AST 3047

History of Astronomy after Newton

Fall 2006

Section 1046, MWF 3 in BRT 3

Office location: BRT 324
Office hours: MWF 4 or by appointment
Telephone: (352) 392-2052 ext. 236
E-mail: hsmith@astro.ufl.edu
Text: Pannekoek, A History of Astronomy

Messages and reading assignments


GENERAL EDUCATION. AST 3047 has been approved for Physical Science (P) general education credit by the General Education Council. As is noted in the course description below, this course examines not only the history of the development of astronomy and some of those who played key roles in that development but also some of the relevant astronomy and the physics underlying the changes in astronomical equipment, techniques, and theories, especially in connection with the analysis of light (spectral analysis) as atomic theory matured and as astrophysics grew out of traditional astronomy.


The course surveys the development of astronomy after the Newtonian period and the rise of astrophysics (physics applied to astronomical problems). It covers both the advances in instruments and observational techniques and the breakthroughs in theory leading up to our present understanding of the Solar System, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. We will take note of some of the people who played important roles in these advances, and some attention will paid to the transition to cooperative astronomy, in collaborations as well as through the rise of national and international professional bodies and large observatories. The span of time dealt with in the course extends from roughly the mid-eighteenth century to 1970 (time permitting). Thus it will (hopefully) cover the beginnings of space astronomy (but only the beginnings).

In order to truly comprehend the history of astronomy during this time period it is necessary to understand some basic astronomy. The course is specifically intended for non-science majors, and it is not expected that more than a few, if indeed any, of the students taking the course have previously taken an introductory astronomy course. Therefore it is necessary to cover some astronomy in addition to the history. However, there will be no complicated mathematics and only as much detail as is needed to understand the phenomena discussed.

The lectures are intended to emphasize important points, clarify certain topics in the texts, and supply material in addition to that in the texts. I do not take attendance at the lectures, but I very much encourage you to attend. Tape recording of lectures is allowed. I will try to announce reading assignments in advance and post them on the Web; there is a link on the course pages for messages and reading assignments. I suggest you read a little bit ahead of where I am in the lectures whenever possible to make it easier for you to follow what I am talking about.

The course has two aims: (1) to help you learn to value astronomy and astrophysics as a part of your intellectual heritage, and (2) to give you some understanding of how they have developed in relatively modern times. I hope you find the course pleasurable as well as interesting.

As for the administration of the course, there are three tests scheduled in the regular classroom at the regular time on the following three dates: Wed., Sept. 20; Fri., Oct. 27; and Mon., Dec. 4. These so-called hour tests, scheduled for the entire class period, are non-cumulative, with approximately 35 multiple-choice questions each. The final examination, which is cumulative, will consist of approximately 60 multiple-choice questions. It will be in the regular classroom unless otherwise announced in advance. The final is scheduled on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in period B (10:00 am -12:00 noon). I will allow time for a brief review session before the each hour test, but there will be no review for the final. If it should become necessary for some unforeseen reason to reschedule an hour test or the final, that will be announced in class and posted on the Web in a timely manner.

The numerical grade in the course is the average of the numerical scores on the hour tests if all three have been taken and the student is satisfied with his or her grade. On the other hand, if the student has taken all three but is dissatisfied with the average, she or he has the option of taking the final. Any student who has not taken all three hour tests, for whatever reason, must take the final exam. Failure to do so will result in the student's failing the course. Those students for whom the final is optional are welcome to show up at the scheduled time and even work on the final, then decide not to have it count towards the course grade. The final, if taken, counts as 40% of the course grade, the remainder being from the hour tests. If the student chooses to have the final count it is counted even if it hurts that student's grade. The grade scale for the course is as follows:

A = 90 and up
B+= 85-89
B = 80-84
C+= 75-79
C = 70-74
D+= 65-69
D = 60-64
E = 0-59


Grades are rounded to the nearest whole percent at each step; e.g., 84.5 becomes 85. If necessary grades will be curved upwards. Grades are posted according to the identifiers provided by the students. The answers to the master test each time will be posted on the course reserve Web page at the Marston Libraries Website so that students can check their answers and, if necessary, study for the final.



Messages and reading assignments

Study Guide 1

Study Guide 2

Study Guide 3

Grades

Please be sure that you know and scrupulously follow my ground rules for the course.

Here are some Web links for information on (1) the celestial sphere and coordinate systems and (2) the apparent motions of the Sun, Moon, and planets as well as stars.

For those of you who might be interested I'm providing a link to the Web page about the Teaching Observatory Public Night that occurs on Friday nights through the semester, weather permitting. On that page you can find a link to a set of maps showing you where the observatory is, but I've made it available here as well.