Wed., Jan. 25, 2012

Final Exam
Leave your journal in the cabinet
You may pick them up anytime after Tuesday

Tues., Jan. 24, 2012

Opening Data:
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Announcements: Leave your journal in the
cabinet after your final exam.
Luminosity & solar radius
You should now be working on:
HR Diagram Questions - I will grade these
from your journals when I evaluate them

Mon., Jan. 23, 2012

Opening Data: Comets & Asteroids
ring nebula, zodiacs, circumpolar
constellations and the ecliptic
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars

Luminosity & solar radius
You should now be working on:
HR Diagram Questions

Wed., Jan. 18, 2012

Opening Data: Planisphere Playing
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Have you finished graphing stars???
Temperature & Color
Luminosity & solar radius
Label the main sequence
Label the sun and Capella
HR Diagram Video
What the HR Diagram tells us about star
lifecycle and progression
You should now be working on:
HR Diagram Questions

Mon., Jan. 16, 2012

Opening Data:
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Have you finished graphing stars???
Temperature & Color
Luminosity & solar radius
Label the main sequence
Label the sun and Capella
HR Diagram Video
What the HR Diagram tells us about star
lifecycle and progression
You should now be working on:
HR Diagram Questions

Fri., Jan. 13, 2012

Opening Data: Kepler - Dec. 8
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Have you finished graphing stars???
Temperature & Color
Luminosity & solar radius
Label the main sequence
Label the sun and Capella
HR Diagram Video
What the HR Diagram tells us about star
lifecycle and progression
You should now be working on:
HR Diagram Questions

Thurs., Jan. 12, 2012

Opening Data: List the forms of light
in the EM spectrum from the highest
energy to the lowest energy.
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Have you finished graphing stars???
Temperature & Color
Luminosity & solar radius
Label the main sequence
Label the sun and Capella
HR Diagram Video
What the HR Diagram tells us about star
lifecycle and progression
You should now be working on:
HR Diagram Questions

Wed., Jan. 11, 2012

Opening Data: List the 4 brightest stars in
the northern sky and the constellations they
are a part of.
Extra credit?
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Have you finished???
Temperature & Color
Color the background of the graph with
apparent color of the stars
Luminosity & solar radius
Label the main sequence
Label the sun and Capella
HR Diagram Video
What the HR Diagram tells us about star
lifecycle and progression
You should now be working on:
HR Diagram Questions

Tues., Jan. 10, 2012

Opening Data: What will be the succession
stages of our sun, Sol, be as it approaches it's
death?
Extra credit?
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Finish plotting star positions on graph...
Basic Data (handout)
White Dwarf Data
Add the following to your graph...

• Temperature & Color
• Color the background of the graph with
• apparent color of the stars
• Luminosity & solar radius
• Label the main sequence
• Label the sun and Capella
• Circle and label the white dwarfs,
• the red giants, super giants

Mon., Jan. 9, 2012

Opening Data: What causes the seasons
on the earth? Full explanation please.
Anybody else have extra credit?
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Finish plotting star positions on graph...
Basic Data (handout)
White Dwarf Data
Add the following to your graph...

• Temperature & Color
• Color the background of the graph with
• apparent color of the stars
• Luminosity & solar radius
• Label the main sequence
• Label the sun and Capella
• Circle and label the white dwarfs,
• the red giants, super giants

Fri., Jan. 6, 2012

Opening Data: A new star classification
mnemonic: Only Bad Astronomers Feel
Good Keeping Moonrocks, Lanae Thinks
Don't forget your extra credit opportunity!
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Introduction to Star Plotting assignment
Basic Data (handout)
White Dwarf Data
Graph starter...

Thurs., Jan. 5, 2012

Opening Data: List the star types from coolest
to hottest starting with t-type stars
Don't forget your extra credit opportunity!
Star lifecycle is based on mass
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Announcements: Notebooks will be handed
in on Friday, Jan. 13
Reports on research
Where are the green stars?

Graphing...
Introduction to Star Plotting assignment
Basic Data (handout)
White Dwarf Data
Graph starter...

Wed., Jan. 4, 2012

Opening Data: Only Bumbling Astronomers
Forget Generally Known Mnemonics (L & T)
Don't forget your extra credit opportunity!
Star lifecycle is based on mass
Objectives: Synthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Announcements:
Hand in: Holiday extra credit

Tues., Jan. 3, 2012

Welcome Back!
Opening Data: Solstices and perihelion
This year...& others
Temperature & colors of stars
Objectives: ynthesize an explanation for
the shape of the HR diagram and predict
temperature, color, age & composition of
stars
Announcements: Holiday extra credit
Is due tomorrow at beginning of class

Fri., Dec. 16, 2011

Merry Christmas!
Opening Data: Einstein's theory of
relativity (Part 3)
Part 4
Objectives: Speed of light as a limit
and some of it's wiered results
Announcements: Holiday extra credit
Confirmed!?
Skeptic's Guide to the Universe -
Nov. 26, 2011 @ 19:37

Thurs., Dec. 15, 2011

Opening Data:
Too cold - went to library

Wed., Dec. 14, 2011

Opening Data: Einstein's theory of
relativity (Part 3)
Part 4
Objectives: Speed of light as a limit
and some of it's
Announcements:
Speed of Light
Netrino's found to travel faster
than the speed of light
Video - effects of this discovery
Confirmed!?
Skeptic's Guide to the Universe -
Nov. 26, 2011 @ 19:37

Tues., Dec. 13, 2011

Opening Data: Einstein's theory of
relativity (Part 1)
Part 2
Objectives: Speed of light as a limit
and some of it's
Announcements:
Speed of Light
Netrino's found to travel faster
than the speed of light
Video - effects of this discovery
Confirmed!?
Skeptic's Guide to the Universe -
Nov. 26, 2011 @ 19:37

Mon., Dec. 12, 2011

Opening Data: Why do astronomer's
believe dark matter exists?
Objectives: Describe the variety of
methods astronomers use to measure
the distances between objcets in space.
Methods of measuring vast
distances in space

Parallax in astronomy
Bohr model of the atom

Thurs., Dec. 8, 2011

Opening Data: C
Objectives: Describe the accelerated expansion
of the universe
Announcements: I
Doppler effect
so you hear...
Doppler effect in astronomy

Dark matter & dark energy
3-D Dark matter map

Bohr model of the atom

Wed., Dec. 7, 2011

Opening Data: Composition of the Universe
Objectives: Describe the accelerated expansion
of the universe
Announcements: I
Doppler effect
so you hear...
Doppler effect in astronomy

Dark matter & dark energy
3-D Dark matter map

Bohr model of the atom

Tues., Dec. 6, 2011

Opening Data: Expanding universe
Objectives: Describe the accelerated expansion
of the universe
Announcements:
Bohr model of the atom

Mon., Dec. 5, 2011

Opening Data: 3D Vesta
Objectives: Observe spectral ident-
ification for some elements
Build a device to analyze atomic spectra
Announcements: If you want credit
for making a spectroscope you have
to finish it today
Bohr model of the atom
Construct a cereal box spectroscope

Fri., Dec. 2, 2011

Opening Data: Get right to work!
Objectives: Observe spectral ident-
ification for some elements
Build a device to analyze atomic spectra
Announcements:
Prelab: Flame Tests & Atomic Spectra
Construct a cereal box spectroscope

Thurs., Dec. 1, 2011

Opening Data: Safety issues in this lab
Objectives: Observe spectral ident-
ification for some elements
Build a device to analyze atomic spectra
Announcements: Did you bring your cereal box?
Prelab: Flame Tests & Atomic Spectra
Construct a cereal box spectroscope

Wed., Nov. 30, 2011

Opening Data: Safety issues in this lab
Objectives: Observe spectral ident-
ification for some elements
Build a device to analyze atomic spectra
Announcements: Did you bring your cereal box?
Prelab: Flame Tests & Atomic Spectra
Construct a cereal box spectroscope

Tues., Nov. 29, 2011

Mon., Nov. 28, 2011

Opening Data: Spectra of elements
(tinyurl.com/shafferspectra2)
Objectives: Build a device to analyze atomic spectra
Announcements: Did you bring your cereal box?
Prelab: Flame Tests & Atomic Spectra
Complete Bohr model of the atom
Construct a cereal box spectroscope

Fri., Nov. 18 2011

Opening Data: New evidence of liquid
water on Europa
Objectives: Explain how spectra can be used
to identify elements
Announcements: Did you bring your cereal box?
Using cereal boxes Monday after
thanksgiving so that is your last
opportunity to get those points
EM around you

Prep for flame test lab
Bohr model of the atom

Thurs., Nov. 17, 2011

Opening Data: Electromagnetic Spectrum
Objectives: Explain how the spectrum of stars
tell us what they are made of (stage of life)
Announcements: Need cereal box by Tomorrow
EM Spectrum, visible light & stellar spectra
Diffraction Gratings and elemental spectra
Flame test pre-lab

Wed., Nov. 16, 2011

Opening Data: Forms of light our eyes can't see
Objectives: Describe the motion of planets
Announcements: Do you have your cereal box yet?
Stars change as they convert their hydrogen to
helium
Stellar Evolution - Video (Universe: 0107-0111)
Diffraction Gratings and elemental spectra
Classes of Stars and their spectral signatures

Thurs., Nov. 9, 2011

Opening Data: Processes that happen in
stars, Part 2
Objectives: Describe the motion of planets
Announcements: I will be collecting
notebooks to grade the Kepler's law activities
on Wed.
You are done with Kepler's 1st law (homework)
Finish Kepler's 2nd & Third Laws Activity

Wed., Nov. 9, 2011

Opening Data: Processes that happen in
stars, Part 1
Objectives: Describe the motion of planets
Announcements: Check your grade
Have I evaluated YOUR journal?
Notebook table of Contents
You are done with Kepler's 1st law (homework)
Finish (or start) Kepler's 2nd & Third Laws Activity
Diagram for Kepler's 2nd & 3rd

Tues., Nov. 8, 2011

Opening Data: Aircraft carrier-sized asteroid
"buzzes" Earth right now!
Habitable zone of stars (aka: "Goldilocks zone")
Gleise 581
Objectives: Describe the motion of planets
Announcements: Did I evaluate YOUR journal?
Notebook table of Contents
Finish Kepler's 2nd & Third Laws Activity
Diagram for Kepler's 2nd & 3rd

Mon., Nov. 7, 2011

Opening Data: Kepler Mission
Objectives: Describe the motion of planets
Announcements: Continuing evaluation of
notebooks today and tomorrow
Notebook table of Contents
Begin Kepler's 2nd & Third Laws Activity
Diagram for Kepler's 2nd & 3rd

Fri., Nov. 4, 2011

Opening Data: ???
Discussion of energy futures,
life expectancy, social responsibility,

Thurs., Nov. 3, 2011

Opening Data: Exoplanets
Objectives: Describe the motion of planets
Announcements: Continuing evaluation of
notebooks today and tomorrow
Notebook table of Contents
Begin Kepler's 2nd & Third Laws Activity
Diagram for Kepler's 2nd & 3rd

Wed., Nov. 2, 2011

Opening Data: None
Objectives: Describe the motion of planets
Announcements: Continuing evaluation of
notebooks today and tomorrow
Notebook table of Contents
Finish Kepler's first law activity
Begin Kepler's 2nd & Third Laws Activity
Diagram for Kepler's 2nd & 3rd

Tues., Nov. 1, 2011

Opening Data: Notebook table of Contents
Objectives: Describe the motion of planets
Announcements: Evaluating notebooks today
and tomorrow (until I'm done)
Kepler's first law activity
Finish Kepler's 2nd & Third Laws Activity
Diagram for Kepler's 2nd & 3rd

Mon., Oct. 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Opening Data: Can you find the height
of the tree? How do you set up the math?

Objectives: Describe the paths of the planets
Announcements: Apollo 13 questions are now
past due and are homework
Finish Kepler's first law activity
Kepler's 2nd & Third Laws Activity
Diagram for Kepler's 2nd & 3rd

Fri., Oct. 28, 2011

Opening Data: Ellipses
Objectives: Describe the paths of the planets
Announcements: Apollo 13 questions are
due today
Finish the Apollo 13 In depth questions (deep,
complete answers please)
Each one should be a couple of paragraphs
Get your answers evaluated
Kepler's first law activity

Thurs., Oct. 27, 2011

Opening Data: Voyager and the "golden record"
Sights & Sounds of Earth
Objectives: Communicating with alien life?
Announcements: Last day for Apollo 13 Qs
Where is Voyager now?
Finish the Apollo 13 In depth questions (deep,
complete answers please)
Each one should be a couple of paragraphs
Get your answers evaluated

Wed., Oct. 26, 2011

Opening Data: A message from Carl
Objectives: Evaluate the impact of the
Apollo program on American culture
Announcements: Get your knowledge level
questions evaluated
Finish the In depth questions (deep, complete
answers please)
Each one should be a couple of paragraphs
Get your answers evaluated

Tues., Oct. 25, 2011

Opening Data: Nebulae...1...2...3...4...5
Objectives: Examine some problems with
space flight & how problems can be solved by
group effort
Announcements: Show me your knowledge
level questions as soon as you finish them
Finish the Movie: Apollo 13 (Knowledge level questions to be answered while the movie
is playing)
In depth questions (deep, complete answers
please) Each one should be a couple of paragraphs

Mon., Oct. 24, 2011

Opening Data: Gravitational lensing

Objectives: Examine some problems with
spce flight & how problems can be solved by
group effort
Announcements: Show me your knowledge
level questions as soon as you finish them
Finish the Movie: Apollo 13 (Knowledge level questions to
be answered while the movie is playing)
In depth questions (deep, complete answers
please) Each one should be a couple of paragraphs

Fri., Oct. 21, 2011

Opening Data: How does more gravity affect
shape of space-time?
Objectives: Examine some problems with
spce flight & how problems can be solved by
group effort
Announcements: Show me your knowledge
level questions as soon as you finish them
Movie: Apollo 13 (Knowledge level questions to
be answered while the movie is playing)
In depth questions (deep, complete answers
please) Each one should be a couple of paragraphs

Thurs., Oct. 20, 2011

Opening Data: Gravity can bend space-time
Objectives: Examine some problems with
spce flight & how problems can be solved by
group effort
Announcements: Show me your knowledge
level questions as soon as you finish them
Movie: Apollo 13 (Knowledge level questions to
be answered while the movie is playing)
In depth questions (deep, complete answers
please) Each one should be a couple of paragraphs

Wed., Oct. 19, 2011

Opening Data: Gravitational Lensing
Objectives: Examine some problems with
spce flight & how problems can be solved by
group effort
Announcements:
Movie: Apollo 13 (Questions to be answered
while the movie is playing)
In depth questions (deep, complete answers
please)

Tues., Oct. 18, 2011

Opening Data: Houston, we have a problem

• We choose to go to the moon...
  

• President John F. Kennedy
• History of Apollo missions
  

Objectives: Examine some problems with
spce flight & how problems can be solved by
group effort
Announcements:
Movie: Apollo 13 (Questions to be answered
while the movie is playing)

Mon., Oct. 17, 2011

Opening Data: Weirdest things in space

Objectives: Review concepts so far
Planishere practice
Announcements: Grades & such

Practicing with your planisphere

Try these
and these

Wed., Oct. 12, 2011

Opening Data: Quirks & Quarks-Black
holes questions (5:28 at 19:53)

Objectives: Star life cycles depends on
it's mass.
Announcements: Notebooks! If I don't
evaluate yours today, leave it on the counter.
Video: Universe

Tues., Oct. 11, 2011

Opening Data:  Black holes 'n' Stuff

Objectives:  Planishere practice

Announcements:  Notebooks!

 Practicing with  your planisphere

Try these 
and these 

Mon., Oct. 10, 2011

Opening Data:  Is your planisphere complete?

Announcements:  I am evaluating journals 
and assignments starting tomorrow--have 
everything done, organized & in your journal

• Constellation star maps & questions are complete and taped in your journal 
• Planet Data Questions are complete 

Objectives:  

Being able to predict star and 

constellation locations in the sky

Learn to use your plansiphere

to predict the locations of stars 

and constellations in the 
changing sky

Fri., Oct. 7, 2011

Opening Data:  Sun cycles & Events

• Sunspots
• Sunspot Cycle
• Solar Flares
• Classification
•  Solar Prominences & Solar Filaments    

Objectives:   Understand the 

relationships between solar events

Being able to predict star and 

constellation locations in the sky

Announcements:  Constellation 
star maps & questions are complete 
and taped in your journal

Planet Data Questions are complete

Learn to use your plansiphere
to predict the locations of stars 
and constellations in the 
changing sky 

Thurs., Oct. 6, 2011

Opening Data:  A Comet & CME 
on the sun?

Objectives:  Being able to predict 
star and constellation locations in 
the sky

Announcements:  Constellation star 
maps & questions are complete and 
taped in your journal

Planet Data Questions are complete

Build a planisphere and learn to use 
it to predict the locations of stars 
and constellations in the changing sky

Wed., Oct. 5, 2011

Opening Data: Speed of Light, c = 3.0 x 10^8 m/s
Scientists find particles that seem 
to travel faster than the speed of light

Objectives:  Study planet data and compare

Announcements:  Last Day in class to work on constellation maps and planet data sheets

1.

Constellation Mapping/Bright Star Lab
Star map

Answer the questions in your journal
2.

Planet Data
Planet Questions
3.

Construct a planisphere
4.
Identifying things in space

Tues., Oct. 4, 2011

Opening Data: APOD--add this address to you
list of cool/important/useful websites

Objectives:  Study planet data and compare

Announcements:  Journals-Table o' Contents

1.

Constellation Mapping/Bright Star Lab
Star map

Answer the questions in your journal
2.

Planet Data
Planet Questions
3.

Construct a planisphere
4.
Identifying things in space

Mon., Oct. 3, 2011

Opening Data: M

Objectives:  Survival Activity

Announcements:  

Substitute:  Down on the moon activity

Fri., Sept. 30, 2011

Opening Data: More on the Oort cloud

Objectives:  Study planet data and compare

Announcements:  Journals-Table o' Contents

1. 
Constellation Mapping/Bright Star Lab
Star map
Answer the questions in your journal
2.

Planet Data
Planet Questions
3.

Construct a planisphere
4.
Identifying things in space

Thurs., Sept. 29, 2011

Opening Data: Outer(really outer) Solar System

Objectives:  Study planet data and compare

Announcements:  Journals-Table o' Contents

1.

Constellation Mapping/Bright Star Lab
Star map

Answer the questions in your journal
2.

Planet Data
Planet Questions
3.

Construct a planisphere
4.
Identifying things in space

Wed., Sept. 28, 2011

Opening Data: Dwarf planets & other stuff

Objectives:  Study planet data and compare

Announcements:  Journals-Table o' Contents

1.

Constellation Mapping/Bright Star Lab
Star map

Answer the questions in your journal
2.

Planet Data
Planet Questions
3.

Construct a planisphere
4.
Identifying things in space

Tues., Sept. 27, 2011

Opening Data: Solar System Sizes

Objectives:  Study planet data and compare

Announcements:  I will collect journal next week
1.

Constellation Mapping/Bright Star Lab
Star map

Answer the questions in your journal 
  2.

Planet Data
Planet Questions
3.
Construct a planisphere
Identifying things in space