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Astro 115: Introduction to Astronomy

About Me •  My office is in Science 356 •  Best way to contact me is email

–  jfielder@sfsu.edu – put “Astro 115-03” (for TTh) or “Astro

115-05” (for MWF) in the subject line •  Office hours: MTWTh, 1-2PM •  My interests include astronomy and

physics education, black hole mergers, and gravitational waves

On your survey paper, take 3 minutes to answer the following: 1. What’s a goal you have for this class this semester? 2. What’s a goal you have for your semester in general? 3. What excites you about astronomy?

Now, introduce yourself to your neighbors and share your goals!

My Goals For This Class

Help you develop: •  a basic understanding of the central ideas

of astronomy •  an appreciation for the role astronomy has

played in shaping the consciousness of the world in the past, at present, and its implications for what the future holds

•  A sense of yourself as a critical thinker and scientist

A Commonly Held, Incorrect Model of a Student’s Conceptual Framework

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A Commonly Held Incorrect Model of Teaching and Learning

Why does the Sun rise and set every day?

A.  Because the Earth spins on its axis B.  Because the Earth orbits the Sun C.  Because the Sun spins on its axis D.  Because the Sun orbits the Earth E.  None of the above

Administrative Stuff •  Enrollment •  Lab (Astro 116) can be taken now or later •  Textbook: 5th, 6th, or 7th edition is ok! •  Optional FREE OpenStax book •  Lecture-tutorials: must be 3rd edition, bring to

EVERY CLASS •  Mastering Astronomy

– Course ID for 115-05: fielder05016 – Course ID for 115-03: fielder73866 –  2-week free trial period – Register now! If you are not registered by Feb 9,

you will be dropped from the class.

http://www.physics.sfsu.edu/~jfielder/11505S17.html

http://www.physics.sfsu.edu/~jfielder/11503S17.html

Etext, access code, free trial period for Mastering Astronomy Participation

•  15% of your final grade is class participation – Short writing assignments – Group activities – Voting

•  If you miss class, you cannot make up the participation credit (but each one is worth only 1% of your grade)

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Homework

•  About 1 assignment per week on Mastering Astronomy (due Fridays at 11:59PM)

•  Problems based on reading/lecture •  Review questions from Lecture-Tutorials •  Working in groups is encouraged!

•  Homework is 30% of your final grade (so each assignment is worth about 2%)

Exams

•  3 midterms (15% each) and a final (25%) •  Lowest midterm score is dropped •  multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank •  Exam dates are not flexible

•  DO NOT MISS EXAMS! THERE ARE NO MAKEUPS!

Grades •  Homework 30% •  Participation (15 x 1% each) 15% •  Midterms (top 2 x 15% each) 30% •  Final Exam 25%

A = 90-100% B = 75-89.9% C = 60-74.9% CR = 60-100% D = 45-59.9% NC < 59.9% F < 44.9%

Syllabus Questions?

! Bring signed Student Contract (last page of syllabus)

to class on Tuesday.

! Register for Mastering Astronomy as soon as possible.

Laws, Theories, and Hypotheses •  What is the

difference between a hypothesis, theory, and law?

•  How do scientists use these words differently from the public?

So what is Science?

•  Questions •  Models •  Tests & Predictions •  Evaluation •  Building up to a set

of rules: Laws or Theories

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Finding your way around the sky Constellations

•  Named groups of stars representing a story, animal, person

Different cultures saw different patterns

Sagittarius, the Centaur & Scorpius, the Scorpion Constellations Redefined •  88 official

constellations •  Familiar, useful

patterns (but not constellations): “asterisms” – Big Dipper – Summer Triangle – Orion’s Belt

Orion: The Hunter

(Actual photograph)

Finding the North

Star

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The Summer Triangle The Winter Hexagon

Finding other bright stars

using the Big Dipper

Imagining a spinning Celestial Sphere

surrounding Earth still aids

in thinking about the

position and motion of the

sky

Celestial Sphere vs. Horizon Demo Position Lecture Tutorial (pg. 1-2)

•  Work with a partner or two •  Read the instructions and questions carefully. •  Discuss the concepts and your answers with one

another. Take time to understand it now!!!! •  Come to a consensus answer you both agree on

and write complete thoughts in your workbook. •  If you get stuck or are not sure of your answer,

ask another group. •  If you get really stuck or don’t understand what

the Lecture Tutorial is asking, ask me for help.