Astronomy/Origins 2B03“The Big Questions”

Lecture #2

Avenue to Learn (avenue.mcmaster.ca)

We will use this site extensively

This is where you will find the course outline, detailedmarking scheme, lecture outlines, etc

As soon as possible, log in and introduce yourself tothe rest of your tutorial!

Tutorials start on Wednesday!!

The Lectures- The core of the course material. No textbook

- The PowerPoint slides are only outlines of thematerial. Take your own notes as we go, and reviewthem later

- Shortened versions of them will be posted on theAvenue site before each lecture.

- Most of the illustrations/images are copyright andcannot be reproduced (and we use lots of illustrations)

- The lectures are better when YOU ask questions, themore I am interrupted the happier I am!

Use of electronic devices in class

Studies have shown that• taking your own (hand-written) notes is better for

your learning than typing notes on a laptop/tablet• Using electronic devices (computers, tablets, cell

phones) in class is distracting and reduces yourlearning

• Using electronic devices reduces the learning ofyour neighbours even more than your own!

Please be considerate: don’t use electronicdevices in class (or only use them to take notes)

A couple of other things …

• Some people have asked if they can record mylectures– I prefer not to be recorded– Studies have shown that taking your own (hand-

written) notes is better for learning• Sidewalk Astronomy

– Look through a telescope at some of the brighterobjects in the sky!

– Starts 30 minutes after sunset for 2-3 hours whenskies are clear - next session September 10!

– Near the turning circle in front of Mary KeyesResidence (Bldg 50)

http://www.physics.mcmaster.ca/sidewalkastronomy/home.html

The Tests

- Based on lecture material and primers

- based on ALL lecture material, not just the material inthe online slides

- multiple choice in format

No makeup midterm: if you submit an MSAF for themidterm, the midterm marks will be moved to the finalexam

Journals- submitted on the Avenue to Learn site (dropbox!)

- read only by your TA

- Make regular postings from September 15 - November 24thNo special format is expected, but marks will be assigned for:- regularity and frequency of entries (ie don’t wait until the end of term!)- quality of your thought and reflection

- connection to the course material

- quality of your writing, including grammar and spelling (ie make it readable!)

- Do not regurgitate course material, give the TAs something fun to read!

- should be a reflection on lecture or tutorial material…oranything to do with big questions in science

Academic dishonestyPlagiarism: Just don’t do it!

• In this course we use Turnitin.com to check forplagiarism

• I have seen Turnitin.com catch– Material plagiarized from the internet– Material plagiarized from another journal in the same

class– Material plagiarized from other classes and other

yearsIt is better to get a lower mark for

fewer/shorter/poorer journal entries than a markof zero and a record for academic dishonesty

Projects

Partner presentations in front of your tutorial group. SeeDetails on the Avenue to Learn website

Start looking at the topics, and selecting yourpartner(s)

Topic and partner selection by September 30th

Written proposal due October 7th

“Also, just wanted to ask one last time if you wouldconsider raising my mark from an 8 to a 9. I know thatthis is a lot to ask, but I really tried my best in thiscourse.”

“Are you sure my final grade was right? I am sure I deserved a higher mark!”

“I was just wondering if I could look at my final exam. I was sure Iwas going to get a 12 in this course. Are there any specificprocedures for me to go through if I want to try and get my markchanged?”

“But I only took this course because I heard it was an easy 12and I need a 12 to get into medical school. It’s not fair.”

“But Dr Wilson, by not raising my grade you are forcing me to go to medical schooloverseas!”

Mark Complaints - legitimate mistakes can happen, and we’ll fix them,but …. Don’t let this be you!

Let’s get started!!!!

What’s Out There?A first impression about things in the universe

Objects in the universe come in ahierarchy of scales and sizes:

Planets

Stars

Galaxies

The universe as a whole

These scales are so different from one step to thenext that they are incredibly hard to comprehend all at

once – no “everyday” experience to refer them to

If the Earth were abasketball how big wouldthe moon be?

a)golf ball b)tennis ball c)softball d)volleyball

Sun and Earth to scale Sun and Jupiter to scale

How many Earths would fit into the Sun?

a) ~100

b) ~1000

c) ~1 million

d) ~1 billion

How many Jupiters would fit inside the Sun?

a) 90

b) 900

c) 9000

d) 90000

How many Moons would fit inside the Earth?

a) 2

b) 5

c) 20

d) 50

e) 100

If we say the distance from here to Toronto (71 km)represents the distance between the Earth and theSun, how far are we from Pluto?

If we say the distance from here to Toronto (71 km)represents the distance between the Earth and theSun, how far is the Earth from the Moon?

If we say the distance from here to Toronto (71 km)represents the distance between the Earth and theSun, how big is the Earth?

If we say the distance from here to Toronto (71 km)represents the distance between the Earth and theSun, how far is the Sun from the next nearest star?