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DESCRIPTIVE ASTRONOMY The Search for Life in the Universe Summer Semester, 1999
MTWR 10:30-12:20 Howell Hall 1201 |
| INSTRUCTOR | Dr. Weldon Wilson |
| OFFICE HOURS | MTWR 1:00-1:50 or by arrangement |
| OFFICE | Howell Hall 118 A11 |
| wwilson@ucok.edu | |
| TELEPHONE | 974-5470 |
| COURSE
DESCRIPTION |
Descriptive Astroomy is a beginning course in astronomy. Included are topics such as historical astronomy, laws of motion, gravitation, the nature of light, stars, H-R diagram, galaxies, the solar system, and cosmology with emphasis on why we believe what we think we know about the universe. An examination of the possibility of extraterrestrial life based on our knowledge of astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biology. Includes discussions of the search for extraterrestrial life and interstellar travel. This is an introduction to Life, the Universe, and Everything, with a lot of stress on the first part. We'll talk about how we, meaning our species, got here (star formation, planet formation, evolution, and history) and where and how we should look to find company (detection strategies and spaceflight). We'll be doing this as scientifically as possible, so don't expect too many good alien abduction stories. (Unless I get abducted between now and the final, in which case I'm willing to reconsider.) This course is designed to develop a scientific understanding of our home planet as a member of a diverse and fascinating family of objects in our universe. Discussion will center on how studies of other planets and satellites have broadened our knowledge and perspective of Earth, and vice versa. We will study, debate, and write critically about important issues of science, ethics, and public policy that have emerged from this newfound perspective. Topics to be discussed include global warming, nuclear winter, the impact threat, and the searches for extrasolar planets and extraterrestrial intelligence. Our exploration of these and other topics will be up-to-date, interactive, and quite possibly controversial. Fundamental question addressed by the class: Are we alone? Is there other life in the galaxy? And is it intelligent? The student will learn how we are just beginning to address this question and how improving technology allows us to replace much speculation and science fiction with a very few observations. The search for life may be an important goal throughout much of twenty first century science. |
| PREREQUISITES | This course is intended to be engaging and relevant to students across a wide range of disciplines. No specific math, physics, or chemistry background is required, although occasionally we will use basic equations or physical principles to illustrate points. The most important prerequisites are enthusiasm, good reading and writing skills, and a willingness to participate in class discussions. |
| TEXTBOOK | Astronomy; From the Earth to the Universe, 5th Ed., by J. Pasachoff, 1998, Saunders College Publishing (REQUIRED). |
| HOMEWORK | None except a daily reading assingment from the text. |
| OFFICE HOURS | Official hours are listed above, but I am usually around from 9 - 4 each day during the week whenever I am not teaching class. Please feel free to come by any time especially if you want to talk about physics or school. I would ask you, however, to avoid the hour just before class if at all possible. |
| "QUIZZES" | At the beginning and/or end of each lecture, there will be a brief "quiz" consisting of a single question or brief problem over recently covered material. You will be given about one minute to complete the "quiz". Then you will be given approximately two minutes to discuss the problem with some of your classmates and have the opportunity to change your answer. The "quiz" will then be collected and I will briefly discuss the correct solution. |
| EXAMS AND TESTS | Each regularly scheduled exam will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions similar to the sample test questions posted on this Web Site and those given in in-class "quizzes". (In fact they're some of the same questions). Memorize all 3000 questions and you will do well. All exams will be closed book and closed note.There will be two regularly scheduled exams: one two-hour midterm exam and a two-hour final exam given on the days indicated in the attached class schedule. Makeup exams will be short answer and essay questions. If you miss an exam for any reason you should contact your instructor as soon as possible to schedule a makeup at a mutually suitable time. |
| TERM PAPER | An optional term paper may be used to replace one of the exam scores if it is lower. The term paper guideline and suggested topics should be consulted if this option is chosen. |
|
GRADES |
In
general, grades will typically be class curved with a target class GPA
of ~2.8 but in no event will the curve be higher than the straight scale
curve shown below. While the target class grade distribution is typical,
it or may not be achieved in any given class in a particular semester and
is in no sense guaranteed.
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| STUDYING
ASTRONOMY |
You should expect to spend approximately one hour of outside class study for every hour in class. To assist you in your learning, a daily study assignment is given in the attached schedule. The indicated sections from your textbook should be skimmed prior to coming to lecture on the assigned date and then studied carefully after attending lecture. |
| SPECIAL NEEDS | Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accomodations in this class are encouraged to contact Equity Officer Brad Morellio at ext. 2573, or see me after class as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. |
| COMPUTER | Some computer access and the ability to refer to internet WEB pages is expected. The course web site is http://www.physucs.ucok.edu/~wwilson/PHY1304/. You are encouraged to contact your instructor by email for questions or any other reason any time at wwilson@ucok.edu. I generally check this about twice a day. |
| LECTURES |
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T-JUNE 8
W-JUNE 9
R-JUNE 10 |
1. Introduction, Scale of the Universe (Chapter 1)
2. Discussion: First Message to ET Intelligence 3. What is Life? Fundamental Properties. Habitable Zones
5. Early Astronomy (Sections Chapter 2)
7. Science and Pseudoscience
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T-JUNE 15
W-JUNE 16
R-JUNE 17 |
9. Light and Telescopes (Chapter 4)
10. Constellations and Celestial Coordinates (Sections (6.1 - 6.3) 11. Motions of Objects in the Sky, Calendars (Sections 6.4 - 6.7)
13. Discussion: To what extent do astonomical objects control
our lives?
15. Chance vs. Necessity: Was life a fluke?
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T-JUNE 22
W-JUNE 23
R-JUNE 24 |
17. Early evolution of Life
18. Discussion: Life's Effects on Earth: Gaia Hypothesis 19. The Moon (Chapter 9)
21. Extraterrestrial Life in the Solar System: Mars (Chapter 12)
23. Jupiter (Chapter 13)
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T-JUNE 29
W-JUNE 30
R-JULY 1 |
25. Life on Jupiter, Titan, or Europa?
26. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (Chapters 15, 16, 17) 27. Comets and the Origin of Life (Chapter 18)
29. Origin of Life (Section 20.1)
31. Searching for planets/signs of life in other systems (Section
20.2)
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T-JULY 6
W-JULY 7
R-JULY 8 |
NO CLASS - Indepedence Day Holiday!!
NO CLASS - Indepedence Day Holiday!! 31. Life Beyond the Solar System: Drake Equation (Section 20.3)
33. Discussion: Origins and future of human consciousness.
35. Discussion: Communication with ETI
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T-JULY 13
W-JULY 14
R-JULY 15 |
37. Discussion: What if SETI succeeds?
38. UFO's and the Scientific Method: Are we being visited? 39. Where are all the ETI?
41. The Sun (Chapter 21, 22)
43. Measuring the Distances to the Stars (Sections 24.1 - 24.3)
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T-JULY 20
W-JULY 21
R-JULY 22 |
45. Discussion: Interstellar Travel
46. The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram (Sections 24.4 - 24.5) 47. Doppler Shifts and Stellar Motion (Sections 24.6 - 24.7)
48. Birth of Stars and Stellar Evolution (Chapter 26)
53. Novae and Supernovae (Chapter 28)
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T-JULY 27
W-JULY 28
R-JULY 29 |
55. Black Holes (Chapter 30)
56. Structure of the Milky Way Galaxy (Chapter 31) 57. Interstellar Medium (Chapter 32)
59. The Expanding Universe (Chapter 34)
61. Cosmology (Chapter 36)
63. Life in the Universe-A philosophical perspective. |
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FINAL EXAM @ 10:30-12:30 |
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