Jayanne English's Information for PHYS 1810 Students Fall 2014

General Astronomy 1

(Updated Oct 19, 2014.)


See information about term test below under the "Test Information" heading.

Contact Information:
email: Jayanne_English@umanitoba.ca
Home Pages: http://www.physics.umanitoba.ca/~english/
Research Office:
Allen Room 514 Phone: 474-7105
Tutorial/Office Hours:
Allen Room 514, Monday at 3:00pm.
- Come anytime in this hour and ask the professor questions, get tips, have a group discussion, etc. (Or email to make an appointment.)
Laboratory Instructor: Mr. Ian Cameron, 474-9785, Ian.Cameron@umanitoba.ca
Lockhart Planetarium: 394 University College.


Websites:


Synopsis:

The topics covered in this course outline the properties of stars and galaxies that can be observed and the physics necessary to interpret these observations. It includes a brief introduction to planets, exotic stars, and cosmology. Using lectures and laboratory sections, it provides an astronomy background and introduction to the scientific method. It ranges from introductory physical background to considering current research problems. This course is mainly descriptive, taught at a qualitative level, with simple arithmetic and trigonometry used frequently. A few special sessions at Glenlea Observatory and the Lockhart Planetarium introduce the student to constellations and scientific method.

Students are expected to read material before coming to class. Readings will be assigned at lectures. General topics are listed below.

Textbook :

Grading

The final grade consists of the following components: In order to receive a grade for missed or late assignments, these must be submitted by the next laboratory session. Contact Mr. Cameron for details.

Test and Exam Information

Instead of focusing on the textbook, test and the final exam will be based on material presented in the lecture. No textbooks, cell phones or PDAs are permitted. Only specific non-programmable calculators can be used:
- Sharp EL-240SAB
- Sharp EL-510RNB
- TI-30XZ
- TI-30X IIS
Synonymous Sharp calculators are without the B on the end of sthe model name.
These are available in the Bookstore. Other calculators are not allowed. Also see General Test and Exam Information for other information.

Tentative Topic Outline:

Constellations, eclipses, and other features of the observable night sky will be covered in the tutorial and lab sections using the Robert J. Lockhart Planetarium and the Glenlea Astronomical Observatory. (See Mr. Cameron's Observing Sessions website.)
Material from parts of the following chapters, along with additional material, will be presented in class.
TopicReferences
Overview and Mathematics Background Chapter 1
Distances in Astronomy and Charting the Heavens; Constellations. Chapter 1; the Planetarium
Gravity, including General Relativity (GR)Chapters 2, 7.6, part of 22.6 (GR).
Radiation, Spectroscopy and an Overview of Telescopes Chapters 3, 4, 5
Our Solar System System and Planetary System Formation Chapters 6, 8.8, 15.2.
Other Planetary SystemsChapter 15
Our Sun Chapter 16
Stars and Stellar EvolutionChapters 17-21, 23.3 (Stellar populations)
A Brief Introduction to Black HolesChapter 22
The Milky Way GalaxyChapter 23
Hubble Classification and Hubble's LawChapter 24
Galaxies and Dark MatterChapter 25
An Introduction to CosmologyChapter 26
Possibly other topics of interestSupplemental material

Academic Policies

The Faculty of Science asks us to inform you that academic dishonesty has serious consequences. To learn how to avoid fraud, plagiarism, and inappropriate collaboration, as well as the consequences please visit:
Academic Dishonesty Guidelines and Penalties at http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/science/undergrad/resources/webdisciplinedocuments.html
Penalties for Academic Dishonesty. at http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/science/resources/Acad_Dishon_TABLE_RevCSS_AdminC_Jul2012_WEB.pdf
The Student Discipline Bylaw may be accessed http://umanitoba.ca/admin/governance/governing_documents/students/student_discipline.html

Student Affairs also has a page:
Honesty and Integrity at http://www.umanitoba.ca/student/resource/student_advocacy/index.html
How to avoid cheating and plagiarism -- take the Academic Honesty Quiz at http://umanitoba.ca/student/resource/student_advocacy/academic_honesty_quiz.html
And see the Course Credit and Changes to Fee Cancellation Policy and Practices document (last 2 sections).


Want to do more astronomy? Then check out: