Astronomy 103 The Solar System 

Dr. M. P. Kertzman  232 JSMC  kertzman@depauw.edu

Spring 2002   2:45 - 3:50 MWF Julian 123; 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. T Julian 229 or McKim Observatory

Group 1 Lab, Q 

Course Web Site: acad.depauw.edu/~kertzman/astro103s02/a103s02.htm . (There is a logic to the name: "astro103" or "a103" is for the course name and number, "s" is for spring semester, and "02" is for the year 2002). This web site contains the syllabus, full schedule, weekly schedules, links, helpful tutorials, and other useful information for the course. Look around the website, get familiar with the information it contains, and look for the links to a FREE POSTER from NASA!

In addition to the schedule for the full semester, a detailed schedule for each week will be posted on the web page by 5:00 p.m. Friday of the preceding week.  The weekly schedule is important! It contains  detailed readings assignments from the text and other sources, announcements, assignments due that week and a link to a set of study questions for that week. Often I will have "tentative" schedules posted for future weeks. Please note that these can and will change in response to how fast we move through the material. If you print out a weekly schedule labeled "Tentative", please be sure to check back later for the final version. 

1. Course Goals
2. Text and other required materials
3. Course overview
4. Office hours
5. Q certification
6. Course Grade
7. Exams and assignments
8. Lab

COURSE GOALS:

1. To gain an understanding and appreciation of the daily and yearly motion of the objects in our sky. To ancient humans the motions of the heavens had an important significance in their everyday lives. In our modern technological times, most people are not even aware of what happens in the sky. I hope that you gain an understanding of why things move as they do, and also gain a sense of wonder at how much you can learn just by observing the sky.
2. To learn about the physical characteristics of the objects in the solar system.
3. To obtain a basis for understanding current and future exploration of the solar system.
4. To gain an appreciation of the unique interactions between Earth, its inhabitants, and interplanetary space.
5. To learn to use the Internet to keep current on planetary exploration.
6. To become familiar with the content of popular astronomy magazines such as Sky and Telescope and Astronomy, to become familiar with astronomy articles in Scientific American, and to learn to research current planetary science in journals such as Nature and Science.
7. To practice your quantitative and mathematical skills.

• Astronomy Today, fourth edition, Chaisson and McMillan, Available at DPU bookstore. 
• Calculator. Always bring a calculator to class and lab. It is best to always have one with you. It does not need to be fancy, but should have trigonometric functions. 
• Class/lab Folder: Instead of having you purchase a separate lab textbook, we assemble a folder of materials you need for labs. Your account will be charged $10 for the lab folder. This is non-refundable! 
• Lab kit (cross staff, quadrant and compass): The lab kit will be handed out at the first lab in which you need the tools.  A $10 lab deposit will be charged to your account, and will be refunded when you return the instruments at the end of the semester.

• Clear plastic ruler (metric, clear)
• Compass (to draw circles)
• Protractor
• Pencils for lab (not pens). Colored pencils are useful for some labs. I have some, but probably not enough to go around. 
• A loose-leaf notebook is preferred for this course. There will be many handouts and in-class activities which would be best kept integrated with your notes in a loose-leaf binder.
• Always bring a ruler (metric, clear) and a protractor to lab.
• On most activities in class and lab I prefer you to use a pencil, so please be sure to have a pencil and an eraser at all times.

COURSE OVERVIEW

There are three main themes for the course: observational astronomy, characteristics of the solar system, and the Earth and its relation to its space environment. Each of these themes will be visited throughout the semester (rather than following through them one after the other). Specific topics related to each theme are listed below.

1. Observational astronomy of the solar system
• motion of the sun, planets, and comets
• identification of constellations
• observations of the moon and planets
• celestial coordinate systems
• systems of time
2. The Solar System
• The Planets, with particular emphasis on Mars, the Moon, and the Galilean moons
• Comets and asteroids
• The Sun
• Formation of the solar system
• The search for other planetary systems
3. Earth and its space environment
• the space program
• exploration of the planets
• Threat of asteroid/comet impact on Earth
• Aurora, Earth's geomagnetic field, and the boundary between Earth and Space

Basically, I have "anti-office" hours: I am available to help you whenever I am not in class or in a meeting. If you want to be certain of finding me at a particular time, check with me in class. Right now I do not know all my regular weekly meeting times for this semester. After the first week of classes I will post an updated list of times that I am not available. My best guess right now is that the best time to find me will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.  However, I am available at other times.  Just check with me to arrange a time. I do reserve one day when I am not available. This semester I will not generally be available on Thursdays (except for the Thursday before an exam). If you find that this policy is not working for you please tell me so I can change it. When you come to my office, I ask that you come prepared with your questions organized and readily available.

Q CERTIFICATION: Certain labs and homework assignments are designated as "Q". Parts of the exams and lab exams will also be "Q". To achieve "Q" certification, you must have an average of "C" or better on all designated "Q" work AND have a "C" grade for the course. It is possible to pass the course but not receive a "Q"; it is not possible to fail the course and receive a "Q".

COURSE GRADE:

Your final grade is determined from the following scale:

• 90% - 100% A
• 80%- 89% B
• 70% - 79% C
• 60% - 69% D
• <60% F

Your final course grade is based on the following factors:

• Exam 1: 20%
• Exam 2: 20%
• Lab: 20%
• Assignments: 15%
• Final Exam: 25%
• Plus a class bonus (see below for details).

Assignments and Exams:

There will be occasional graded homework assignments (estimated: 2 - 6 throughout the semester), and occasional graded written assignments  (estimated 1 - 4 throughout the semester). These will factor into the "assignments" part of your final grade.

There are two mid semester exams and a three hour comprehensive final exam. The format of the exams will be discussed in detail in advance of the first exam. There are no makeups for exams except in the most extreme situations (e.g. hospitalization, serious injury etc). The exam dates given below are fixed.

Class Bonus: There will be approximately 12 short (1-2 page) assignments. Many of these will be Internet assignments, or assignments based on reading from astronomy journals. There are several purposes for these assignments. Some will be discussed directly in class. Others give you additional information or background on a class topic. Others give will serve as a background or starting point for a graded assignment. In general, these assignments are pass/fail: you either do then or you don=t. I use a 3 point grading system for these assignments. Doing the minimum requirement of the assignment will earn 3 points. This corresponds to passing the assignment. If you turn in work that is above and beyond the minimum, you could earn 4 or 5 points. If you turn in work that does not even reach the minimum, you earn 2 or 1 points. If you don=t turn in the assignment on time, you get 0 points. At the end of the semester, if you have received all 3's or better, your course grade computed from exams etc. will be increased by 2%. If you have 2 scores of 0 (meaning you didn't turn in two of these assignments), your grade will not be affected. If you are missing 3 assignments, your grade will be lowered by 1%. The following table shows total assignment points and corresponding bonus points assuming there are a total of 12 of these short assignments. Note that the bonus is added to your final grade computed from exams etc. For example, lets say that based on your exams, lab grade, etc, you have an 85%, a B, and you did all the short assignments, receiving 3 points on each for a total of 36 points. That corresponds to an overall bonus of +2, giving you an 87, or B+ for the course.

Total assignment points Course Bonus (assuming a total of 12 of these assignments)

• 42 - 44                              +4
• 39 - 41                              +3
• 36 - 38                              +2
• 33 - 35                              +1
• 30 - 32                              0
• 27 - 29                              -1
• 24 - 26                              -2
• etc.

Late assignments will not be accepted!

LAB:

Lab meets at McKim Observatory or 229 JSMC, Tuesday, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

The lab has two major purposes. First, it strives to help you become familiar with the nighttime sky. Becoming familiar with the night time sky includes learning to identify and find constellations, observing the motions of stars and planets, learning how to measure locations in the sky, and observing the planets. This is also your chance to learn to use a telescope. Secondly, the lab is a time to explore material from class in a different context, and to learn some of the methods used by astronomers to study the objects in our solar system.

Lab is Tuesday evening, 7:00 - 10:00 pm. In general, lab will begin indoors, in room 229 Julain. In a typical lab evening, we will work on a project indoors for about 2 hours, then, if its clear, go to McKim for an hour of observing. Occasionally, we may meet at McKim for the full lab period.

A schedule of these labs is given on the course schedule. In addition to the regularly scheduled labs, there are required independent observing projects (discussed on a separate handout). These projects are relatively easy to do, and form a significant portion of your lab grade, so please take them seriously!

Your lab grade is based on lab participation and lab proficiency. The proficiency grade is based on two lab exams, graded lab homework, independent observing project reports, and any formal lab reports (there will be between 0 and 5 formal lab reports.). Your participation grade is based on actively participating in lab and on turning in informal lab reports (these will usually be the data sheets or sample calculations, and will generally be turned it at the end of lab). Lab participation is graded on a " -, check, + " system. Coming to lab, doing the activity, and turning in the informal report will earn a check. In general, assuming you did the lab and turned in the informal report, you should expect to receive a check. Substandard work (e.g. not completing the lab, missing points in the write up etc.) will receive a -. Occasionally there will be optional parts to a lab, which, if completed, may earn a +. The lab participation grade factors in to your overall lab grade as a bonus. (See below for more on the participation bonus). Note that in general you receive a check for coming to lab and participating, and a second check for the assignment.

Your lab grade is based on the following factors:

• Graded lab work (including any formal reports): 40%
• Lab Exam: 30%
• Independent Observing Projects: 30%
• Plus the Lab Participation Bonus

Lab Participation Bonus: The lab participation bonus can raise or lower your lab grade calculated from the above factors. If you have received all check's, your lab grade will be increased by 2%. If you are missing two checks, your lab grade will be unaffected. If you are missing three checks, your lab grade will be lowered 1%. If you are missing three checks, your lab grade will be lowered 2%, etc. Receiving grades of + and (check+) will help raise your grade. Receiving grades of - or (check-) will contribute to lowering your grade. Ask if you want to know the specific details of how I calculate this.