Astronomy 104

Exploration of Our Solar System

 Robert Mathieu

Marta Sewilo
 Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• Goals

• To perceive the sky and the Solar System as a part of your

environment to which you are connected – physically,
historically, and culturally/personally.

• To have a unified understanding of the evolution of the

Solar System and Earth’s place in the story.

• To obtain a deep understanding of Newtonian laws of

motion and gravity.
 Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System

• Goals

• To obtain a modest understanding of the electromagnetic

spectrum and emission/absorption of light.

• To understand the energy sources of the Sun and the Solar

System, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

• To understand the scientific “way of knowing”, with an

emphasis on the role of uncertainty.
 Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• Textbooks
• The Solar System: The Cosmic Perspective
• University Book Store
• Discovering the Cosmos
• Bob’s Copy Shop, University Square
• On Reserve at HC White and Astronomy Library (Sterling, 6th floor)

• Website
• www.astro.wisc.edu/astro104
• PowerPoints from lectures
• Download handouts, assignments, etc.
• Fun links

• Discussion Sections
• Sections do not meet week of January 19!
 Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• Communication
• Discussion Sections
• Office Hours - our doors are always open when we’re in!
• E-mail and Phone
• Study Groups

• Math
• High school algebra/trig and geometry
• F = ma
• Fg = GM1M2/R2
• R = d * sin 
• Scientific notation
• 1,000,000 = 106
• 0.0001 = 10-4
• 106 * 10-4 = 102
• Tutorial information on scientific math at website or us
 Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• Assignments
• Reading
• Emphasize what we cover in classes
• Homeworks
• Handed out on Wednesday, due next Wednesday
• No extensions! (but lowest grade will be dropped)
• Observing Labs
• Nighttime observing, at your convenience
• Portfolio
• Still being developed …
• Exams
• 6- and 12-week, Final
• Primarily multiple choice

• Collaboration
• Strongly encouraged!
• You must write up your assignments independently.
 Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• Grading
Homeworks 80 pts
Observing 50
Portfolio 70
6-week exam 50
12-week exam 50
Final 100

• Scale not curved -everyone can earn an A!

A 360-400
AB 350-359
B 300-349
BC 290-299
C 240-289
D 200-239
F < 200

Half-grade discretion to reward positive performance and vice-versa

 Astronomy 104
Exploration of Our Solar System
• ConcepTests

• Conceptual questions integrated into lectures

• I pose the question

• You take 1-2 minutes to think about it individually
• You show me your answers with color-coded cards
• If concept is not well understood, you take 2-3 minutes to discuss
your answers in groups of 3-4 neighbors.
• We all work toward consensus.

• You learn significantly more than in standard 50 minute “sage-on-the-

stage” lectures.

• And ITS FUN!

If you are looking for a passive lecture experience, this is not the class to take!!
 ConcepTest!

K 7 A 2
  A set of four 3x5 cards is dealt on a table as shown above. Each
card has a letter on one side and a number on the other.

The dealer proposes that these 4 cards satisfy the rule:

“If there is a vowel on one side of the card,

then there is an odd number on the other.”

What is the smallest number of cards you have to turn over

to be sure the rule is satisfied?
 First Assignment!

• Go to www.astro.wisc.edu/astro104
• Go to Flashcards link
• Print out A-F and mount on 4x6 cards
• Extra credit if you show up in discussion section
next week with your cards!

• BRING TO EVERY LECTURE!!

Motions in the Sky
 Celestial Sphere

s i
er
dg
Ba
Constellations
 Time and Space
in the Solar System

Horizon

Noon Up
Earth
 Concept Test!

A. Midnight
B. 6:00 pm
C. Noon
D. 6:00 am

Midnight Earth
Horizon
 Concept Test!

A. Midnight
B. 6:00 pm
6:00 pm C. Noon
D. 6:00 am
Horizon

Earth
 Daily Motion

• Every celestial object -

Sun, Moon, planets, stars -
appears to circle the Earth in
ONE DAY

• Due to Earth rotating in one day