AST 1002 Slide Handouts: Topic A: Part 1 Page 1Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 2001Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 20011Topic ATopic A“The Visible Sky”(Web Version: 08-15-01)Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 20012Topic ATopic A“Appearance of the Night Sky”(Observation in Science)Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 20013Topic ATopic APart 1. Introductory RemarksVer. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 20014In Topic A§ Want to understand . . .“Role of observation (or experimentation)”§ Goals• Become familiar with “what’s up”• Learn basics of astronomical nomenclature• Discover how celestial objects “appear to move”• Understand the relation of Sun & Moon on skyVer. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 20015A Few CommentsA few items– About this class– A tip or two– About astronomyVer. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 20016About AST 1002Discovering the Universe (cred. 3)Prereq: None — Gen. Ed. Physical Science (P) CourseDescription (see UF Undergrad Catalog)An elementary, largely nonmathematical survey of our universe of stars, planets and galaxies. Acquaints the student with the development of astronomy as a human activity — with how we know as well as what we knowAST 1002 Slide Handouts: Topic A: Part 1 Page 2Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 2001Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 20017Astronomy is . . .§ Oldest science? )§ A physical science(others:§ Based both on observationand theory . . .(Scientific study of all celestial phenomena & objects)Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 20018About AST 1002§ Course work/examsEmphasize thought processes which help scientists understand our natural world — procedures used to understand the powers and limitations of science§ AST 1002• Not a “stargazing” or laboratory course• Primarily for non-physical science/math majorsVer. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 20019Overall Course Purpose§ Understand scientific processthrough interaction of:• Observation or experimentation (data collection)• Theory and model building (interpretation)§ Hence . . . “Howwe know what we know”Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 200110About AST 1002§ Content & exams emphasize clear thinking§ Solving course problems illustrate . . .common sense thinkingVer. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 200111Tip: Course Requirements§ Only homework text readingbut . . .§ Prepare to devote study time to• Concepts• Example exam questions(in Study Guide)§ Don’t fall behind!Sample Exam QuestionsExample Problems,Supplementary Tables and FiguresAA STRONOMYSTRONOMYSS TUDY TUDY GG UIDEUIDEVersion 8.1August 2001Howard L. CohenVer. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 200112APPENDIX BCONSTELLATIONSConstellation Abbrev- English name Constellation(Latin name) viation or description (Latin name)Andromeda And Princess of Ethiopia LacertaAntila Ant Air Pump LeoApus Aps Bird of Paradise Leo MinorAquarius Aqr Water Bearer LepusTip: Don’t Memorize TablesAsk — What is table trying to tell me?Names Names areareLatinLatinEach hasEach hasan abbrevan abbrev --iationiationEach has an Each has an English English equivalentequivalentPeople,People,things & things & animalsanimalsAST 1002 Slide Handouts: Topic A: Part 1 Page 3Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 2001Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 200113Why Astronomy?§ Some data easily accessible — the sky(amateur astronomy very popular hobby)§ Interdisciplinary§ Historically based§ “Partially” understandable without math§ Inspirational, motivational, exciting . . . nifty!Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 200114“One Night in a Thousand”“If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years,how would men believe and adore;and preserve for many generations the remembranceof the city of God which had been shown!But every night come out these envoys of beauty,and light the universe with their admonishing smile.Ralph Waldo EmersonNight View of USA200 image composite fromDefense Meteorological Satellite Program“A Problem”Credit: NOAA/ NGDC, DMSP Digital ArchiveNYChicagoLAMiamiAtlantaSeattleHoustonPhoenixLight PollutionMost people in the USA have not seen a truly dark sky!“Florida at Night”Miami AreaJacksonvilleTampa AreaOrlandoGainesvilleTallahasseeMobileFt. MyersCape Canaveral AreaFt. Lauderdale AreaSavannahVer. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 200117QuestionHow many of you have seen the Milky Way?(not the candy bar!)Photo Cred. P.K. Chen, Australia 1995 Sept.Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 200118Product NamesMany products named after celestial objects!• Milky Way candy bar• Quasar and Pulsar TVs• Constellation (ship)• Cars: Eclipse, Galaxy, Mercury,Nova, Saturn, Taurus, Vega,Subaru, …• (Hollywood) star• etc.AST 1002 Slide Handouts: Topic A: Part 1 Page 4Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 2001Ver. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 200119QuestionQuestion Approximately what direction should you face to see the Sun set?(1) North(2) East (3) South(4) West(5) Sometimes east & sometimes westVer. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 200120AnswerQuestion Approximately what direction should you face to see the Sun set?(1) North(2) East (3) South(4) West(5) Sometimes east & sometimes westWestVer. 081501Dept. Astronomy – University of Florida – Copyright © H.L. Cohen 2001211) The Observation — Sun sets in West2) Possible Explanation — Sun circles EarthUntil we have done #1(obtained data),we can’t propose #2 (a