I plan to use this blog mostly in association with my Astronomy class at Utah Valley University. This class is listed both as Astro 1040 and Phys 1040 and is a non-major, non-math Survey of Astronomy.
Wehave begun the Oral Reports. If I have a coment it would be to put more into content and less into show. The Powwer Point presentations are nice but I don't want you to feel you have to do a fancy 'Show & Tell'. These reports are both for you to learn more about a subject in some depth and for the class to get another point of view not just what I say in class. If you want to just read your report in class that is fine.
There is always a concern about the 1st Homework assignment. There are some things to remember: (1)the world is about 24,000 miles around. If you are getting something very far from that look to the angle you are measuring. You want the number of degrees from 90 not from 0. (2)Make sure you are looking at the right star. The North Star is north, that seems fundamentle but some students don't realize that. If you are still having trouble finding the North Star or making the measurement go back to the slides in the Introduction and review those instructions. If you are still having trouble send me an e-mail. (3) It is due with the 2nd Test.
Do not forget to attend the Astrolab. Go and enjoy! Be sure to bring me the attendance slip that Dr. Powell will give you.
We are now beginning the part of the Course that I like the most, the study of the planets. The big reddish planet in the west in the evenings is Mars. We had hoped to have a new roving science lab in place there this year. It was post-poned so they could install a new power supply. The new power source will be like the ones they use at Jupiter and Saturn. It will use nuclear power instead of solar power. That will be a great improvement.
The big planet up in the morning before dawn is Jupiter, Galileo saw four moons with Jupiter using his little telescope. You should try seening them with your binoculars.
I will try to post items that I think will be usefull and of interest. I would be very interested in you comments.
