Class meets: MWF 12:10-1:00 PM in Science 201
Office: Thorton 313 (behind Thorton 314)
Office Hours: MW 2:00-3:30 PM
Email: jfielder'@'stars.sfsu.edu (Remove quotes from "at" symbol, and include "Astro 115" in subject line)
Physics and Astronomy Department Plagiarism Policy
Final Exam: Friday, Dec. 21 10:45 AM - 1:15 PM in Science 201 (Bring a pencil, 882-E Scantron form, and a calculator)
Extra Credit options for this course (Due by Fri. Dec 14)
Final Exam Review Sheet: Web or PDF
Homework #5, Due Wednesday December 12: Web or PDF
Midterm #2 Review Sheet: Web or PDF
Homework #4, Due Friday November 16: Web or PDF
Homework #3, Due Monday October 29: Web or PDF
Midterm #1 Review Sheet: Web or PDF
Homework #2, Due Monday October 8: Web or PDF
Homework #1, Due Monday September 17: Web or PDF
12/17/07:
Today we reviewed some of the most-requested topics for the final exam. I also talked a bit about using the rotating sky, lunar phases, and seasons demos from NAAP. I will be having regular office hours this afternoon and on Wednesday from 2-3:30 PM. Check out the review sheets in the above section for details on the final, feel free to email me questions, and good luck on your other final exams!
12/14/07:
Today we finished talking about life in the universe and our chances for communicating with any intelligent life. The question is complex, and right now the best we can do is make estimates about the numbers and processes involved and how nessecary they are. The last of the late homework and extra credit assignments were collected, and on Monday we will be reviewing material for the final exam. Bring your questions!
12/12/07:
Today we started talking about life in the universe, and our search for said life. We talked about habitable planets and haibtable zones, what types of stars would be good for supporting life, and what sorts of things we know about life on Earth that can help us figure out where to look for similar life elsewhere in the universe. On Friday we will finish by discussing the SETI research project and begin reviewing material for the final exam. I have old homework assignments in my office, feel free to come get your old homeworks so you can use them to study for the final! The last homework was due today, and if you have any late homework or extra credit write-ups I need those by the end of class on Friday. Next week I will be holding my regular office hours on Monday and Wednesday. See the Final Review sheet for details on the final exam.
12/10/07:
Today we went over the properties of the Jovian planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. We talked about why these planets formed much further from the Sun than the terrestrial planets, why they are mostly made up of lighter elements such as hydrogen, helium, and hydrogen compounds, how they get their distinctive colors, and why these planets are more likely to have lots of moons and ring systems. If you would like to learn more about the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its moon Titan, check out the NASA mission page. On Wednesday and Friday we will be talking about life in the universe and then reviewing for the final exam.
Optional reading for next time: Chapter 20
12/07/07:
We finished covering terrestrial planets today by talking about Earth and its moon. Specifically, we looked at the basic structure of the Earth, the characteristics of its interior, and the various processes it uses to renew the surface (plate tectonics, volcanoes, and erosion). We also looked at some of the different theories that try to explain how we got such a large Moon, compared to other moons of terrestrial planets. Next week we will continue with Jovian planets. On Monday there will be another special lecture in Thorton 411 at 4PM.
Reading for next time: Sections 18.3 through 18.6
12/05/07:
Today we started going over the terrestrial planets, beginning with Mercury, Venus, and Mars. On Friday we will continue with Earth and the Moon, and get started on the Jovian planets if we have time. We also continued our discussion of dwarf planets and covered the new official definition of a planet from the IAU. I also showed several images of the planets' orbits from Solar System Live. If you're interested in looking at maps of the surface of the Moon and Mars, check out Google Mars and Google Moon for some nifty maps and other information.
Reading for next time: Sections 17.2, 17.3, 18.1, and 18.2
12/03/07:
We looked more at extrasolar planets today, focusing mainly on how they are detected. I talked a bit about one multiple-planet system of 5 planets orbiting the star 55 Cancri. If you would like to know more about the search for extrasolar planets, the California & Carnegie Planet Search website has lots of information, including the official announcement of 55 Cancri as a five-planet system. I also showed a couple of demos in class, one depicting a transiting planet and another depicting planet detection via the Doppler Method. We got a start on our overview of the solar system, talking about the different classes of planets. On Wednesday we will continue talking about terrestrial (rocky) planets. If you're looking for a good extra credit talk, there will be one this afternoon in Science 210 at 4PM, given by Timothy Ferris.
Reading for next time: Sections 17.4, 17.5, and 17.6
11/30/07:
Today in class we finished up talking about cosmology and the eventual fate of the universe. We also started looking at extrasolar planets in preparation for looking at planets in our own solar system. On Monday we will begin by learning how planets around other stars are detected and what we can learn about them. We will be skipping most of Chapter 16 and doing a quick run-through of the planets in the solar system. Your book covers the planets in more detail that we will need to cover for the final exam. On Monday afternoon, the Physics and Astronomy department is hosting a talk by Timothy Ferris at 4PM in Science 210 (the room is down the hall and around the corner from our classroom). This is a good chance to earn some extra credit and hear a presentation from someone reknowned for his efforts in communicating science and astronomy to the general public.
Reading for next time: Sections 16.4, 17.1, and 17.2
11/26/07:
The last homework assignment is posted above, it is a little shorter than the previous assignments and will be due the Wednesday before finals. If you are intending to do an extra credit activity, there are a few good lectures coming up, but keep in mind that I need any extra credit writeups by Friday Dec. 14. Today in class we discussed methods used to measure the masses of galaxies and the detection of dark matter in galaxies and galaxy clusters. We also started Chapter 15, looking at the universe as a whole. I went over Oblers's paradox and the expansion of the universe. Next time we will try to finish up Chapter 15.
Reading for next time: Sections 15.2, 15.3, and 16.4
11/16/07:
Homework #4 was due today, and in lecture we talked more about galaxies, specifically covering the Hubble Law and how it is used to compare the distance and velocities of galaxies. We also got a short intro to Dark Matter, and how the masses of galaxies are measured. After the break I will post the new homework assignment, and we will continue with galaxies and cosmology.
Reading for Monday, 11/26: Sections 15.1 and 15.2
11/14/07:
The second midterm was handed back today in class, and I went over the questions that were most often answered incorrectly. We started Chapter 13, which deals with galaxies in general. We talked about the Hubble classification system, which organizes galaxies based on their shape or morphology, and how it was first determined that galaxies are actually large collections of stars well outside the Milky Way galaxy. We are running a little bit behind schedule, so I have changed the homework assignment slightly the last problem from Chapter 13 is no longer due with this assignment. The link to Homework #4 above has been updated to reflect those changes.
Reading for next time: Sections 13.2 and 13.3
11/09/07:
Today we continued talking about the Milky Way galaxy, and finished up Chapter 12. Monday is a holiday, so our next class meeting will be Wednesday. I will have the second midterm scored by that time, and we will start Chapter 13, which deals with other galaxies. If you would like to watch the movie from lecture today showing the stars orbiting the black hole at the center of the Milky Way, follow this link.
Reading for Wednesday: Sections 13.1 and 13.2
11/07/07:
Midterm #2. On Friday we will continue with Chapter 12 and possibly start Chapter 13.
Reading for next time: Sections 12.3 and 12.4
11/05/07:
Today we reviewed Chapters 5-10 for the exam on Wednesday. Make sure you bring an 882-E Scantron form, a pencil, and a calculator for the test. The homework solutions and review sheets posted are posted in the section above.
11/02/07:
Today we did a mini-review of the life cycles of main sequence stars by watching the progress of four hypothetical stars with different masses. We also started Chapter 12, which deals with the Milky Way galaxy, the galaxy our solar system resides in. The second midterm is coming up next week. The review sheet is posted in the Homework and Handouts section above, and on Monday I will review Chapters 5-10. The test covers a lot of material, so I will not be doing a very in-depth review. Think of it as a chance to refresh your memory, and bring your questions!
Reading for Monday: Review CH 5-CH 10
10/31/07:
We finished up discussing neutron stars and black holes today, and went over the observational evidence we have for such objects. On Friday we will begin Chapter 12. The next homework assignment is now posted above. It is due a bit sooner than usual, so that you guys won't have homework over the Thanksgiving holiday. The second midterm is coming up in one week, so on Monday I will review for the exam.
Reading for next time: Sections 12.1 and 12.2
10/29/07:
Today we talked about observations of supernovae and started talking about neutron stars and black holes. Homework #3 is due today by 3:30 PM in my office (TH 313). There will be an opportunity to earn extra credit this afternoon by attending a special talk in Thorton 411 at 3:45 PM. See the Extra Credit link above for details on how to earn extra credit.
Reading for next time: Pulsars (11.1), 11.2, and 12.1
10/24/07:
We finished up talking about the process of star formation today, and went over the different types of fusion that can happen in stars. We also discussed how stars are held up by the balanced forces of self-gravity and thermal pressure. I will not be here on Friday, Dr. Chris McCarthy will be guest-lecturing on the end of Chapter 9 and the beginning of Chapter 10.
Reading for next time: Sections 9.4, 10.1, and 10.2
10/22/07:
Today we began Chapter 9, which covers the process of star formation and the interstellar medium (ISM). We talked about the different types of nebulae, the properties of the ISM, and the beginning of the star formation process.
Reading for next time: Sections 9.2 and 9.3
10/19/07:
We finished up Chapter 8 today and looked at an NAAP Demo on eclipsing binaries. Next week we will start Chapter 9. Monday is the last day to select the Credit/No Credit grading option. I announced a way to earn some extra credit for this class, see the linked page for details.
Reading for next time: Section 9.1
10/17/07:
Today we learned about the Hertzspurng-Russel diagram (or HR diagram for short), and how a star's luminosity, temperature, and radius are all related. We also went over the different kinds of binary stars and looked briefly at how we can estimate a binary star's mass by studying its orbit. On Friday we will finish up Chapter 8 and do some examples problems on stellar masses.
Reading for next time: Sections 8.4 and 8.5
10/15/07:
We began chapter 8 today by talking about measuring distances to stars using the parallax method. We also discussed the difference between apparent magnitudes and absolute magnitudes, and the relationship between distance, luminosity, and brightness. On Wednesday we will continue with the HR diagram and other properties of stars.
Reading for next time: Sections 8.3, 8.4, and 8.5
10/12/07:
Today we talked about the Sun's interior and how the Sun produces energy through nuclear fusion. We watched a short movie of the proton-proton chain which can be found here, and looked at an applet demonstrating fusion which can be found here (click on "Fusion in the Sun"). We also talked about neutrinos, the solar neutrino problem, and how it was resolved. On Monday we will start chapter 8. The solutions to the second homework assignment are now posted above.
Reading for next time: Sections 8.1 and 8.2
10/10/07:
We started chapter 7 in class today, which we are covering slightly out of order. We looked at the outer layers of the Sun (section 7.1) and the various types of solar activity, including sunspots (section 7.3). On Friday we will cover section 7.2, which deals with the Sun's interior and nuclear fusion. If you would like to pick up your scantron from the midterm, please stop by my office.
Reading for next time: Sections 7.2 and 8.1
Midterm Update
I recollected the scantrons to check the key, since many people seemed to have a correct answer marked incorrect. There did turn out to be a problem with the key for Version A, so only those students were affected. There were two questions with the wrong answer marked on the key, so the most anyone's grade changed was by two points. I have corrected the scores on the scantrons and in my gradebook. If you would like to know if your score changed please email me (remember, only Version A changed). If you would like to look over your exam in more detail or go over answers you got wrong, feel free to come in during office hours.
10/08/07:
Today I handed back the midterms and the first homework assignment. The second homework assignment is due by 3:30PM this afternoon. Homework #3 is now posted above in the homework section. We finished talking about Doppler shift, so on Wednesday we will begin Chapter 7. I will be lecturing on the sections slightly out of order. We will begin with 7.1, then do 7.3 and finish with 7.2.
Reading for next time: Sections 7.1 and 7.3
10/05/07:
We covered material from section 6.2 in class: spectroscopy, Kirchhoff's laws, and how the spectral features of a star can tell us about the star's temperature. The second homework assignment is due on Monday. I will pass back the first homework assignment and the midterm scores in class on Monday as well.
Reading for next time: Sections 6.3, 7.1 and 7.2
10/03/07:
Today we took Midterm #1 in class. I will continue lecturing on the material in Chapter 6 (atoms and spectroscopy) on Friday. I should have the midterms graded in time for Monday's class.
Reading for next time: Sections 6.2-6.3
10/01/07:
Today we reviewed for the midterm exam, which is on Wednesday. I didn't have time to cover everything, but we did go over the phases of the moon, retrograde and prograde motion, Newton's laws of motion and gravity, and kepler's laws of motion. Follow this link to get to the main page for the online demos I use in class.
9/28/07:
Today we went over the structure of matter and atoms, the phases of matter, electron energy levels, and the different kinds of spectra. We looked at the NAAP Hydrogen Atom Simulator. I also handed out a review sheet with the major topics to be covered on the midterm, which you can find posted above in the Homework and Handouts section. On Monday I will do an in-class review, but you should start studying this weekend so you can come to class with any questions on Monday. I would recommend becoming familiar with any vocabulary words you don't yet understand, studying the diagrams from your textbook, and starting the problems from Chapter 3 and 4 on the second homework assignment.
9/26/07:
Today we started Chapter 6, going over how light and matter interact, and what we can learn by studying the light from distant objects. On Friday I will begin with the structure of matter, more interactions of light and matter, and hopefully begin spectroscopy. We looked at the NAAP Blackbody Demo as well.
Start studying for the midterm now! It will cover the material in Chapters 1-4, and be a multiple-choice test. You will need to be familiar with the vocabulary from these chapters, and you should be able to explain things shown in the key diagrams. I would also suggest you get started on the second homework assignment, so you will get an idea of what to study from Chapters 3 and 4. We will do an in-class review on Monday, so bring your questions!
Reading for next time: Sections 6.1-6.3
9/24/07:
Homework #2 will be due on Monday October 8, not the previous Friday, so you guys have the weekend to finish up after the midterm. Sorry I forgot to announce what we talked about on Friday! Last week we talked more about the properties of light and the electromagnetic spectrum. We also started to talk a bit about telescopes. Today we finished up with telescopes, and on Wednesday we will begin Chapter 6.
Reading for next time: Section 6.1
9/17/07:
Today we talked about Newton and his laws of motion and gravity, and started talking about light. The SFSU observatory is open on Monday and Thursday nights this semester, the full schedule can be found here. The observatory is a great way to get a look at some of the objects we talk about in class and use a telescope.
Reading for next time: Sections 5.1 and 5.2
9/14/07:
Today we finished talking about Tycho and Kepler in class, then we talked about Kepler's Laws of planetary motion and Galileo and his discoveries. We looked at the Planetary Orbit Simulator to get a better idea of how Kepler's Laws work and what they mean. We also talked about the phases of Venus, and looked at two demos of what Venus's phases would look like in a geocentric and in a heliocentric model. The second homework is now available online. Next week we will start with Newton and his law of gravity, and then start chapter 5.
Reading for next time: Sections 4.5 and 5.1
9/13/07:
Since the bookstore apparently sold out of the textbook sometime between noon and 2 PM on Wednesday afternoon, the first homework assignment will be due on Monday, not tomorrow. Pass the word along!
9/12/07:
Homework #1 is due on Friday, I have updated the homework link so it contains the text of the
problems from the book. Today we covered sections 4.1 and 4.2, and started talking about Kepler and Tycho in section 4.3. We looked at two Solar System Models demos from the Nebraska Astronomy Applet Project: the Ptolemy's Model Simulation and the Planetary Configurations Simulator. On Friday we will continue with Kepler's Laws and more history of astronomy.
Reading for next time: Sections 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5
Update: Ack! My announcements section got accidentally deleted. I will re-link to the NAAP demo page above.
