PHY 111, Spring, 2006

Week 2

 

  Main Objectives
bulletYou should be able to explain:
bullethow one tells the difference between a planet and a star when observing the sky
bulletthe cause of the seasons
bulletwhy the Sun and Moon have the same angular size in the sky
bulletwhy winter days are shorter than summer days
bulletwhat causes the phases of the moon
bulletwhat causes eclipses
bulletwhy lunar eclipses last longer than solar eclipses
bulletwhy many people can see a lunar eclipse, but only a few people can see a solar eclipse
bulletwhy we don't see an eclipse every month
bulletYou should be able to define:
bulletmeridian
bulletzenith
bulletequinox
bulletsolstice
bulletecliptic
bulletcelestial equator
bulletcelestial pole
bullethorizon
bulletretrograde motion
bulletYou should be able to describe:
bulletthe coordinate system we use for locating stars and how it is related to the system we use for locating places on the surface of the Earth
bulletthe relationship between the location of the North star and the observer's latitude
bulletYou should be able to use the phase and location of the moon as a clock (i.e., If you see a third quarter moon on the eastern horizon, what time is it?)
bulletGiven any two of angular size, diameter of object, and distance of object from Earth, you should be able to calculate the third quantity.
Tuesday Lecture and discussion on motions in the sky.  Small group exercise on motions in the sky

Outside of class: Read Chapter 6 Sec 3-4.

Thursday Lecture on phases of the moon and eclipses.  Small group exercise on phases of the moon.

Outside of class: Read Ch. 1 Sec. 3 and 4.  Go over Chapter 6 Recall questions 1-15 and 22 - 31.  Complete Chapter 6 Questions to Ponder 4, 5, 7, and 8 to be turned in next Thursday.