ASTR220Collisions in Space
Prof. Derek RichardsonOffice: CSS1249
Phone: 301-405-8786Email: [email protected] 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
Top Related