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ASTR 1210: Introduction to the Sky and Solar System (Fall 2021)

                             Section 003 - Class number 11822     TuTh 12:30 - 1:45PM     

 

Lectures: This class will be held in-person from 12:30-1:45pm in Clark 107 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Instructor: Prof. Z. Li
Office: Room 268, Astronomy Building, 530 McCormick Road
Phone: 924-4886
email: ZL4H@virginia.edu
Office Hours: 2:00PM - 3:15PM  Tuesdays and Thursdays or by appointment through email, either in-person in the instructor's office or through zoom using the following link: http://https://virginia.zoom.us/j/96084623443?pwd=RFcybTczY0JoMmtFQUk1R2E0RktBZz09 (note: this link is for office hour only, not for lectures which will be held in-person).

Textbook: This semester, we are participating in the UVA Bookstore's inclusive access program. This means that you are automatically signed up to receive an online, electronic version of the textbook by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider and Voit “The Cosmic Perspective” (9th edition) that does NOT include access to MasteringAstronomy (which is not required for this class) through the class website on Collab (under the "UVa Bookstore Inclusive Access" tab). After September 7, your student account will be automatically charged $29.18. If you do not want to purchase this required textbook through the inclusive access program, you must opt out of the program in Collab. If you opt out by the deadline of September 7, your student account will not be charged. You also need access to the web-based iClicker Cloud (also known as REEF polling) for in-class exercises (the physical IClicker Remote may also be used but it is not preferred). The iClicker Cloud/REEF access can be purchased online at https://www.iclicker.com/pricing ($15.99 for 6 months). 

Mid-Term Quizzes and Final: There will be three mid-term quizzes, covering roughly materials in (1) Chapter 1 through 4, (2) Chapter 5 through 9, and (3) Chapter 10 through 11. They will be of the short answer, true-false, or multiple choice type. The final exam will be comprehensive, with some emphasis on subjects not covered in the quizzes (such as the extrasolar planets and life in the Universe). It will be approximately twice as long as a quiz and in the same general style.

Missed Quizzes: All mid-term quizzes must be taken at the scheduled time unless you submit a written excuse from your parent in case of family emergency or doctor in case of illness. For other cases, makeup quizzes will be given only at the discretion of the instructor. Contact the instructor before the test if you have a conflict.

 

Grading: The lowest grade of the three quizzes will be dropped.

                                                               Percent of the Grade
    In-Class Quizzes                                         25% each
    Final Exam                                                     35%
    Constellation Lab                                           5%
    Telescope Observing (for extra credit)           3%
    Classroom Clicker Exercises                        10%

Constellation Lab: All students must take the constellation identification quiz. To receive full credit, you must complete the quiz on or before Thursday, November 18. After this deadline and before the end of the semester, you can receive no more than half credit. There will be no exceptions to this deadline. It is in your best interest to take the quiz as early as possible. The quiz lab is open Mondays through Thursdays (9-10pm) on clear nights. You must sign up in advance through the following website:

https://saturn.astro.virginia.edu 

Telescope Observing: Telescope observing is optional for this class. You can receive extra credit for completing the telescope observing lab before or on the last day of the lab, Monday, December 6. The observing times are Monday and Thursday nights.  If you plan to do the observing lab, you will need to sign up in advance through the following website:

https://saturn.astro.virginia.edu 

Additional Observing Opportunities: There are public nights at the McCormick Observatory on the Grounds and the Fan Mountain Observing Station, 13 miles south of town. See the information sheet or contact Astronomy departmental office for schedule.

 

Classroom Clicker Exercises: During most classes, I will ask you to respond to a number of questions using the iClicker. I will use your responses to gauge the overall comprehension of the subject, and to clear up misunderstandings. You will receive 2 points for a correct answer and 1 point for an incorrect answer. Once you have earned 85 points, you will receive the full credit for the exercises and will not earn any additional credit. There will not be any makeup for missed questions. You may not use another student’s iClicker to answer questions for them. Answering questions for another student, whether they are present or absent, is a violation of the honor code.

Attendance Policy: While class attendance is not mandatory, it is in your best interest to attend regularly. You will be tested on material covered in the lectures, which may differ somewhat from the textbook in order and in emphasis. Past experience shows that there is a strong correlation between the final score and the number of lectures attended. You must attend all scheduled quizzes and the final.

Course Schedule: (attached below) While the schedule for lectures is tentative, the schedule for the in-class quizzes and the final exam is fixed.   

Honor Pledge: All the quizzes, classroom exercises, and the final must be done independently, except for the help from TAs in doing the constellation quiz and the telescope observing lab. All of the written work for credit should be pledged.

 

                                   TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

 Week 1: Overview and Syllabus (Ch. 1)
 Week 2: Discovering the Universe (Ch. 2)
 Week 3: The Science of Astronomy (Ch. 3)
 Week 4: Making Sense of the Universe (Ch. 4)

        FIRST IN-CLASS QUIZ – Tuesday, September 21

Week 5: Light and Matter (Ch. 5)
Week 6: Telescope (Ch. 6)
Week 7: Solar System Overview (Ch. 7)
Week 8: Origin of Solar System (Ch. 8)
Week 9: Planetary Geology I (Ch. 9)

      SECOND IN-CLASS QUIZ – Thursday, October 21

Week 10: Planetary Geology II (Ch. 9)
Week 11: Planetary Atmospheres  (Ch. 10)
Week 12: Jovian Planets (Ch. 11)

       THIRD IN-CLASS QUIZ – Tuesday, November 16

Week 13: Moons and Rings of Jovian Planets (Ch. 11)
Week 14: Asteroids, Comets and Pluto (Ch. 12)
Week 15: Extrasolar Planets (Ch. 13), Life in the Universe (Ch. 24) and The Sun (Ch.14, if time)

       FINAL EXAM – Thursday, December 16 (2:00 - 5:00PM)