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* marks optional (but useful!) readings
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* marks optional (but useful!) readings
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1) Lab meets in Room A045 this week (the basement room) at 7:00.
1) Observations of the Night Sky: Due Monday, Aug. 26 in class.
The objective of this exercise is for you to begin looking at the sky, making observations and asking questions about what you see. This exercise will not take long (plan about 45 minutes), but cannot be rushed. Use it as a study break or for something to do to relax. On a clear night, find a dark place with few lights. Take along a pillow and a blanket and perhaps some bug spray, and park yourself on the ground looking up at the sky. Just let your eye wander a bit. Start taking notice of what you see. What observations about the night sky can you make with just your eyes? Do all the stars look the same? Make a list of everything you notice. If you happen to have binoculars, take them along. How much more can you see with binoculars? Add your binocular observations to your list. As you look at the sky, what questions come to mind? Make a list of these questions. Remember, no question is trivial, no observation is silly. Again, it is important you do not try to rush through this exercise. Turn in a list of your observations, and a list of your questions. Take your time, relax, and enjoy the sky.
2) Review of Internet Astronomy News sources: Due, Friday, Aug. 30 in class. (3 point grade)
Visit three astronomy news sources. You may chose from the list below, and/or search for your own. For each source, write a half page review of the types of news articles it contains. What subject matter is covered? How detailed are the stories? Are there links to related stories? What level are they written? How useful might this source be for class? Be sure to include the url for each of the three you review.
