Dr. Gary Mechler Check below for latest announcements (made on 10/28/09)

Astronomy is one of the most sublime fields of human investigation. The mind that grasps its facts and principles receives something of the enlargement and grandeur belonging to the science itself.

Horace Mann (1796-1859)

 

Homework, Lab, Test Dates AST 101IN AST 102IN AST 105IN

Announcements

AST 101 Course Documents AST 102 Course Documents AST 105 Course Documents

Lecture Series: 

St. Albert Forum, Science & Theology	Lunar & Planetary Laboratory	Steward Observatory
Office Hours Map to Office at WC Click here to email me. Office phone: (206-6831)	Wondering about doing a book report? Click on the appropriate link: AST 101XAST 102XAST 105	Going to the University for a talk at auditorium N210 of the Steward Observatory? Then you may want to know where it is. Click here to go to the University of Arizona map.

Click on this "Cosmic Perspective" graphic for a small table of interesting science and astronomy related links:

AST 101: Important! You should recall that we discovered in class that your classnotes did not cover the last third or so of the unit on the origin of the solar system. We went over them in class and I said I would get the rest online for you to study. I just completed making that document and I am giving you the link here to get right to it.

AST 101, 105: Important! Test 2 has been postponed for both classes by one class meeting, from Thur, Oct 29 to next Tues, Nov 3.

AST 101, 105: Apparently the UA lecture series, "Astrobiology and the Sacred" has discontinued. So I have replaced its link (left cell, top row, in lower table above) with an informational email I received from the organizer of the St. Albert Forum on Science and Theology. Click on the St. Albert link in the table above to send you to the Announcements Page.

All Courses: Quick comment - I just updated the link to the Steward Observatory Public Lecture Series and see that they have some good programs scheduled. Check it out. Several of the upcoming speakers I have mentioned or will mention in the 101 and 105 courses by name or by their specific contribution. For example, did I catch the curiosity of any of you in the 101 course when I pointed out that despite the contentious history of the Catholic Church with science, that today there is a Vatican Observatory run by Jesuit Priests who are also Ph.D. astronomers? And that a major expansion of the Vatican Observatory occured here in Southern Arizona in 1981? Then you must see Dr. Coyne's presentation on November 9, "Galileo, the Party Pooper; in Celebration of 400 Years of Telescopic Observations" Dr. Coyne is Director Emeritus of the Vatican Observatory. James McGaha and David Levy are two people I always mention. in the 101 course and, less frequently, in the 105 course.

All Courses: I have just added links that get you information on two great local observatory evening programs. They will cost you a bit, but include a humble dinner and a wonderful evening on beautiful mountain tops viewing the sky through telescopes. These links are in the table you reach by clicking on the "Cosmic Perspective" image above. Of course, you can earn Outside Activity credit. These really are treats you won't forget.

AST 102 and 105: Of special interest to students of these classes is this coming weekend's workshop on UFOs, sponsored by the Center for Inquiry, a national organization promoting rationalism, science, and secularism. They do quite a bit to offer to the public the best scientific perspectives on many topics, particularly of a pseudoscientific nature, such as UFOs for example. The meeting does cost, but if you want a solid dose of real-world hard-nosers who have made reputations investigating UFO claims, this is for you. If you decide to go to this, contact me. You may certainly earn Outside Activity for going to this; depending upon how much you participate in it, I am willing to award you up to 30 points of OA credit, as with book reports. But we must talk about this in advance so you know my expectations. GO HERE for an online information page. The workshop is here in Tucson because one of the investigators and organizers, an accomplished amateur astronomer, Major (ret'd.) James McGaha, lives here.

AST 101: Urgent/important change. I am moving Test 1 from tomorrow, Tuesday September 29, to Thursday, October 1. I am doing this, because I see no downside and because I have not given you more opportunity to study the Historical Notes Supplement. We spent some time on it in class, but I also want to give you time (tomorrow) to go through the notes with the question sheets (will hand out.)

August 31, 2009

Welcome to the science of astronomy! From my long experience with this subject, I know it has the potential to enrich your life. I'm glad you have chosen astronomy as the subject to fulfill your science requirement.

This astronomy courses website has been a great addition to my teaching of AST 101IN, AST 102IN, and AST 105IN. It is here to provide you information and documents when I'm not around personally to help you.

Plan to return to this site often during the semester to keep up with announcements, to get test and assignment due dates (particularly after you've missed a class), and to download and printout various documents you'll be needing.