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PTYS/ASTR 206 Our Golden Age of Planetary Exploration

PTYS/ASTR 206 Our Golden Age of Planetary Exploration. Course Vitals. Photo by amateur Wesley Higgins. Location/Time Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-10:45AM Kuiper Space Sciences 308 Instructor Joe Giacalone , KSS 431, 626-8365 giacalon@lpl.arizona.edu Teaching Assistants

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PTYS/ASTR 206 Our Golden Age of Planetary Exploration

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  1. PTYS/ASTR 206Our Golden Age of Planetary Exploration PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  2. Course Vitals Photo by amateur Wesley Higgins • Location/Time • Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-10:45AM • Kuiper Space Sciences 308 • Instructor • Joe Giacalone, KSS 431, 626-8365 • giacalon@lpl.arizona.edu • Teaching Assistants • Catherine Elder • cmelder@lpl.arizona.edu • Youngmin JeongAhn • jeongahn@lpl.arizona.edu • Course Homepage http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/undergrad/classes/spring2012/Giacalone_206-1 / PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  3. What is the motivation for this class – what is it about? • There have been 3 major revolutions in planetary science • Greek Philosophy (500 BC-200 AD) • Copernican Revolution (1500-1700 AD) • Age of spacecraft (1960-present) • The Solar system is very accessible to detailed examination • We are currently in the Golden Age of Planetary Exploration PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  4. Why study the solar system? • Importance to Earth and its inhabitants • we must understand the environment in which we live to understand how to survive • Importance for understanding the origin of life • Subject of many research projects • Many basic properties are a mystery • How did Earth get its water? • Did Mars once have oceans of water and a thick atmosphere? • How thick is the ice crust of Europa? • Why does the number of spots on the Sun go up and down on an 11-year cycle?

  5. Course Vitals (cont.) • Prerequisites: • Successful completion of two Tier 1 NATS courses • Familiarity with simple math tools (algebra, trig, units) • Willingness to solve problems related to physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy, and biology • Textbook (required): • Universe: The Solar System:(4th edition) by Freedman, Geller, and Kaufmann • Exam and homework questions will be based partly on material in the textbook. • CD containing Starry Night Enthusiast software will be useful PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  6. Emphasis • This may possibly be your last science class ! • But not the last time you will encounter science • Our Focus will be on scientific UNDERSTANDING of the basic physical processes at work in the solar system • And how they help us relate the planets to one another and to Earth PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  7. Course Vitals (cont.) • In the classroom • Use common sense and courtesy • Turn cell phones and other communication devices off • Laptops ok … for taking notes! • No food or drink allowed in the lecture hall (except bottled water). • Constructive participation is strongly encouraged (feel free to ask questions – please!!). • Outside the class • Do the reading assignments! • Start homework assignments early! • Be careful of Academic Integrity. • If you are having difficulty with the material or anything else about the class, feel free to contact us – we are here to help! PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  8. Course Vitals (cont.) A statistical curve may be used, but the following general grading scale is used as a baseline grade (i.e. you are assured the grade indicated if your cumulative score falls within the given range) Factors considered in borderline cases: + positive performance gradient + in-class participation + participation in out-of-class activities + In order to be considered for moving up a grade, you MUST have handed in all of your homework! • > 89% A • 78–88% B • 67-77% C • 56-66% D • < 55% E Grading Scale PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  9. Course vitals (cont.) • 15% Best of 2 mid-term exams • 15% Larger of the following ... • Lowest mid-term exam score • Avg. of two highest quiz scores • 20% Final exam • 25% Homework • 5% In-class activities • 10% Class Project 1 • 10% Class Project 2 Grading Breakdown Active Region on the Sun PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  10. Course Vitals (cont.) • Course Assignments • 2 in-class, closed book exams + a final exam • In-class activities • About ½ will be graded (the ones not graded will still be recorded as “assignment completed” which is better than not doing it!) • “Mission updates” • Quizzes • 3 announced in-class quizzes about 1 week prior to each exam • Homework • worth the most towards your final grade, will take the most time • You are encouraged to work together on homework, and in-class activities. • You MUST turn in your own (original) work • It is not acceptable to turn in work identical to that of another student (use your own words!) • Class Projects • Details to be discussed later PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  11. General list of topics to covered in this course • Planetary orbits, Ancient Planetary Astronomy, Imaging • Structure and Formation of the Solar System • Fundamental Planetary Processes • Cratering,Surfaces, Interiors,Atmospheres • A detailed look at each planet, and other objects in the solar system (Sun, asteroids, comets, etc.) • Astrobiology -- Extraterrestrial life? • A more-detailed schedule is on the course website and in today’s handout Schematic of the greenhouse effect Schematic of plate tectonics

  12. Topical Lectures • There are often rapid advances made in Planetary Science because of accessibility of the solar system to humans • We will try to discuss these as they happen • Other topical subjects may include: • Global warming • Greenhouse effect • Asteroid and comet impacts • Water on Mars: Phoenix and HiRISE • Solar Storms and Space Weather • Cassini at Saturn • Messenger at Mercury • Is Pluto a planet? Phoenix lander UA-led mission to Mars: launched in August 2007 Tucson was the location for science operations

  13. HiRISE • UofA mission • on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter • Currently in orbit around Mars • Providing stunning images of the Martian surface PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  14. Cassini in orbit about the Saturn system PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  15. Cassini/VIMS image PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  16. Time-lapse movie of the Sun during the “Halloween” Storm period in 2003 The Sun is shielded from view in this movie by an “occulting” disk What is seen are stars, a planet, and the active solar “corona” PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  17. Scientific Notation • Shorter way to write very large/small numbers • Based on powers of 10 • Example: The speed of light is 300,000,000 m/s • Starting from the left, put the decimal point after the first non-zero digit, and count the digits to the end: • 300,000,000 m/s = 3.0 x 108 m/s • For small numbers, move the decimal point after the first non-zero digit, count the steps you moved and add a minus sign to the exponent: • 0.0059 m = 5.9 x 10-3 m PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  18. Scientific Notation • Multiplying: (2x103)x(4x102) • Multiply the coefficients: 2x4 = 8 • Add the exponents: (103) x (102) = (103+2) = (105) (2x103) x (4x102) = (8x105) • Dividing: (9x104)/(3x103) • Divide the coefficients: 9/3 = 3 • Subtract the exponents: (104) / (103) = (104-3) = (101) (9x104) / (3x103) = (3x101) PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  19. Unit Conversions • Example: How many feet are in 5 kilometers? (1 km = 1000 m, 1 m = 3.28 ft) so Multiply by fractions that are equal to 1 and cancel: PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

  20. Today’s In-class activity: Who’s who • Name{pronunciation} • Year in school • Major • Where are you from? • What science courses have you taken in college? • Why are you taking this course? • How did you hear about this course? • What is your e-mail address ? • Please share something unique about yourself Sunset on Mars, taken by Imager for Mars Pathfinder, 1997. IMP was built in this building

  21. Announcements • Reading Assignment • Chapters 1 and 4 • The first homework assignment will be available for download from the course website (assigned) on Tuesday. It will be due 1/24) PTYS/ASTR206: Introduction

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