ASTR 403 ASTRONOMY FOR TEACHERS
SCHEDULE FALL 2014 (TENTATIVE)
Plus Observing Sessions TBD
| First meeting Mon Aug 25 6:00-9:00 pm, HBH 223 |
Class overview; filling out of forms and pretest; installation of Space Update DVD; Overview of the Universe; Overview of the Galaxy (BRING A LAPTOP) |
| Mon SEPT 1, WILL BE RESCHEDULED BECAUSE OF LABOR DAY, HBH 223 |
Introduction to Celestial coordinates; Motion of the Sky through the night; Changes during the year; changes from changes in latitude or location |
| MON SEPT 8, BRK 230 (6-9 pm) | The sky in the planetarium dome: celestial coordinates, motion of the sky at night |
| Mon, Sept 15, HBH 223 (6-9 pm) | Properties of Light; spectroscopy; doppler shift; Universe in various wavelengths; introduction to parallax |
| Mon, Sept 22 HBH 223 (6-9 pm) | Calculations of distances using parallax and standard candles. Small-angle trigonometry. Activity: size and distance of the Moon. |
| Mon Sept 29, HBH 223 (6-9 pm) | More on celestial coordinates; Galactic coordinates and galactic rotation. |
| Mon Oct 6, HBH 223 (6-9 pm) | Cosmology and the Expansion of the Universe; "Missing Mass" |
| SATURDAY TBD, (if clear), starting 8 pm (Backup Date TBD) | OVERNIGHT at George Observatory, Brazos Bend State Park (bring sleeping bags and floor pads) |
| Mon Oct 13, HBH 223 (6-9 pm) (We will have class this day and will take our fall break on Oct 20) |
Review; quiz 1; Plan for Sally Ride Fest |
| Oct 25, Rice Engineering Quad, 10 am - 4 pm | Sally Ride Science Festival (help with event) |
| Mon Oct 27 | Birth and Life of Stars; H-R Diagram |
| Mon Nov 3 | More on Stars: Fusion, Corona, Solar flares |
| Mon Nov 10 | Death of Stars: red giants, planetary nebulae, white dwarfs |
| Mon Nov 17 | Search for Extrasolar planetary systems |
| Mon Nov 24 | Supernovas, neutron stars, Black Holes, wormholes and other exotic topics |
| Mon Dec 1 | Class presentations, review for Quiz (takehome quiz; take from Dec 10-17) |