Honors Astronomy and Cosmology
Honors Astronomy and Cosmology
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Mr. Taylor
Fall 2022
Room: G235
Space
Space
Your Instructor:
· John Taylor, MEd.
· Email: John.Taylor@ucps.k12.nc.us
· Canvas: https://ucps.instructure.com
· Website: www.phystastical.com
· Twitter: @phystastical
· Office hours (formal): Monday after school, and by arrangement
Things you will need.
· Textbook. Our text is online: Astronomy (Openstax). https://openstax.org/details/books/astronomy
Astronomy, 2e
Openstax
Senior Contributing Authors
Andrew Fraknoi, Foothill College
David Morrison, NASA Ames Research Center
Sidney C. Wolff, National Optical Astronomy Observatory
Publish Date: October 13, 2016, with update January 28, 2022
· A simple composition book and 3 ring binder. The 50¢ Walmart comp book variety works well. Although, grids are nice. You will use this to write your book on Astronomy. These will also be your log books for the course.
· We will use Khan Academy at times. https://www.khanacademy.org The class code is 64VK9KRP
· During the semester, you will need to download certain app’s / programs onto your Chromebook, or bookmark certain browser sites. If you really enjoy observations or processing tri-color images, you may want to download these on your phones or computers.
o Stellarium (free): Do NOT go overboard. Bookmark: https://stellarium-web.org If you download, only download the basic package. BE CAREFUL to only use the stellarium site for downloads: https://stellarium.org
o Finderchart (free): Bookmark: https://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu/applications/finderchart
o DS9 Smithsonian (free): https://sites.google.com/cfa.harvard.edu/saoimageds9
o PhET (free): Bookmark: https://phet.colorado.edu/
Other websites we will reference:
o Apod (NASA image of the day): https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
o SOHO (NASA Space based solar observatory): https://soho.nascom.nasa.gov/
o Clear Dark Sky: http://www.cleardarksky.com/csk/
· We will also use Kahoot, EdPuzzle, PhETs and other online formative assessment and practice tools.
How you get your grade
Practice (class and online assignments) 20%
Observation handbook 25%
Labs 20%
Quizzes, Tests,* and Alternative assessments 25%
Special Project** Up to 15%
* Note: Students will be allowed a retake on a written test, by correcting the test they wish to retake, and explaining the correct and incorrect answers in writing. Retake must be within 2 weeks or within a grading period, whichever occurs first.
** Note: Special projects will be announced throughout the semester and will vary from 5 to 10 % of the Special Project grade. Students may complete multiples of these experiences, earning a maximum of 15%.
So, what will we cover this Fall?
So, what will we cover this Fall?
The Astro' course will focus on helping you develop these skills (not necessarily in this order):
1. Observations:
a. Using the eye, ground based telescopes (hands on), and archived images from major ground and space telescopes
b. Building telescopes – refractive and reflecting
c. Radio astronomy
d. Safely observing the sun
e. Visible Color Spectra
2. Scale, Navigation and Coordinate Systems
a. What is big, and what is small?
b. How to use the sky to find direction and tell time.
c. Magnitudes?
d. Guide stars and constellations
3. Imaging and Image Processing
a. Using (free) online tools the Pro’s use to do astronomy
b. Processing objects to see beyond the limits of the eye and discover the hidden
c. Constructing “magazine” images
4. Understanding our local star’s system
a. A tour of the space inside the Heliopause
b. A history of our understanding of planets and space
5. Understanding the Universe beyond our Solar System
a. Looking beyond the edge of the Solar System into deep space
b. Spectra
c. Types of stars – the HR Diagrams and main sequence stars
d. Variables, blackholes and other cool things in space
e. What is gravity? Dark Matter? Relativity?
f. Models of the Universe
6. The Motion of Objects in Space
a. The orbital motion of space satellites, and celestial bodies
b. Tidal forces
Images below...
Images below...
What an exciting time to be a high school student studying astronomy!
The largest space telescope ever, the James Web Telescope, is operating for the first time and seems to be doing fantastic work.
NASA and SpaceX both have rockets with capability to travel to the moon; both planned to fly this year.
The sun is in solar maximum, sending out large explosions from its side, hurtling material into deep space
DART will impact an asteroid, as part of a study to see how we could divert a rogue killer asteroid headed towards the Earth.
Marvin Ridge students are able to take a course in Astronomy and Cosmology ("Astro")!
Having taught for nearly 30 years, my goal is for each of you to have a fun, learning, relevant experience. Astronomy can be tricky, and will push you to grow, but our hard work will open the heavens to you. Before long, you will be finding planets in the sky and accessing and processing NASA image files of deep space objects to find hidden forming stars and planetary moons. We will use the textbook as reference tools to help clarify, but will take a logical route to uncover the course content above.
James Webb telescope is amazing everyone, with its quick and monumental imaging.(Image courtesy NASA.)
Race to the moon: The Artemis stands ready to deliver! Launch is set for August 29th!(Image courtesy NASA.)Side note: SpaceX's Starship is planned to lift off this fall.
NASA's DART mission will reach its target asteroid on September 26, this fall.(Image courtesy NASA.)
A recent look at the sun, shows the increase in activity, corresponding to our local star being in the most active part of its 12 year solar cycle.(Image courtesy NASA.)
My likes:
1. My family
2. Students who have developed a passion for learning
3. Students who can respectfully encourage others, and patiently help them learn something – whether it is amazing, or just tricky (like how to divide fractions).
4. When students are successful – and the light goes on.
5. Something science related that is just “mind blowing.” Especially related to space travel and astronomy
6. Experimental science – especially when students are doing it.
7. When students grow up – moving from older boy to young man, or older girl to young lady
8. Star Wars, pulled pork and wings
General Rules
1. You are responsible for procedures regarding discipline taught on a progressive scale in all classes prior to entering Mr. Taylor’s class.
2. Demonstrating good leadership skills will impress anyone, including Mr. Taylor.
3. When Absent: Please, check online first - Absent homework must be dated and labeled "ABSENT". Class periods to make-up work = Class periods missed. Late homework only collected for absences. Note: Finishing homework alone does not catch you up to the class!
4. Students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings, and should not line up at the door at the end of class. This is respectful behavior and demonstrates upper-class maturity.
5. Be considerate and respectful, as student activity is to add to a positive classroom environment.
6. Horseplay will result in immediate loss of lab privilege. Touch not – ask often.
7. Obtain Advisory Passes outside of class. Homework must be started to be admitted to success period.
8. *Cell phones and electronic devices are allowed for educational purposes. Texting is not educational. Mr. Taylor will let you know when it is appropriate.
9. Students are not allowed out of the class without a pass.
10. And, lastly, make sure homework has a name, date, and class period.
11. Classes will be turning in folders periodically to Mr. Taylor.
Other notes:
· There will be some Evening Sky Time. These are evening observations sessions run by Mr. Taylor, and by some of you. These are optional, as an opportunity to complete requirements and have fun. They will be announced in class and may be affected (cancelled) by weather. You will need to check website (www.phystastical.com) for status of observation. All students and family are welcome.
· There will be options for Special Projects. These can earn up to 15% - so this includes 5% to cover points missed elsewhere. Watch for these special opportunities
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