3) In the paper, develop the chosen topic at the introductory undergraduate level with
references. Assume you are explaining the topic to a reader who can understand the basic
science, but needs the details explained to them to get a clear understanding. Good
examples of this type of paper can be found in Scientific American or Sky&Telescope
magazine. Include any graphs or figures needed to make your arguments clear. Cite the
sources for the graphs.
4) In the conclusion emphasize why the observations or the theories in the paper are
important to our understanding of stars, galaxies, or the universe as we know it today.
5) In your endnotes you must have at least 4 sources two of which must be non internet
sources: i.e. not a webpage but a book, magazine, or journal article. This can however
i
nclude publications that have been scanned and been made available on the web.
Category: Astronomy
Overview
Students will be watching presentations, completing reading assignments, and joining in a discussion during the class. In addition, students will be asked to provide written responses to four prompts directly related to the module materials.
Instructions
There are four Short Response assignments for the course. Each Short Response assignment has its own prompt and addresses a different topic related to the class. For each of the four Short Response assignments:
• The student must follow the specific guidance of the prompt.
• The student’s response must be between 200 and 300 words in total length.
• The student must use proper grammar, spelling and syntax, but there is no specific “style” requirement (MLA, APA, etc.).
• The student is only allowed one attempt. Edit and proof-read work carefully prior to submission.
• The student must submit the short response as a Word document.
Response Prompt
For this short response, imagine that we can break some of the laws of physics or use some futuristic technologies. If you could visit any object in our solar system, what would it be and why? Your response should be 200-300 words in length.
• Clearly identify the specific object (planet, moon, asteroid, comet, etc.) by name and general location within the solar system.
• Discuss why you chose the object. For example–What makes this object interesting to you? What would you hope to see or do there? Are there questions you think your visit might help to answer? Include relevant details about the object from the course as part of that discussion. If you choose to include any additional details from outside the course, cite the source(s). Note: citations are not part of the word-count requirement!
Do not exceed the word limit.
4 required sources.
Sources must be a reputable Authority on astronomy or physics (i.e., either the author of a published paper or book, or if a purely online source, an academic or journalist at a reputable publishing or academic Institution. Do not use information from blogs!!!
no more than four direct quotations and only two lines of the quotations. citations are a must, even when you are paraphrasing.
Describe how the Planetarium at Fayetteville State University proves the rotation of the Earth Write a one page paper that answers the following.
This already exists – where is it?
What of Newton’s laws apply, how?
Predict what is observed
How does this prove anything?
Does this work at North Pole? Equator?
It is a common graded assignment, consisting of 5 parts. Some parts are making a graph using given data, others are small essays of 400 or less words. I will attatch both the prompt and the rubic below.
Instructions:
1. Choose the time of day/night you will observe the Moon. Pick a time you can commit to for at
least 14 days.
2. Use a Moon calendar to select the dates you will make your observations. Be sure that the Moon
is visible (that is, risen but not set) during the time you selected in step 1.
3. Find a place to do your observations where the horizon is relatively unobscured toward the south.
Come back to this place each time you do an observation.
4. On a sheet of paper sketch what you see along the southern horizon, extending from west to east.
Draw in a horizontal and vertical scale in 10-degree increments.
5. Beginning on the date you chose in Step 2, do the following things each day for the next 14 days:
a. Measure the altitude and azimuth of the Moon.
b. Record these values in a table along with the date, time, Moon phase, and notes about the
conditions, your impressions, etc.
c. On your sketch, draw the Moon as it appears to you. Be sure to draw it at the correct location
based on its altitude and azimuth. Shade in the maria that you see. Write the date next to your
drawing.
6. Be sure to come back to the same place at the same time (no more than +/- 15 minutes) for
each observation.
7. If you happen to miss an observation, make a note of that in your table. Then try again the
following day. You need to have at least 12 successful observations.
What to turn in:
1. Your sketch showing the changing location and appearance of the Moon (minimum of successful
10 observations, all on the same sketch).
2. Your table with the date, time, altitude, azimuth, and phase of the Moon during your observa-
tions, as well as notes on your observations. Please type your table.
3. The answers to the following analysis questions. Please type your answers.
Analysis questions:
1. How many degrees did the Moon move along the horizon (east/west) each day? Give the mini-
mum and maximum amounts as well as the average.
2. How many degrees did the Moon move vertically (in altitude) each day? Give the minimum and
maximum amounts as well as the average.
3. Explain why the location of the Moon changes in the sky as viewed at the same time over the
course of your observations.
4. What did you learn by completing this project?
5. What was challenging about this project?
Your project is due on the last day of class. No late work will be accepted. (But you can certainly
turn in your work early.)
One final tip: Start your project early! The weather is unpredictable, and you don’t want to
lose points because you couldn’t make enough observations. (Former students say this is the most
important suggestion they would give to future students, and I agree.)
The purpose of this paper is to explore a topic of your choice related to astronomy, to its effect on our society, its importance for our future, or its role in the evolution of philosophical and religious ideas. The paper should be an independent piece of work that expresses your thoughts, backed by at 5 sources. The length of the paper should be between 5 to 7 pages. The cover page and the reference page do NOT count towards your 5-7 pages. Be sure to include citations throughout the paper, and remember to express your thoughts and opinions as well!
I put the content in PDF, I need AI detection report
The video need is Mythbusters Season 6 Episode 2, dealing with the moon landing.
Mythbusters Season 6 Episode 2 with subtitles dealing with the question of whether or not the moon landing was a hoax.
The video can be found on Google
Special Notice: Please only present your answers to the following questions in the drop box. This is only the question set. Do not place your answers on this page. Thanks!
Be sure to answer questions in your own words…
SETI ESSAY: For the following questions, provide an answer that is thoughtful and as specific as possible. Support your position with examples, facts or views that can be demonstrated from your class notes-Power point: Ordinary. Neatness and the correct use of grammar will be appreciated. The following is the question set. Please just send me your answers to each of the following questions (1-12). Pay special attention to the format of your answer to number one.
1. For each variable of the Drake equation, discuss two reasons why one would be optimistic for the variables evaluation and two reasons that make you less optimistic. (28 points)
The example for the first variable is shown below. Note the specific slide number notation-please include for full credit. You may copy and paste the Variable: The fraction of suitable stars answer below to your submitted work. Continue presenting your answer on a separate Microsoft word document with each variable thereafter with the template shown for the variable-The fraction of those stars with planetary systems
Variable: The fraction of suitable stars
Optimistic 1: Even if the fraction of suitable stars was small, the sheer enormity of the universe would make this number very large. (slide 12)
Optimistic 2: Stars have a long life span increases the odds that life would have the time to develop and exist elsewhere. Stars at high mass and temperature have short lived lives on the main sequence and produce large quantities of lethal radiation. The majority of stars are of the long life variety. (slide 15)
Pessimistic 1: Nearly 50% of the stars we see are members of multiple solar systems. (slide 22)
Pessimistic 2: Only a small fraction (4%) of the stars in the universe is of the same spectral class as our Sun. (slide 14)
Variable: The fraction of those stars with planetary systems
Optimistic 1:
Optimistic 2:
Pessimistic 1:
Pessimistic 2:
Other Variables: etc. NOTE: You must analyze the remaining variables for full credit (28 points) for this question to be completely answered.
2. Support your position with examples, facts or views that can be demonstrated from your class notes-Power point: Contact. Note the specific slide number notation-please include for full credit. What limitations make interstellar space travel difficult? In your answer, consider both high and low speed modes of travel. Discuss two obstacles for each way of travel. (4 points)
3. Summarize two points from the video below. (2 points)
View: Will We Ever Visit Other Stars?
4. Life seems to be built into the universe. Intelligent life appears to be rare. Peter Ward describes an idea that suggests that complex life is difficult to form on a planet. Specifically summarize his new view on past greenhouse mass extinction for our planet. (5 points)
View the TED video: Peter Ward: Earth’s mass extinctions
5. As intelligent life evolves on a planet it is likely to disturb the natural equilibrium of the planet’s environment. Civilizations will likely extract minerals etc. to transform their intellectual advancement and this has many consequences that impact the quality of the planet they inhabit. s intelligence emerges upon a planet the need to support a technological population calls us to examine how important it will be for them to be good stewards of their planet’s resources. They too must understand the interwoven complexities of all of their planet’s operational systems that make it an oasis in the cold and barren space they reside within. Our record on such an issue, noted Minnesotan, Thomas Friedman, reminds us is much to be desired. He observes, “It is no longer about the whales. It’s about us”. Summarize three points from the video below. (3 points)
View: Welcome to the Anthropocene
6. In our study we have been witness to the maturation of humanity. Knowing that our place in the universe is heliocentric and not geocentric is one measure of this intellectual growth. This seems to be one such marker by which other planetary civilizations could be also be judged. Our innate curiosity has also solved the problem of how our star generates its energy. From our present day scientific knowledge in many fields there are other numerous examples of our intellectual universe maturity.
How does the video below suggest a positive outcome from our cultural embrace of science and the resultant technological growth? (2 points)
View: Hans Rosling’s 200 Countries, 200 Years, 4 Minutes
7. In Brian Appleyard’s book Understanding the Present, he argues that science is socially and morally corrosive. In his view, it ruins the certainties that were in place that social life relied on for the past hundreds of centuries of our human history. It also appears to some observers that many of our current political world dialogues involve the conflict over fundamental beliefs and those represented by scientific modernity. Appleyard argues that the conflict of values seems to be split by those that embrace the success of science –its ability to “control” the world-and the loss of our ancient dependence on the spiritual life. He insists that it is the emotional content of our spiritual side that makes us human. Further he observes that with the advent of modern science, triggered by the Copernicus and Darwin revolutions, we have lost our sense of self and our purpose in life. As our discussion of the Drake Equation illustrated, cultural influences cannot be ignored as we consider a search for other sentient beings. Respond with a 100 word minimum personal reaction to Brian Appleyard’s conflict between awe and aha. (6 points)
8. Our biology reflects the abundance of the chemistry of the stars while our silicon based computers reflect the abundance of our earth’s surface. The aliens we imagine in our fiction generally reflect those based upon our chemistry. Researchers and futurists among us see a merger of chemistries in the world today and of the one in the near and long term future. Will advanced civilizations here and elsewhere be the result of this merger? (See web site video discussions in the power point-Contact) (3 points)
9a) Define Technological Singularity (1 point)
9b) How does the content of the above programs change your views of aliens and of our own species potential future? Limit your response between 100 and 250 words. (5 points)
10. In spite of some the major challenges that confront the establishment of intelligent life on a planet like ours, SETI science requires us to be optimists and like all science demands that such hunches require experimental results. What are some challenges confronting the Allen Array and what does it hope to accomplish? (3 points)
View: View: SETI Allen Telescope Array
11. Professor and author Paul Davies asserts that, “If we were to pick up a message from an alien civilization it would transform our world view beyond the discoveries of Copernicus and Galileo, Darwin and Einstein put together.” Do you agree or disagree with Davies’ assertion that receiving a message from an alien civilization would “transform our world view beyond the discoveries of Copernicus and Galileo, and Darwin and Einstein put together”? Briefly summarize a significant contribution each person Davies mentions and then state your rationale for your position. (10 points)
12. Carl Sagan reminds us, “Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” Define the Fermi Paradox and list two “filters” that may be solutions to this problem. (3 points)
View: The Fermi Paradox
13. Michael Michaud suggests, “Astronomy has revealed that the external universe is not a neutral background, but an active arena than can affect our lives, our history and our prospects.” Now that you have experience with this subject, please respond to his thought with a hundred word (minimum) personal reaction. Feel free to site specific examples of lessons (favorite topics) you learned from this semester of study. (5 points)
View: The Pale Blue Dot
Special Notice: Please only present your answers to the following questions in the drop box. This is only the question set. Do not place your answers on this page. Thanks!
Be sure to answer questions in your own words…
SETI ESSAY: For the following questions, provide an answer that is thoughtful and as specific as possible. Support your position with examples, facts or views that can be demonstrated from your class notes-Power point: Ordinary. Neatness and the correct use of grammar will be appreciated. The following is the question set. Please just send me your answers to each of the following questions (1-12). Pay special attention to the format of your answer to number one.
1. For each variable of the Drake equation, discuss two reasons why one would be optimistic for the variables evaluation and two reasons that make you less optimistic. (28 points)
The example for the first variable is shown below. Note the specific slide number notation-please include for full credit. You may copy and paste the Variable: The fraction of suitable stars answer below to your submitted work. Continue presenting your answer on a separate Microsoft word document with each variable thereafter with the template shown for the variable-The fraction of those stars with planetary systems
Variable: The fraction of suitable stars
Optimistic 1: Even if the fraction of suitable stars was small, the sheer enormity of the universe would make this number very large. (slide 12)
Optimistic 2: Stars have a long life span increases the odds that life would have the time to develop and exist elsewhere. Stars at high mass and temperature have short lived lives on the main sequence and produce large quantities of lethal radiation. The majority of stars are of the long life variety. (slide 15)
Pessimistic 1: Nearly 50% of the stars we see are members of multiple solar systems. (slide 22)
Pessimistic 2: Only a small fraction (4%) of the stars in the universe is of the same spectral class as our Sun. (slide 14)
Variable: The fraction of those stars with planetary systems
Optimistic 1:
Optimistic 2:
Pessimistic 1:
Pessimistic 2:
Other Variables: etc. NOTE: You must analyze the remaining variables for full credit (28 points) for this question to be completely answered.
2. Support your position with examples, facts or views that can be demonstrated from your class notes-Power point: Contact. Note the specific slide number notation-please include for full credit. What limitations make interstellar space travel difficult? In your answer, consider both high and low speed modes of travel. Discuss two obstacles for each way of travel. (4 points)
3. Summarize two points from the video below. (2 points)
View: Will We Ever Visit Other Stars?
4. Life seems to be built into the universe. Intelligent life appears to be rare. Peter Ward describes an idea that suggests that complex life is difficult to form on a planet. Specifically summarize his new view on past greenhouse mass extinction for our planet. (5 points)
View the TED video: Peter Ward: Earth’s mass extinctions
5. As intelligent life evolves on a planet it is likely to disturb the natural equilibrium of the planet’s environment. Civilizations will likely extract minerals etc. to transform their intellectual advancement and this has many consequences that impact the quality of the planet they inhabit. s intelligence emerges upon a planet the need to support a technological population calls us to examine how important it will be for them to be good stewards of their planet’s resources. They too must understand the interwoven complexities of all of their planet’s operational systems that make it an oasis in the cold and barren space they reside within. Our record on such an issue, noted Minnesotan, Thomas Friedman, reminds us is much to be desired. He observes, “It is no longer about the whales. It’s about us”. Summarize three points from the video below. (3 points)
View: Welcome to the Anthropocene
6. In our study we have been witness to the maturation of humanity. Knowing that our place in the universe is heliocentric and not geocentric is one measure of this intellectual growth. This seems to be one such marker by which other planetary civilizations could be also be judged. Our innate curiosity has also solved the problem of how our star generates its energy. From our present day scientific knowledge in many fields there are other numerous examples of our intellectual universe maturity.
How does the video below suggest a positive outcome from our cultural embrace of science and the resultant technological growth? (2 points)
View: Hans Rosling’s 200 Countries, 200 Years, 4 Minutes
7. In Brian Appleyard’s book Understanding the Present, he argues that science is socially and morally corrosive. In his view, it ruins the certainties that were in place that social life relied on for the past hundreds of centuries of our human history. It also appears to some observers that many of our current political world dialogues involve the conflict over fundamental beliefs and those represented by scientific modernity. Appleyard argues that the conflict of values seems to be split by those that embrace the success of science –its ability to “control” the world-and the loss of our ancient dependence on the spiritual life. He insists that it is the emotional content of our spiritual side that makes us human. Further he observes that with the advent of modern science, triggered by the Copernicus and Darwin revolutions, we have lost our sense of self and our purpose in life. As our discussion of the Drake Equation illustrated, cultural influences cannot be ignored as we consider a search for other sentient beings. Respond with a 100 word minimum personal reaction to Brian Appleyard’s conflict between awe and aha. (6 points)
8. Our biology reflects the abundance of the chemistry of the stars while our silicon based computers reflect the abundance of our earth’s surface. The aliens we imagine in our fiction generally reflect those based upon our chemistry. Researchers and futurists among us see a merger of chemistries in the world today and of the one in the near and long term future. Will advanced civilizations here and elsewhere be the result of this merger? (See web site video discussions in the power point-Contact) (3 points)
9a) Define Technological Singularity (1 point)
9b) How does the content of the above programs change your views of aliens and of our own species potential future? Limit your response between 100 and 250 words. (5 points)
10. In spite of some the major challenges that confront the establishment of intelligent life on a planet like ours, SETI science requires us to be optimists and like all science demands that such hunches require experimental results. What are some challenges confronting the Allen Array and what does it hope to accomplish? (3 points)
View: View: SETI Allen Telescope Array
11. Professor and author Paul Davies asserts that, “If we were to pick up a message from an alien civilization it would transform our world view beyond the discoveries of Copernicus and Galileo, Darwin and Einstein put together.” Do you agree or disagree with Davies’ assertion that receiving a message from an alien civilization would “transform our world view beyond the discoveries of Copernicus and Galileo, and Darwin and Einstein put together”? Briefly summarize a significant contribution each person Davies mentions and then state your rationale for your position. (10 points)
12. Carl Sagan reminds us, “Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” Define the Fermi Paradox and list two “filters” that may be solutions to this problem. (3 points)
View: The Fermi Paradox
13. Michael Michaud suggests, “Astronomy has revealed that the external universe is not a neutral background, but an active arena than can affect our lives, our history and our prospects.” Now that you have experience with this subject, please respond to his thought with a hundred word (minimum) personal reaction. Feel free to site specific examples of lessons (favorite topics) you learned from this semester of study. (5 points)
View: The Pale Blue Dot