Astronomy 107, Autumn 2022, U.
Louisville
Check this website frequently for
course announcements and information.
Instructor: Dr. Gerard Williger, Natural
Science Bldg (NS) 206
Contact:
tel 852-0821, e-mail gmwill06* where *=@louisville.edu
Here are links for my homepage and
my teaching
page (with grading history)
Office
hours: After class
for one hour AND by appointment.
As a general policy, I don't
answer questions about an assignment or
test on the day it's
due/given. It's not a good way to study, and it
can swamp me. I'll happily be available before due dates,
though.
Meets: Tue/Thu 3:30-4:15pm in
the planetarium + lecture hall (LE, moved
to NATURAL SCIENCE 212C STARTING 15 SEP 2022),
tests/exam plus other lectures),
and the online as
announced
Class number: 107-02
3 credits
Reading Day: Tue Dec 6, 3:30-4:30pm,
question session for final exam, "Adams Room",
beside Nat Sci 102 (clearly marked on the
outside)
COVID-19
RESOURCES/LINKS
SPECIAL NOTES FOR THE SWITCH TO ELECTRONIC INSTRUCTION AS OF
MAR. 18, 2020 and all "hybrid" courses thereafter,
DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
The class is during the COVID pandemic, and changes may be
made at any time. Things to note:
1) Homework will be submitted via paper unless otherwise
noted. See "Weekly
Assignments" for due dates
2) Lectures will be given mostly in person. Often, I
will afterwards post slides/audio files on the class protected site
3) A class discussion board for students to pose and answer
each other's questions will be created on BlackBoard.
4) Testing will be in person unless otherwise noted.
UL
Student Support Page for the COVID-19 situation.
In addition to the instructor and
your classmates, these people can help you.
It is your responsibility
to get help when you need it.
Graders/Tutors: Grader:
Clayton Robertson (cdrobe05@)
REACH tutors (book
appointments via the REACH
Center): Adele
Schultz and Jade Wheeler
PLC tutors (Nat Sci 304): Mon 9-11am Kyle Cook (kwcook01@),
4-5pm Stanford Broadwater (sabroa02@)
Tue 9-11am Kyle Cook
Wed 9-11am Kyle Cook, 4-5pm Stanford Broadwater
Thu 9-11am Kyle Cook
Fri 10am-12 noon Stanford Broadwater
Our
2009-2010 Learning Assistant, Russell Tabolt, and several
other good students (most or all A-Stars)
had
this advice
for
students how to do well.
The
Learning Assistant LA program is normally sponsored by the REACH Center,
which
offers many tutoring services, including math help. We do
not have an LA
this
semester.
Please contact the REACH
Center, the Physics Learning
Center or an A-Star if you need help.
A-Stars:
See the A-Star page for a
list of current A-stars.
Tutoring:
REACH Center,
including math tutoring in Strickler 226, tel 852-8114
This course uses high school math (algebra and trigonometry).
UL undergraduate admissions
standards are here.
A summary Kentucky high school standards for math and
science are here.
More complete standards (2015 for science, 2019 for math)
are here
(long documents, download PDF files).
If you need help, come to
the REACH center (Strickler Hall) or PLC (Nat Sci 304), the
tutors or Dr. Williger.
Many students in this course have found that they can handle
the math
once they get a little help. If you are in remedial
math or in Math 105/107/109 (remember
that Math 111 is the gen-ed requirement) you should
definitely
get weekly tutoring until you consistently get at least 50%
on the quizzes.
Please note that the lab is a different, completely INDEPENDENT
course (Physics & Astronomy 108), which, if taken,
need not be during the same semester.
You
need to bring these items to face to face class each
time:
pencil, clicker, to be ready for a POP QUIZ
(possible any time, either on paper or via
clicker).
Click
for details and quiz/test/class ETIQUETTE.
YOU WILL NEED TO BUY A
CLICKER - DETAILS HERE
Click HERE
- HOW TO REGISTER YOUR CLICKER (scroll down on FAQ page)
OBJECTIVES and
TEXTBOOK: click here for details
As usual with college courses,
you are expected to spend 2-3 hours reading, doing homework,
studying,
etc. for each credit hour of the class. It's a 3
hour course,
so
that means 6-9 hours outside
work per week ON AVERAGE. Some people need more,
some less. If
you need help, please come to the instructor,
grader, tutors, your fellow classmates, the Physics Learning
Center and/or the Reach Center.
We're
all here to help. But, you need to take responsibility for
yourself to seek help if you need it.
Here are some words of
wisdom for effective studying from a student.
Here are more
words of wisdom to succeed in college astronomy
(and other classes) from Jeff Bennett, a renowned
college astronomy educator,
and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
WEEKLY
ASSIGNMENTS: Reading, Homework, Challenge
Pblms, Pre/post tests: (link)
ASTRO-NEWS
titles
and links to news in astronomy - REQUIRED READING for quizzes
and tests!
LINKS Equations used
in class, including a few REQUIRED EQUATIONS to
learn, constellation
sites
to extra material (fair game for extra credit) and
in-depth explanations and student questions.
SUPPLEMENTAL
MATERIAL in-depth explanations, chapter by
chapter, plus simulators and other fun stuff.
For Autumn 2019: See the Netflix series "The Universe"
for more material about what we are studying.
The first
episode is on the sun and relates well to our class
work. Thanks to Joe Vicars for the
recommendation!
PROTECTED
which has answers to homework/quizzes/tests,
PowerPoints, in-class assignments etc.
HOMEWORK
POLICY: on paper unless otherwise announced, policy on
copying/cheating and other rules
TEST
POLICY
COURSE BUILDING/ROOM BY DAY:
LOCATION:
Up to half the classes
classes will tentatively be in the
Planetarium (PL)
At least half will be in the Lecture Hall
(NATURAL SCIENCE BUILDING 212C STARTING ON
SEP 15, 2022). TBA means to be
announced.
Schedule (subject to
revision)
TUE
____ THU
Week01
- 08/23LE
08/25LE
Week02 - 08/30PL
08/27LE
Week03 - 09/06PL
09/08LE
Week04 - 09/13PL
09/15LE
Week05 - 09/20PL
09/22LE
Week06 - 09/27PL
09/29LE Midterm 1 (Ch 1-6)
Week07 - 10/04MidtermBreak
10/06LE
Week08 - 10/11LE
10/13LE (planetarium unavailable this
week)
Week09 - 10/18PL
10/20LE
Week10
- 10/25PL
10/27LE
Week11 -
11/01PL
11/03LE Midterm 2 (Ch 7-13.2f) (question
session in
planetarium
classroom
after lecture
on Nov 1)
Week12 -
11/08PL
11/10LE
Week13 -
11/15PL
11/17LE
Week14 -
11/22PL
11/24Thanksgiving
Week15 -
11/29PL
12/01LE
Reading Day: Tue Dec 6, 3:30-4:30pm, question session for
final exam, "Adams Room",
beside Nat Sci 102 (clearly marked on the outside)
CUMULATIVE FINAL EXAM: SATURDAY Dec
10, 2022 at 4:45-7:15pm, in the Lecture Hall
GRADING
POLICY: in a nutshell,
participation (clickers) 12.5%, homework 12.5%, 2
midterms 18.75% each, cumulative final 37.5%,
Historically, 3-5% is roughly 1/3 of a letter
grade (the difference
between a B+ and A-), but the exact scale varies from
semester to semester.
I reserve the right to change the weighting formula in
case of substantial missed work for medical or other
excused absences.
EXCUSED ABSENCES: If you have a written, verifiable
excuse from a third party (doctor, sports coach etc.), I
can excuse
you from a homework assignment due that day or a paper
quiz that day. For a death in the family etc.
take care of your family first, but I would eventually
like to see some sort of documentation (newspaper notice
etc.) after the fact. For a test, I need written
documentation and please
notify me a week in advance to talk about the
possibility of a makeup. The University Testing
Center administers (and charges for)
make-up tests and final exams - see here.
If you miss a Big Quiz/Midterm or the Final Exam, speak
with me in real time (phone, Microsoft Teams etc.)
I generally don't excuse missed clicker points, in-class
assignments etc. If you miss several of those,
please
See the Frequently Asked Questions link below for more
details.
IF YOU MISS
CLASS:
Get notes etc. from a classmate.
The slides already covered are
usually available on the class protected
site.
There is usually an audio file for
each class, too, on the class protected
site.
Get help from a tutor or the
instructor as needed.
Missed clicker points cannot be made
up. However, clicker points are
calculated such that a student can miss
20-25%
of the lectures without
penalty, on average.
EXTRA
CREDIT DETAILS There are several
assignments offered each semester. They will be
announced as they come up.
**ALL EXTRA CREDIT ESSAYS ARE DUE BY BLACKBOARD UPLOAD BY 4pm ON TUE DEC 13 (EXTENDED)***
1)
SURVEYS:
1a) Do the student survey. If you did not do it in
class, an electronic copy will be offered.
1b) Do the pre-course diagnostic survey, due on Tue 30 Aug at 4pm
on BlackBoard. It is worth 2 bonus clicker points (about +0.2% on
your grade).
You have one hour and one try with BlackBoard. Since
BlackBoard often times out when one is logged in from off-campus,
I strongly
urge you to do the survey WITH A GOOD INTERNET CONNECTION. Let me
know if it "hangs". I may be able
to fix it in that case, but it is not guaranteed. Please do
not look up answers from any source. Your diagnostic survey
grade is only based on
participation. It will help me to teach the course better if
your answers are given honestly, without looking up answers.
It is worth 2 participation points (about 0.2% on your grade -
bonuses do add up). Let me know if you have a technical
problem with the survey.
1c) Do the mid-course diagnostic survey. It is on
BlackBoard, due at 4pm on Tue Nov 8.
1d) Do the post-course diagnostic survey. It is on
BlackBoard, due on Tue. Dec. 13 at 9am (EXTENDED).
You have one hour and one try for this survey, with no
back-tracking of answers, so ensure that you have a good Internet
connection before you start.
It is to help me teach better, so please do not look up any
answers if you do not know them.
It is worth 2 bonus participation points.
1e) Do the official UL online course survey at the end of the
course. Upload a screenshot which shows that you did
it. It is worth 2 participation points. To get the credit,
i) DO the survey by 9am on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 (EXTENDED), and
ii) UPLOAD your screenshot to the BlackBoard assignment by that
time/date.
2) Astrophotos.
a) See the Extra
Credit page for details on taking pictures of sunrise/sunset
(6 photos, spaced
7-10 days apart, worth up to +2% on your grade) moon phases (4,
spaced 5-9 days apart, up to +1% on your
grade), planets (at least one photo, including a planet and either
another astronomical object or ground objects for reference)
and sunspots (2, spaced about 7 days apart, worth up to +1% on
your grade). There are
mandatory worksheets associated with each one, as these are
treated as scientific observations.
NEW: Help NASA track the growing problem of satellite
constellations (Starlink etc.) by photographing and uploading
them.
See the Extra
Credit page for details.
The deadline for each assignment is at at the final exam.
There is no extra credit for a planetarium show or planispheres
during COVID/hybrid semesters,
because the planetarium is mostly closed.
3) Watch "A Private Universe" (20' video, linked from the class
supplemental
site, Ch 1). Feel free to use other material,
including
`Radio Wave Errors: Students Mistaking Radio Transverse
Electromagnetic Light Waves as Longitudinal Sound Waves', linked
from the class supplemental site (Ch 1 listing).
As *always* expected in college-level academic work, type on
paper, and cite your sources. Submit a PDF file, and use 12
point type.
In about 150-200 words (about a half page), summarize the video.
Then, in about 200-250 words (maximum one page), write about
(a) any misconceptions about astronomy (or other science) you have
had so far in your academic history, or
misconceptions you think others might have, and how you
think they arose in either inside or outside the classroom
(GIVE A DETAILED EXAMPLE),
(b) how those misconceptions were overcome (or not overcome), and
(c) how you think we can help to correct those misconceptions in
Astronomy 107, possibly including but not limited to
smaller class size, weekly recitations with a TA, tutoring, using
visual aids, Astronomy 108 labs, group assignments or
anything else you can think of. I will share results
with our department and college.
As usual in a college course, grammar, spelling and style count.
Each error in grammar or spelling will reduce the grade by 10%.
DUE: TBA, via BlackBoard upload.
Worth: up to 1.5% on your participation grade.
4a) Summarize the 2022 Bullitt Lecture in Astronomy. I
apologize that it was NOT completely recorded.
Write a one page (about 250 word) summary, to be uploaded on
BlackBoard by TBA. It should be written in college-level
prose, and grammar, spelling and style count.
It is worth up to +1% on your participation grade.
4b) Summarize any Astronomy on Tap lecture. They are at 7pm
at
Monnik Beer Co., 1036 East Burnett St., Louisville KY 40217.
The absolute latest possible submission time is
11:59pm on Sunday, Dec 11.
Type a one page (about 250-300 words) summary. Grammar, spelling
and style count.
It is worth up to +1% on your participation grade. Submit your
assignments via e-mail in PDF format to Dr. W.
Here is the schedule for this semester:
*Wed 07 Sep - Dr. Tim Dowling, UL, "Ram Pressure in Astronomy and
Engineering: how gas clouds collide"
*Wed 02 Nov - Dr. Benne Holwerda, UL, "Masers: Synchronized
Molecules in Distant Galaxies"
*Wed 07 Dec - Dr. James Lauroesch, UL, "The James Webb Space
Telescope"
* RECORDED, WITH SLIDES AND AUDIO ON THE CLASS PROTECTED
SITE, UNDER "PUBLIC_LECTURES"
4c) Summarize any of Dr. Tim Dowling's series on the history of
planetary exploration 1962-2022.
They are on Thursdays at 6:30-8pm in the Louisville Free Public
Library, 301 York St., Louisville KY 40203,
through Nov. 10 (last day).
Summaries are as in 4a and 4b. A link is here.
Recordings may eventually become available.
5) Submit a mnemonic for the stellar spectral classes OBAFGKM
and an additional one for brown dwarfs
(including LTY), via a BlackBoard forum.
**YOU MUST USE THE BLACKBOARD DISCUSSION FORUM TO SUBMIT. LOOK
UNDER "COURSE TOOLS".**
Deadline: 11:59pm, Monday, Nov. 7. See the forum for
details.
You get an bonus participation point for each entry (maximum of
one per category) and the first,
second and third places get additional 5, 3 and 1 bonus clicker
points respectively.
6) Solar Crossword.
The due date is 4pm on Nov. 10 (EXTENDED), 2022.
The clues and crossword grid are on the protected
site in the file ch10_crossword.pdf
Then answer the questions on the BlackBoard test. You can
get up to 5
bonus clicker points (roughly +0.5% on your grade) for it, scaled
by the percentage you get right.
I recommend that you do it BEFORE Big Quiz 2, to learn the
material.
7) Make a scale model of a research satellite or telescope. It
must be something
you put together by hand. Just making a 3D printout from a file or
buying something ready-made does not count,
since the point is to put labor into it and to get to know the
parts of the instrument.
It can be a satellite like Cheops (printable file on Protected
site, use cardboard stock),
the Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, Mars
Perseverance Rover etc. or
a ground-based telescope like the Keck Telescope. Talk with Dr. W.
for details.
Credit will generally be a minimum of +1% but could be more
depending on the complexity
of the model. It is due by the last day of class, and the model
must be shown to classmates.
Models of rockets do not count. It must be a research instrument.
For reference, the Cheops model
is worth +2% as it has a number of parts which must be cut out and
glued together.
Deadline: by 5pm on Mon May 2. It must be shown to Dr. W. in
person.
See printable models and auxiliary material at https://www.physics.louisville.edu/williger/Pa107_links/Pa107_models/
8) Listen to the Apr. 5, 2022 radio interview with Apollo XIII
astronaut Fred Haise here.
Type a 250-300 word double-spaced
summary. Grammar, spelling and style count. Turn it in
on paper at the final exam, or 11:59pm on Dec. 11, 2022, by
e-mail.
9) Observe, photograph and record details about the total lunar
eclipse which starts at 3am EST on Tue Nov. 8. See the
assignment here.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Cheating is
grounds for automatic
failure of the course.
ZERO TOLERANCE.
The official University
definition and procedures
are in
Sections 5-6 of the
Student Handbook
I use cheating detection
software. I will
report cheating or
allegations of cheating
to the Dean. COPYING HOMEWORK FROM
ANOTHER PERSON OR A
REFERENCE
(INCLUDING WIKIPEDIA),
USING COMMUNICATIONS
DEVICES OR
PASSING INFORMATION ON
CALCULATORS DURING TESTS,
"CLICKING" FOR SOMEONE
ELSE (AUTOMATIC PENALTY IS
AT LEAST -2% ON YOUR GRADE
FOR EACH PARTY AND EACH
OFFENSE AND A REPORT TO
THE DEAN),
TRYING TO GAIN UNFAIR
ADVANTAGES COMPARED TO
OTHER
STUDENTS AND
PLAGIARISM ARE ALL
EXAMPLES OF
CHEATING. AVOID EVEN
THE
APPEARANCE OF
CHEATING. SHARING
CALCULATORS IS PROHIBITED
DURING TESTS.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS
IT *EVER* ACCEPTABLE TO
COPY SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK
AND TURN IT IN AS
YOUR OWN.
THIS INCLUDES IF YOU'RE
COLLABORATING OPENLY ON
HOMEWORK (ALLOWED) OR TWO
STUDENTS ARE MARRIED TO
EACH OTHER.
This policy is
done to protect the
integrity of the grades of
the vast majority of
students who
are honest. Rather
than cheat, it is far easier
to ask for help in the
class.
I ask for everyone's support
toward this goal.
Here
is an example of cheating on
homework. See
"Close the Book. Recall.
Write It Down." at the
bottom of
my teaching
page.
Announcements:
If you are interested in more looking
through telescopes and learning about
astronomy, check out the
Louisville Astronomical Society at www.louisville-astro.org.
There are students in the
organization, including
Kyle Kenner, who was in a
previous Astronomy 107 class.
ASTRO-POETRY: Class member from
Autumn 2008 Morghan Tyler wrote some
inspired poetry:
In
Stars Tonight
Astronomy
Lab Sestina
Syllabus
(subject to revision): the
Earth-Moon system, nature of light,
telescopes, planets,
moons, comets & asteroids, the
Sun, stars (their births, lives,
deaths and planetary systems),
the Milky Way galaxy, other galaxies,
the Big Bang and early history of the
Universe.
The 2 page summary will be posted on
BlackBoard.
In case of ambiguity or conflict, the
class website is the final authority
for class policy.
Two
big
things you can
do to improve
your
performance:
DO HOMEWORK
and GET HELP
WHEN YOU NEED
IT.
During the
semester, I
reserve the
right to relax
the grading
scale. A
grade of
A-,A,A+ or
"benefit of
the doubt"
when a student
is near a
grade
boundary also
depends on
conduct: no
cheating,
knowingly
letting
someone copy
off your work
or anti-social
behavior.
If you
want to talk
about your
grade, please
make an
appointment to
speak in real
time (not just
e-mail).
UL regulations
state that
BlackBoard is
the preferred
method of
distributing
information
about grades.
Since only
about a third
of your grade
is determined
by the
withdrawal
deadline at
mid-semester,
nearly
everyone has a
chance at a
good grade (B
or better) at
that point, if
good effort
has been made
on homework
and
participation.
IN
CASE YOU
WITHDRAW:
Withdrawing
from a class
is a loss of
time and
resources for
both the
student and
the
University.
Please let Dr.
W and your
academic
advisor know
why. It
will help to
minimize
withdrawals in
the future.