\contentsline {section}{\numberline {1}\bf Tools for Success in ASTR 1120G}{1}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {1.1}Introduction}{1}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {1.2}The Metric System}{1}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {1.3}Beyond the Metric System}{2}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {1.4}Changing Units and Scale Conversion}{2}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {1.4.1}Map Exercises}{3}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {1.5}Squares, Square Roots, and Exponents}{5}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {1.6}Scientific Notation}{6}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {1.7}Calculator Issues}{8}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {1.7.1}Scientific Notation on a Calculator}{8}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {1.7.2}Order of Operations}{8}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {1.8}Graphing and/or Plotting}{9}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {1.8.1}The Mechanics of Plotting}{9}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {1.8.2}Plotting and Interpreting a Graph}{11}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {1.9}Does it Make Sense?}{12}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {1.10}Putting it All Together}{14}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {2}\bf Scale Model of the Solar System}{16}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {2.1}Introduction}{16}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {2.2}The Distances of the Planets From the Sun}{17}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {2.3}Sizes of Planets}{18}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {2.4}Questions About the Football Field Model}{20}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {2.5}Take Home Exercise (35 points total)}{22}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {2.6}Possible Quiz Questions}{25}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {2.7}Extra Credit (ask your TA for permission before attempting, 5 points)}{25}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {3}\bf The Origin of the Seasons}{26}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {3.1}Introduction}{26}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {3.2}The Seasons}{26}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {3.3}The Spinning, Revolving Earth}{30}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {3.4}Elevation Angle and the Concentration of Sunlight}{37}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {3.5}Take Home Exercise (35 total points)}{42}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {3.6}Possible Quiz Questions}{42}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {3.7}Extra Credit (make sure to ask your TA for permission before attempting, 5 points)}{42}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {4}\bf Phases of the Moon}{43}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.1}Introduction}{43}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.2}Exercise 1 (10 points)}{45}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.3}Exercise 2 (10 points)}{46}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.4}Exercise 3 (10 points)}{47}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.5}Lunar Phases, and When They Are Observable}{48}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.6}Exercise 4 (6 points)}{49}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.7}Exercise 5 (6 points)}{50}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.8}Exercise 6 (6 points)}{51}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.9}Demonstrating Your Understanding of Lunar Phases}{52}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.10}Take-Home Exercise (35 points total)}{53}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.11}Possible Quiz Questions}{53}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {4.12}Extra Credit (make sure you get permission from your TA before attempting, 5 points)}{53}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {5}Estimating the Earth's Density}{55}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {5.1}Introduction}{55}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {5.2}Determining Earth's Radius}{56}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {5.3}Angle Determination:}{57}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {5.4}Determining the Earth's Mass}{59}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {5.5}Determining the Earth's Density}{61}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {5.6}In-Lab Questions:}{63}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {5.7}Take Home Exercise (35 points total)}{65}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {5.8}Possible Quiz Questions}{65}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {5.9}Extra Credit (ask your TA for permission before attempting, 5 points)}{65}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {6}\bf Reflectance Spectroscopy}{67}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {6.1}Introduction}{67}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {6.2}Exercises}{67}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {6.3}Take Home Exercise (35 points total)}{77}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {6.4}Possible Quiz Questions}{77}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {6.5}Extra Credit (ask your TA for permission before attempting, 5 points)}{77}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {7}Building a Comet}{79}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {7.1}Asteroids and Comets}{79}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {7.2}Comets}{81}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {7.3}Composition and Components of a Comet}{81}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {7.4}Types of Comets}{82}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {7.5}The Impacts of Asteroids and Comets}{82}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {7.6}Exercise \#1: Creating Impact Craters}{83}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {7.6.1}Impact crater questions}{85}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {7.7}Crater Illumination}{85}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {7.8}Exercise \#2: Building a Comet}{86}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {7.8.1}Comets and Light}{87}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {7.8.2}Comet Strength}{87}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {7.8.3}Comet Questions}{88}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {7.9}Take Home Exercise (35 points total)}{90}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {7.10}Possible Quiz Questions}{90}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {7.11}Extra Credit (ask your TA for permission before attempting, 5 points)}{90}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {8}Our Sun}{91}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {8.1}Layers of the Sun}{91}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {8.2}Sunspots}{92}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {8.3}Solar Phenomena}{94}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {8.4}Lab Exercises}{94}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {8.4.1}Exercise \#1: Getting familiar with the Size and Appearance of the Sun}{95}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {8.4.2}Exercise \#2: Exploring Magnetic Fields}{99}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {8.4.3}Optional Exercise: Generating a magnetic field with an electric current}{103}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {8.4.4}Exercise \#3: Looking at the Sun}{104}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {8.5}Take Home Exercise (35 points total)}{107}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {8.6}Possible Quiz Questions}{107}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {8.7}Extra Credit (ask your TA for permission before attempting, 5 points)}{107}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {9}\bf Paleoclimate}{109}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {9.1}Introduction}{109}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {9.2}Milankovich Cycles}{110}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {9.3}Ice cores and past climate record}{112}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {9.4}Relation of paleoclimate to orbital parameter variations}{114}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {9.5}Recent climate changes}{115}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {9.6}Long term climate change}{117}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {10}\bf The History of Water on Mars}{119}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {10.1}Water Flow Features on Mars}{119}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {10.1.1}Warrego Valles}{120}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {10.1.2}Ares and Tiu Valles}{123}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {10.2}The Global Perspective}{127}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {10.3}Take Home Exercise (35 points total)}{129}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {10.4}Possible Quiz Questions}{129}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {10.5}Extra Credit (ask your TA for permission before attempting, 5 points)}{130}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {11}\bf Characterizing Exoplanets}{131}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {11.1}Introduction}{131}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {11.2}Types of Exoplanets}{131}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {11.2.1}Gas Giants}{131}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {11.2.2}Hot Jupiters}{131}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {11.2.3}Water Worlds}{132}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {11.2.4}Exo-Earths}{132}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {11.2.5}Super-Earths}{132}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {11.2.6}Chthonian Planets}{132}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {11.3}Detection Methods}{132}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {11.3.1}Transit Method/Light Curves}{132}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {11.3.2}Direct Detection}{133}
\contentsline {subsubsection}{\numberline {11.3.3}Radial Velocity (Stellar Wobble)}{134}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {11.4}Characterizing Exoplanets from Transit Light Curves}{135}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {11.5}Deriving Parameters from Transit Light Curves}{136}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {11.6}The Habitable Zone}{144}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {11.7}Classifying Your Exoplanets}{146}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {11.8}Take Home Exercise (35 points total)}{149}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {11.9}Possible Quiz Questions}{149}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {11.10}Extra Credit (ask your TA for permission before attempting, 5 points )}{149}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {12}\bf Appendix A: Algebra Review}{151}
\contentsline {subsection}{\numberline {12.1}Solving for X}{151}
\contentsline {section}{\numberline {13}Observatory Worksheets}{153}