ASTR220Collisions in Space

Prof. Derek RichardsonOffice: CSS1249

Phone: 301-405-8786Email: dcr@astro.umd.eduOffice hours: After class or

by appointment

The Antennae (HST)

The Antennae (composite)

Course topics

Collisions in the Solar system Formation of the solar system Collisions affecting the Earth in more recent times –

science, and Hollywood Collisions in a general sense: gravitational

interaction in the Universe Life and death of stars

Interacting (“colliding” stars) Neutron stars, black holes and warped space-time The biggest explosions… “gamma-ray bursts”

Cosmic collisions Colliding galaxies Giant black holes and quasars Time-warps and wormholes

Course texts

Night Comes to the CretaceousPowell, c. 1998, Harcourt-BraceThe story of the search for traces of the

impact that wiped out the dinosaurs

Course Information

This course is for non-science majors who have strong interests in astronomy

This is a 200-level class; it is not a replacement for ASTR100 or ASTR101 Assume some background in (or willingness

to learn) basic astronomy Simple math: algebra and statistical

reasoning Satisfies CORE distributive studies

requirement for a non-laboratory physical sciences course

Course work and grading

In-class participation is very important There will be homeworks, in-class

quizzes, a book review, in-class activities, one midterm exam, and a (cumulative) final exam

These, as well as grading breakpoints are summarized in the syllabus

This course will NOT use the +/- scheme

Grading (cont.)

Midterm exam 25% Final exam 35% Homework 25% In-class activities 15%

NOTE: if you want an ‘A’, you can’t just rely on the exams

Grade boundaries

You will be guaranteed at least the following letter grade corresponding to your score percentage: 90% and above A 80-89% B 68-79% C 55-67% D Below 55% F

Any curving will only increase your letter grade.

Examinations

Midterm and final exam will have similar formats Section of multiple choice questions Section of questions needing short written

answers or short calculations. Midterm exam will be in class on the

23rd October 2003 (tentative). As per the current University schedule,

the final exam will be 8.00-10.00am on 15th December 2003 in this room.

Absences, academic dishonesty I strictly follow the University policy Absences – all must be documented

If scheduled (e.g. sports), bring paperwork within the first 10 days of classes

Illness: if possible, contact me before missed class or assignment; arrange for make-up (if necessary) within one week

Academic dishonesty Zero-tolerance policy: all cases go to Honor

Council Plagiarism is most common problem in a

class like this one

The Barringer Crater (AZ)

… also known as Meteor crater

Satellite image…

The Moon

The Tycho Crater