Introduction to Astronomy!

Today…Welcome to Chabot College!Roster/Adding the ClassHow the class will work

Syllabus Calendar Homework

But first….

"Even the longest journey must begin where you stand.“ - Lao-tzu

Introduce yourself to your neighbors!

Our planetarium: The most “comfortable” classroom on

campus!

The lights will dim…The stars come out!Music plays,

and….

Make a promise to your neighbor!

“I’ll (gently) wake you up…

If

You (gently) wake me up!”

(Especially if you snore!)

Why take Astronomy??

Why take Astronomy??

To meet people!

Why take Astronomy??

The Relativistic physics class was already full…

Astronomy Satisfies AA/AS Degree

Astronomy Satisfies CSU Transfer Requirements!

Astronomy Satisfies UC Transfer Requirements!

Welcome to Astronomy!

Attendance & Adding

Today: Sign the roster going around the room…Be sure to indicate “trying to add”

Most class days:Attendance by quizzes, group work, and/or

sign in sheet.

Syllabus & Course Calendar

Already Online

Read it! Quiz next week!

Lots of options for “success” however you define that

What are your goals for the course?

My office: 2013 in Building 2000

LibraryBio

Physics/Math

Cafeteria

What is happening in Astronomy right now?

NASA’s New Horizons reached Pluto

What is happening in Astronomy?

Rosetta landed a probe on a Comet!

Launched in 2004Philae lander hoped to

regain more power as comet passes the Sun

What is happening in Astronomy?

China’s rover is on the moon…

What is happening in Astronomy?

Hubble Space Telescope Deepest sky survey will see back farther than ever

3,000 galaxies 12+ Billion light years away

Magnified 10-20x by “nearby” cluster

What is happening in Astronomy?

Kepler mission ~5000 possible planets around other stars ( ~1000 confirmed)

In an area of the sky the size of your fist…

40 Billion more in our galaxy alone?

How many like Earth??

Astronomy & Your Life

What could learning about

the planets and stars

possibly have in common with my life

now??

Astronomy & Your Life

There are more connections

between

our lives & astronomy

than you might realize…

Seven Days of the Week

Sunday - the Sun’s day, of courseMonday - the Moon’s dayTuesday - ?Wednesday - ??Thursday - ???Friday - ??#$Saturday - ???%^?

Seven Days of the Week

Seven Days of the Week Sunday Domingo Dimanche Sun Monday Lunes Lundi Moon Tuesday Martes Mardi Mars Wed Miercoles Mercredi Mercury Thurs Jueves Jeudi Jupiter Friday Viernes Vendredi Venus Saturday Sabado Samedi Saturn

Seven objects are easily seen to move in regular patters in front of the stars across the skies during the year

Key Questions for YOU…

Key Questions for YOU in our class…

How does science work?

What do we gain, as humans, by asking questions of Nature?

Is the quest for knowledge worth the costs?