Instructor:	Dave Robertson	E-mail:
Office:	Science 232	Telephone:	Office 823-1516
Secretary:	Diane Moore, 823-1316	FAX:	823-1968
Office hours:	TBA

PLACE: LeMay Auditorium TIME: MWF 9:30 - 10:50 AM (also T 5/28!)

TEXT: Astronomy, A Beginner's Guide to the Universe, 3^rd ed., by Eric Chaisson and Steve McMillan (Prentice Hall, 2001)

Also required: Course packet, available at the bookstore

On reserve at the library:

• the text
• Answers to end-of-chapter Review Questions and copies of old exams
• Astronomy Made Simple, by Michael Hamburg (Doubleday, 1993): includes star charts and a review guide.
• The Blair Handbook, by Toby Fulwiler and Alan R. Hayakawa (Prentice-Hall, 1997).

In ancient times, there were many practical reasons to study astronomy, since the motion of celestial bodies such as the sun and the moon were seen to govern things such as planting seasons, the alternation of day and night, and the tides. Today, many of us live in cities and are more isolated from nature, but we continue to learn about ways the outside universe affects the Earth, from the disruption of communication networks and power grids by solar flares, to the threat of an asteroid impact like the one that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. In addition, the technology to reach orbit above the Earth, now only about 40 years old, gives us the responsibility to decide how to use space: whether for military purposes, or worse - satellite TV transmission. Aside from such practical questions, the heavens have probably always inspired wonder and curiosity. As more and more powerful instruments have been used to see into the depths of the universe, our appreciation of its beauty and mystery has only increased. Today, more than ever before, astronomy offers vistas of stunning beauty and unimaginable immensity. Regarding humanity in this context gives usa new, cosmic perspective on ourselves, and on our place in the universe.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course aims to fulfill the following goals of the Integrative Studies curriculum:

• to give you some appreciation of humanity's quest to understand our universe and our place in it, and how that understanding has affected our conception of our own nature
• to expose you to creative and critical thinking as practiced in science, through the formulation and testing of hypotheses; and give you ways to think critically about political choices involving technological issues

ASSIGNMENTS, REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMS

Group discussions. On certain dates indicated in the lecture schedule, the class will divide into small groups to discuss articles about controversial issues related to astronomy or space science. Each group will hand in a brief summary of the results of the discussion.

Rooftop visit. [bonus credit] Attend one of the sessions at the Weitkamp Observatory on top of Otterbein's science building. You will be asked to write a brief description of what you observe. (You may substitute a visit to Perkins Observatory, the COSI planetarium, or a Star Talk at OSU for one rooftop visit. To receive substitute credit , you must bring back some form of proof that you attended, such as a cancelled ticket stub, or a program signed by the speaker, and write a paragraph describing the program.)

Constellation quiz. This year, the constellation quiz will be given in class (unlike previous years).

Homework questions are attached to the syllabus. Some homework questions are intended to give you a taste of working with astronomical data. Some questions ask for interpretation and analysis, and may have more than one good answer; don't expect to find all the answers in the textbook - that's not what science is about!

Answer each question fully, in your own words, and in your best writing style. (If you do quote from another source, you must cite the author.) Unless the question asks for a mere statement of fact, I expect you to justify the opinions you state - at least a full paragraph. You will be graded on the quality of the argument you use to back up your opinion, as well as grammar and writing style. The written part of your homework should be typed, double-spaced (graphs or tables may be handwritten). If your homework consists of more than one page, it should be stapled together.

The Skylab assignment will be handed out at the first lecture. Details of the assignment will be explained at the first class meeting.

Exams. The final exam is not comprehensive. It will cover only the material following the last midterm.

Math. There will be no calculations on any of the exams. However, some of the homework questions may involve graphing or the use of a calculator or spreadsheet. I will spend time in class making sure that you know how to do the assignments before they are due, and you are welcome to ask me for more help if you need it.

Weather. Do your Skylabs and rooftop observing as early in the quarter as you can. If you leave it until the end of the quarter and the weather turns bad, you will have no choice but to do the written assignments.

Assignments and exams will have the following weight in determining your final grade:

POLICY ON ABSENCE, LATE WORK, WORKING TOGETHER, AND USE OF SOURCES

1. Attendance. Attendance is required for tests and group discussions, and for the guest lecture. There are no make-up exams. If you have a legitimate, foreseeable reason that you must miss an exam during the term, you must contact me at least a week in advance to make alternative arrangements. If you unexpectedly miss an exam for a documented legal or medical reason, I will assign you the average score of your other exams. The policy for missed group discussions is the same as for midterm exams. Exceptions to the final exam schedule are allowed only by permission of the Academic Dean.

2. Late work. Assignments are due at the beginning of lecture on the day listed in the schedule, but you may also submit work to me beforehand, either in person, by e-mail or by FAX. Late assignments will lose 5% credit per day (not counting Saturday or Sunday), up to 50%. No work will be accepted after the final exam.

3. Working together. You are welcome, even encouraged, to discuss the homework together. However, I do require that you use your own words and draw your own graphs in any work you hand in. Any identical wording or graphs found in different papers will be severely penalized. Do not let anyone copy from you; as an accessory to cheating, you will be equally penalized. You must also cite any other sources you use. According to the Otterbein College Campus Life Handbook: "Any use of the words or ideas of someone else as though they were one's own constitutes plagiarism.... Direct quotations, however small, must be placed in quotation marks or indented beyond the regular margins, and their sources must be clearly identified.... The professor is encouraged to submit evidence of cheating and plagiarism to the confidential file maintained in the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs." Consult the Handbook for further information.

STUDY SUGGESTIONS

The best way to prepare for the exams is to review the study guides in the course packet, and the Learning Goals, Chapter Summary and Review Questions in the textbook. The answers to the Review Questions are on reserve at the library, but you should do your best to try to answer the questions on your own before you look up the answers. There are also copies of old exams on reserve at the library that you can look at to get a sense of the kind of questions I will ask. Often the question will tell you a fact and ask you to put it in context by saying what it explains, or how we know it. Many of my test questions are drawn from the Chapter Summary and Review Questions. 

I have placed some lecture notes on the web that you can use to fill in details you might miss in class, but they are not intended to substitute for taking your own notes. Some advice on how to take notes is included in the materials on the web.

LIST OF SUPPLEMENTARY READING

Readings included in the course packet:

1. Timothy Ferris,  "The Sun Worshippers," from The Culture of Science: Essays and issues for Writers, J. Hatton and P.B. Plouffe, eds., (MacMillan, NY: 1993).
2. Robert Naeye, "Was There Life on Mars?" Astronomy, Nov. 1996, p.46.
3. Leon Jaroff, "Dreadful Sorry, Clementine," Time, October 27, 1997,p.106.
4. Leon Jaroff, "Whew!" Time, March 23, 1998, p.69.
5. Matt Crenson, "Bigger Role in Climate is Ascribed to Sun," Columbus Dispatch, June 23, 1996, p. 6C.
6. John Carlisle and Adam Markham, "Global Warming: Is it Man-Made or Simply a Natural Occurrence?" Columbus Dispatch, July 10, 1998, p. 11A.
7. Robert Burns, "Will U.S. anti-missile system work?" Columbus Dispatch, March 23, 1999, p. 3A.
8. George N. Lewis, Theodore A. Postol, and John Pike, "Why National Missile Defense Won’t Work," Scientific American, August 1999, p. 36.
9. Jeane Kirkpatrick, "Target America," National Review, February 22, 1999, p.28.
10. Norman R. Augustine, "The Future of the US Space Program," The Planetary Report, March/April 1991, p.4.
11. Richard P. Feynman, "Mr. Feynman Goes to Washington," ed. Ralph Leighton, Engineering and Science, Fall 1987, p.6.
12. Carl Sagan, "Humans to Mars: Can We Justify the Cost?" The Planetary Report, January/February 1991, p.4.
13. David S.F. Portree, "The New Martian Chronicles," Astronomy, August 1997, p.32.
14. Robert Zubrin and David Baker, "Mars Direct: A Mission Made Possible by In Situ Propellant Production," The Planetary Report, January/February 1991, p.10.

Online readings:

1. "Chandra Celebrates Two Years On Orbit As Mission Doubled To 10 Years."
2. "NASA Scientist to See 22 Years Pay Off With Release of Images from World's Most Powerful X-ray Telescope."
3. "Chandra catches Milky Way monster snacking."
4. Carl Sagan, "Galileo: Launch or not to Launch?" Shorter version originally published as "Benefit outweighs risk: Launch Galileo Craft," USAToday, October 10, 1989.
5. Cassini mission: "Why go to Saturn?","Capsule Summary", "The Probe Mission"

SCHEDULE OF READINGS, ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES AND EXAMS

	LECTURE	READING	TOPIC	ASSIGNMENTS/EXAMS
	1. W Apr 3	Prologue P.1-2, P.5, Appendix 1-2	Introduction
	2. F Apr 5	P.3-4	Motion of the Sun, Moon, stars and planets
	3. M Apr 8	1	The Copernican revolution
	4. W Apr 10	Ferris	Scientific method	Discussion: Copernicus
	5. F Apr 12	2	Light	Homework #1 due
	6. M Apr 15	3; Online readings #1, 2, 3	Telescopes	Discussion: Chandra
	7. W Apr 17			EXAM on Part I
	8. F Apr 19	Skylab of your choice	workshop on Skylabs
	9. M Apr 22	18	Life in the Universe
	10. W Apr 24	Guest speaker: Charles Rubin, Duquesne University	"Are Human Beings Normal? SETI and the Assumption of Mediocrity"	Attendance required.
	11. F Apr 26	4.1-2; Jaroff (both)	Asteroids, comets and meteors	Discussion: Asteroid impacts
	12. M Apr 29	5.1-5	The Earth	CONSTELLATION QUIZ
	13. W May 1	5.6-8, 6.1-5	The Moon, Mercury and Venus
	14. F May 3	6.6-8; Naeye	Mars	Discussion: Life on Mars
	15. M May 6	7.1-4	Jupiter	Homework #2 due
	16. W May 8	7.5-6; 8.4; online readings #4, 5 a, b, c	Saturn, Uranus, Neptune	Discussion: Cassini
	17. F May 10			EXAM on Part II
	18. M May 13	9	The Sun
	19. W May 15	10	The stars
	20. F May 17	11.1-2; Crenson; Carlisle, Markham	Nebulae	Discussion: Global warming
	21. M May 20	1.3-5, 12.1-2	Birth of stars	Homework #3 due
	22. W May 22	12.3-6, 13.1-2, 13.4, 13.7	Death of stars; black holes
	23. F May 24			EXAM on part III
	24. M May 27		HOLIDAY - no lecture
	25. T May 28	15.5, 17.1-6	Galaxies	Discussion: "Star Wars"
	26. W May 29	14, 15.1-4; Burns; Lewis et al.; Kirkpatrick	The Big Bang
	27. F May 31	Augustine; Feynman	Space Flight	Discussion: Challenger Homework #4 due
	28. M Jun 3		Space program	Skylab due
	29. W Jun 5		Space politics
	30. F Jun 7	Sagan: ... Mars; Portree; Zubrin & Baker	Review.	Discussion: Mission to Mars.
	Monday, June 10, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.			FINAL EXAM (parts IV & V). Last chance to hand in late assignments.