pdf1/25/17 3 Homework • About 1...
Transcript of 115week1S17 - SFSU Physics & Astronomyjfielder/115week1slides.pdf1/25/17 3 Homework • About 1...
1/25/17
1
Astro 115: Introduction to Astronomy
About Me • My office is in Science 356 • Best way to contact me is email
– [email protected] – 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: 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?
Now, introduce yourself to your neighbors and share your goals!
My Goals For This Class
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
A Commonly Held, Incorrect Model of a Student’s Conceptual Framework
1/25/17
2
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: 5th, 6th, or 7th edition is ok! • Optional FREE OpenStax book • Lecture-tutorials: must be 3rd 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)
1/25/17
3
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
1/25/17
4
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
1/25/17
5
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.