Exam results will be posted this afternoon.
New optional assignment: LOOK at the moon over the next 3-4 evenings (or mornings)
1. Explain: When it's the brightest / why or how you can tell - evidence with shadows, etc. and how much they change over a 3-4 day period.
2. Explain: When the moon appears to be largest (you may have to look at the moon multiple times in the same evening
Bonus: Explain WHY the moon appears to change in size
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Tuesday Agenda - Test WED
Review materials in last week's post!
Click on the above link!
Pick up your self-quizzes from the beginning of the unit and compare your answers then to your understandings now... where have you learned the most? :)
(Coriolis effect question not relevant until Meteorology unit)
Reading/Discussion: Current Research - what is happening/will happen to the Universe?
Fun demonstration w/ momentum; contracting, spinning galaxy/solarsystem
Astronomy TGT Review game
Some videos you should definitely check out:
Charlieiscoollike:FunScienceSaturn
FunScience:Light
FunScience:TheMoon
Click on the above link!
Pick up your self-quizzes from the beginning of the unit and compare your answers then to your understandings now... where have you learned the most? :)
(Coriolis effect question not relevant until Meteorology unit)
Reading/Discussion: Current Research - what is happening/will happen to the Universe?
Fun demonstration w/ momentum; contracting, spinning galaxy/solarsystem
Astronomy TGT Review game
Some videos you should definitely check out:
Charlieiscoollike:FunScienceSaturn
FunScience:Light
FunScience:TheMoon
Friday, March 22, 2013
Star life cycle, Scale of the Universe. Test WED
Notes from today: additions to the notes on star types and the scale (our place) in the universe.
We also watched a video on the Powers of Ten by Eames (check it out on youtube if you missed class)
A prezi-style presentation of the same idea
See notes from earlier this week to get study material
We also watched a video on the Powers of Ten by Eames (check it out on youtube if you missed class)
A prezi-style presentation of the same idea
See notes from earlier this week to get study material
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Black Holes!
Today the big topic was black holes: what they are, why they are called what they are, and implications of their existence. We also discussed the crazy things that could happen if we were near one or affected by one or more (in a bad way). The obvious disclaimer is that no one has ever been killed by one, and we're likely not going to be either.
Generally, a black hole is an object that is small enough (small radius) and massive enough (usually more massive than our sun) such that the escape velocity (the speed needed to outpace gravity's pull on an object) is faster than the speed of light, the universal speed limit. When this happens, nothing, not even light, can escape. (black).
Black holes aren't really super black, however, as there is radiation emitted from events just outside them that we do "see" as x-rays or gamma ray bursts - (higher E, shorter wavelength than visible light)
Tomorrow's topic: Star types (part II) and the life cycle of stars... one outcome of which is to become a black hole.
START STUDYING!!!! THIS IS A BIG TEST COMING UP!!!! It is over two chapters; six weeks of study; it is worth as much as two normal tests!
See yesterday's post for study ideas.
Generally, a black hole is an object that is small enough (small radius) and massive enough (usually more massive than our sun) such that the escape velocity (the speed needed to outpace gravity's pull on an object) is faster than the speed of light, the universal speed limit. When this happens, nothing, not even light, can escape. (black).
Black holes aren't really super black, however, as there is radiation emitted from events just outside them that we do "see" as x-rays or gamma ray bursts - (higher E, shorter wavelength than visible light)
Tomorrow's topic: Star types (part II) and the life cycle of stars... one outcome of which is to become a black hole.
START STUDYING!!!! THIS IS A BIG TEST COMING UP!!!! It is over two chapters; six weeks of study; it is worth as much as two normal tests!
See yesterday's post for study ideas.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Exam Next Tuesday! Objectives, review ideas
We'll have our astronomy exam next Tuesday. Generally it will cover chapters 7 & 8, plus address your understanding and application of significant figures. This is our 2nd multi-chapter unit test this semester; you should start studying NOW.
I also would like to announce that if you did poorly on your Earth-Moon-Sun quiz then I am willing to submit the grade on your test (percentage) for that quiz as well; if you demonstrate with a higher grade that you have since learned the concepts involved. See me after tests are handed back if you want to use this option; I can't do all of them automatically.
Here are four things you should definitely do to review besides reviewing your notes and re-reading the chapter:
1: List of objectives officially covered in this unit (most are from Missouri, some are from me)
2: The Earth-Moon-Sun quiz constructed response that you already had (but all four classes' quizzes are here to practice!)
3: Upcoming TGT review game
3a. (here's the old version)
4: Also I would recommend doing the chapter reviews (red and blue sections) for both chapter 7 & 8. The answers are in my teacher's edition, which is in the classroom, available for you anytime, before school, in class, after school... No excuse to not try these out and check your answers.
I also would like to announce that if you did poorly on your Earth-Moon-Sun quiz then I am willing to submit the grade on your test (percentage) for that quiz as well; if you demonstrate with a higher grade that you have since learned the concepts involved. See me after tests are handed back if you want to use this option; I can't do all of them automatically.
Here are four things you should definitely do to review besides reviewing your notes and re-reading the chapter:
1: List of objectives officially covered in this unit (most are from Missouri, some are from me)
2: The Earth-Moon-Sun quiz constructed response that you already had (but all four classes' quizzes are here to practice!)
3: Upcoming TGT review game
3a. (here's the old version)
4: Also I would recommend doing the chapter reviews (red and blue sections) for both chapter 7 & 8. The answers are in my teacher's edition, which is in the classroom, available for you anytime, before school, in class, after school... No excuse to not try these out and check your answers.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Monday, 3-18 hmwk for Wed.
*Interested in doing some sky watching outside of class??? See Mr. Freeman for details - but the plan is to meet in Arnold Park next Tuesday at 7pm (close to sunset) to do some moon viewing with the telescope and hopefully have decent sky to look at Jupiter and do some star spotting and sharing information about various stars and constellations. Obviously dependent on weather; give Freeman your contact info. if interested.
Today in class: Finished video on Planets, discussed correct answers to homework turned in today, discussed boundaries of science and religion and that they don't have to clash with one another; they are different ways of knowing. Based on faith and belief or based on the evidence we have/ or can infer.
HMWK for Wednesday: Read p. 238-241, p. 241#1-7
Notes and discussion for tomorrow: Origins and Fate of the Universe
Today in class: Finished video on Planets, discussed correct answers to homework turned in today, discussed boundaries of science and religion and that they don't have to clash with one another; they are different ways of knowing. Based on faith and belief or based on the evidence we have/ or can infer.
HMWK for Wednesday: Read p. 238-241, p. 241#1-7
Notes and discussion for tomorrow: Origins and Fate of the Universe
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Edit to comet Panstarrs optional assignment
So... viewing for us is not as nice as it was in the Southern hemisphere. Some people have caught it with the naked eye around the (beautiful) moon this evening, but it's tough... so:
Research the comet's details as well as details about comets in general, including their composition, parts, and why/where the tail is seen from them.
Also, research the upcoming comet that *should* put on quite a show this fall and explain what to expect for viewers. Turn in by Tuesday.
AND another optional assignment:
Moon observations: Make an observation of the Moon daily (well, nightly,) starting this weekend and continuing for two weeks. Record every night:
Time of observation.
Weather conditions
Approx. angle you see the Moon relative to the horizon.
Sketch of the Moon and any craters that are visible, 1/4 page in size.
If the Moon is close to the horizon (less than 45 degrees), is it East or West? You can hopefully tell due to the recent sunset or by how the Moon is lit.
Ex. tonight I saw the moon at about 7:30 at 30 degrees high in the sky. Skies were clear. Moon was in the West.
(quarter page sketch of Moon lit barely from the bottom, with a good deal of Earthshine illuminating the dark part of the Moon)
Research the comet's details as well as details about comets in general, including their composition, parts, and why/where the tail is seen from them.
Also, research the upcoming comet that *should* put on quite a show this fall and explain what to expect for viewers. Turn in by Tuesday.
AND another optional assignment:
Moon observations: Make an observation of the Moon daily (well, nightly,) starting this weekend and continuing for two weeks. Record every night:
Time of observation.
Weather conditions
Approx. angle you see the Moon relative to the horizon.
Sketch of the Moon and any craters that are visible, 1/4 page in size.
If the Moon is close to the horizon (less than 45 degrees), is it East or West? You can hopefully tell due to the recent sunset or by how the Moon is lit.
Ex. tonight I saw the moon at about 7:30 at 30 degrees high in the sky. Skies were clear. Moon was in the West.
(quarter page sketch of Moon lit barely from the bottom, with a good deal of Earthshine illuminating the dark part of the Moon)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Tues, 3-12 Look for the comet tonight!
Due Monday, 3-15: Both optional assignments
AND
HMWK read p. 223-237; p. 229# 1-3, 5-7 and Compare / Contrast the Mars Curiosity mission with the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. AND P. 237#1-6.
Work on this early before the break and you won't have it hanging over your head this Sunday please!
Today in class: most classes got to some demonstrations on why the sky is blue (at least during the day it appears so) and why the sun looks yellow, why sunrise/set and moonrise/set and lunar eclipses look yellow, orange, or red... scattering of light that takes place first on the violet end of the spectrum, but if light passes through more atmosphere, then more scattering takes place with other colors.
The sky is blue and not violet because:
1) we can't see violet very well with our eyes; it is violet... at least at high altitudes it looks close.
2) by the time light reaches the Earth's surface, much of the violet has been scattered so much that it has been absorbed by the atmosphere.
The sun looks red because:
If the blue light is scattered into the atmosphere, we see (white - blue ) = yellow. I will verify this with some artificial lights when we study waves at the end of the semester.
The sunrise/set and moonrise/set look orange because:
As light comes in at an angle to Earth's surface at these times, it passes through a much larger layer of atmosphere (think of cutting a loaf of bread straight down vs. an angle; the angle cut results in a much longer cut). The greater distance results in greater interaction and scattering, leaving less blue and green light, leaving mostly red. This can be enhanced by more particles in the air (smog) or after a big volcanic eruption.
The eclipsed moon appears red or orange because as light passes through the Earth's atmosphere, it is turned red... again with the scattering. Light also is bent due to slowing down as it moves into the atmosphere, acting as a lens to move light around the Earth, illuminating the otherwise shadowed moon.
We also used liquid crystal thermal - sheets to simulate seasons in most classes and started a demonstration or two about the Doppler Effect, which is the shortening or lengthening of wavelengths based on velocity of an object emitting any type of wave. (we can only do it with water and sound in class, but things moving really fast relative to us (stars) can do it with light).
AND
HMWK read p. 223-237; p. 229# 1-3, 5-7 and Compare / Contrast the Mars Curiosity mission with the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. AND P. 237#1-6.
Work on this early before the break and you won't have it hanging over your head this Sunday please!
Today in class: most classes got to some demonstrations on why the sky is blue (at least during the day it appears so) and why the sun looks yellow, why sunrise/set and moonrise/set and lunar eclipses look yellow, orange, or red... scattering of light that takes place first on the violet end of the spectrum, but if light passes through more atmosphere, then more scattering takes place with other colors.
The sky is blue and not violet because:
1) we can't see violet very well with our eyes; it is violet... at least at high altitudes it looks close.
2) by the time light reaches the Earth's surface, much of the violet has been scattered so much that it has been absorbed by the atmosphere.
The sun looks red because:
If the blue light is scattered into the atmosphere, we see (white - blue ) = yellow. I will verify this with some artificial lights when we study waves at the end of the semester.
The sunrise/set and moonrise/set look orange because:
As light comes in at an angle to Earth's surface at these times, it passes through a much larger layer of atmosphere (think of cutting a loaf of bread straight down vs. an angle; the angle cut results in a much longer cut). The greater distance results in greater interaction and scattering, leaving less blue and green light, leaving mostly red. This can be enhanced by more particles in the air (smog) or after a big volcanic eruption.
The eclipsed moon appears red or orange because as light passes through the Earth's atmosphere, it is turned red... again with the scattering. Light also is bent due to slowing down as it moves into the atmosphere, acting as a lens to move light around the Earth, illuminating the otherwise shadowed moon.
We also used liquid crystal thermal - sheets to simulate seasons in most classes and started a demonstration or two about the Doppler Effect, which is the shortening or lengthening of wavelengths based on velocity of an object emitting any type of wave. (we can only do it with water and sound in class, but things moving really fast relative to us (stars) can do it with light).
Monday, March 11, 2013
Hmwk due tomorrow! EM spectrum, new HMWK for Monday
Today: looked at NASA's view of today's sunspots (hope to see for real again on Wed.)
- saw the movement of spots from Thursday - Friday - today: moving across the Sun which was used to show that the Sun does rotate once every 24.5 Earth days.
Notes about EM spectrum
Tomorrow: Doppler, light intensity and distance from a star, and finally, WHY is the sky blue? as well as finishing the video on the planets and answers to homework.
Wed.: Telescopes, Liquid Crystal sheets and seasons, and more sunspot notes.
Due tomorrow: read 218-222, p. 222#1,2-6
Due Monday, 3-15: Both optional assignments
AND
read p. 223-237; p. 229# 1-3, 5-7 and Compare / Contrast the Mars Curiosity mission with the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. AND P. 237#1-6.
Work on this early before the break and you won't have it hanging over your head this Sunday please!
- saw the movement of spots from Thursday - Friday - today: moving across the Sun which was used to show that the Sun does rotate once every 24.5 Earth days.
Notes about EM spectrum
Tomorrow: Doppler, light intensity and distance from a star, and finally, WHY is the sky blue? as well as finishing the video on the planets and answers to homework.
Wed.: Telescopes, Liquid Crystal sheets and seasons, and more sunspot notes.
Due tomorrow: read 218-222, p. 222#1,2-6
Due Monday, 3-15: Both optional assignments
AND
read p. 223-237; p. 229# 1-3, 5-7 and Compare / Contrast the Mars Curiosity mission with the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. AND P. 237#1-6.
Work on this early before the break and you won't have it hanging over your head this Sunday please!
Friday, March 8, 2013
COMET Panstarrs viewing starts this weekend
**Comet optional assignment:** catch a photo (must be your own) of this comet in the next week and turn it in electronically (email or bring on a flash drive) to Freeman along with a written description that is not plagiarized of how we think comets move, parts of the comet and how big we think this one is, and why/how the tail points out from it, plus details you find interesting as well. Present your photo and your research to class on Monday, 3/18.
** if you have no access to a nice camera that can pick up the comet well, you may submit a video of you describing where you see it in the sky, or pointing to it with your finger to help explain where you see it, even if the camera doesn't show it well.
** if you have no access to a nice camera that can pick up the comet well, you may submit a video of you describing where you see it in the sky, or pointing to it with your finger to help explain where you see it, even if the camera doesn't show it well.
hmwk for Tues, Notes/activities, optional assign.
HMWK for Tuesday: Read p. 218-222, 222#1, 2-6 Due Tuesday.
Today: Notes: Our Sun, Star Types, Our Sun Continued (finish Monday)
plus looking at the sun and sunspots, spectroscopes.
Optional assignment : blackbody radiation Due Monday, 3-18
Today: Notes: Our Sun, Star Types, Our Sun Continued (finish Monday)
plus looking at the sun and sunspots, spectroscopes.
Optional assignment : blackbody radiation Due Monday, 3-18
Monday, March 4, 2013
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