TwoStars

Today in class, we'll be using the TwoStars program that comes with our textbook. You can download it from the online resources site related to the Modern Astrophysics textbook.

Color PROMPT Photos

 The Pencil Nebula

 M88 Galaxy

 Eagle Nebula

Jupiter

Bonus Astronomy Nights

As we discussed in class today, I'll be offering two optional bonus telescope sessions at 10 PM tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday). Please report directly to the rooftop and dress warmly!

Homework 5

HW 5 (due October 29th at 11:59 PM)

"C-level" problems (25 points each): 6.7, 6.8, 6.14
"B-level" problem (10 points each): 6.15, 6.16
"A-level" problem (5 points each): 6.17

Homework 4

HW 4 (due October 11th 18th at 11:59 PM)

"C-level" problems (25 points each): 5.1, 5.6, 5.10
"B-level" problem (10 points each): 5.4, 5.18
"A-level" problem (5 points each): 5.8

Public Astronomy Talk (Friday) and Research Conference (Saturday) at GTCC

This Friday night, Dr. Robert A. Benjamin of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will give a free public lecture at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, 5 October 2012 in the Auditorium of the Koury Hospitality Careers Center on GTCC's Jamestown Campus. His talk will be, "A Visitor's Guide to the Milky Way."

http://www.gtcc.edu/observatory/speaker-seriesncam.aspx

On Saturday, GTCC will also host a North Carolina Astronomers Meeting. This will be from 9 am to 2 PM.

http://www.gtcc.edu/observatory/speaker-seriesncam/ncam.aspx

If you need transportation to either event, please contact Dr. Crider.

Simple SDSS Searching

Today in class, we'll start using tools to search the SDSS for specific types of objects. Here's a link to the simple search form we'll begin with:

http://skyserver.sdss3.org/public/en/tools/search/form/form.asp

Time Dilation Video

In class today, I showed a snippet of a video about time dilation from the Mechanical Universe series. You can view the full video online at http://bit.ly/o4azAH. The part we watched started at 11:43.

Homework 3

HW 3 (due 9/24 9/27 at 11:59 PM)

"C-level" problems (10 points each): 4.4, 4.5, 4.8
"B-level" problems (10 points each): 4.9, 4.13
"A-level" problem (5 points each): 4.6

All of these must be created as a single Google spreadsheet with one tab for each problem.

Homework 2

HW 2 (due 9/18 at 11:59 PM)

"C-level" problems (25 points each): 3.3, 3.7, 3.9
"B-level" problem (10 points each): 3.10 (b), 3.16
"A-level" problem (5 points each): 3.12

All of these must be created as a single Google spreadsheet with one tab for each problem.

Bonus Office Hours

I'm having "bonus" office hours this morning (Friday) and Monday from 10 to 11 AM to help out with your first homework set due on Monday at 11:59 PM. Also, if anyone is interested in help on Saturday, I'm curious to see what office hours using a Google Hangout would be like. Email me if you want to try this and I'll set up a time.

Kepler's Second Law Video

Several of you had trouble articulating Kepler's Second Law in the reading quiz. I suggest watching the following video from Cosmos by Carl Sagan (or "Uncle Carl" as he is sometimes called in the astronomy community.) The full video is worth watching, but the description of Kepler's Second Law starts at 2:32.

Field Trip to NASA Kennedy Space Center

Dr. Martin Kamela is organizing a field trip to NASA Kennedy Space Center in November. Please contact him (in MCMI 202D) and chat with him during an organizational meeting in MCMI 202 on Thursday, September 6 at 4:00 PM.
 
http://www.spscongress.org/

Tuesdays Downstairs, Thursdays Upstairs

Starting this week, we'll be having our Tuesday classes in MCMI 006 and our Thursday classes in MCMI 320.

Homework 1

HW 1 (due 9/10 at 11:59 PM)

"C-level" problems (25 points each): 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 
"B-level" problem (10 points each): 1.8, 2.14
"A-level" problem (5 points each): 2.15

All of these (except 2.15) must be created as a single Google Docs spreadsheet with one tab for each problem and shared with the instructor. Problem 2.15 must be submitted via email as a *.py Python file.

Class on Thursday, August 30

We will be having class in the MCMI 006 computer lab on Thursday, August 30th. In class, you'll learn to do the following:

• locate a star using the altitude-azimuth and the equatorial coordinate systems
• use Stellarium to determine stellar positions
• predict the altitude of the Sun at noon for a given date and place on Earth
• determine the angle between two stars
• convert dates and times into JD and MJD 

Please read sections 1.1, 1.3, and 1.4 from the textbook so you are ready for the first reading quiz.

Welcome to Modern Astrophysics!

Welcome to Modern Astrophysics! During class on Tuesday, we will do a lot of things:

• Discuss the Big Questions and how astronomy attempts to answers some of them.
• Review the syllabus and schedule for PHY 313.
• Use Stellarium to answer the question "What planets are visible tonight?"

If we have time during class, I also will be asking you to fill out a short survey so I can get to know a little bit more about you. If we don't have time, please do this before the next class on Thursday. The survey can be accessed here:

http://bit.ly/qm146z

ERIRA 2012, a week-long radio astronomy summer program

In case you haven't heard about it yet, there is a 1-week program at Green Bank Observatory for students interested in learning more about radio astronomy. This is the largest steerable radio telescope in the world. ERIRA 2012 will take place from Saturday, July 14 to Friday, July 20 (Saturday and Friday are travel days). Applications are due by Monday, April 9.

Since radio astronomy and satellite communications use pretty much the same equipment, this is a particularly good program from electrical engineers. This also is a good way to beef up your resume if you don't already have summer plans for that week. Here is the link:

http://skynet.unc.edu/erira/

If any of you are interested and want more information, let me know.

Homework 6

 HW 6 (Due 11/7/2011 at 11:59 PM)

"C-level" problems (25 points each): 7.6, 8.3, 8.16
"B-level" problem (10 points each): 7.15, 7.17
"A-level" problem (5 points each): 8.5

Presentation Evaluation Form

Here is the Presentation Evaluation Form I will be using to grade your practice and final presentation.