AST 202      Life in the Universe

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APOD


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MWF 10 - 11
ILC 150
Spring 2014

Prof: Dr. Yancy Shirley
office: Steward Observatory N310
office hours: MWF 11-12
phone: (520) 626-3666
email

TA: Charlie Kilpatrick
office: Steward Observatory 201F
office hours: TuTh 10-11
phone: (520) 621-6535
email


Class Syllabus

      Life in the Universe is a scientific introduction to the burgeoning field of astrobiology. The main goal for students in this course is to have fun learning about the possibilities for life in the Universe and, in the process, gain an appreciation for the methods used in science.

CURRENT SCHEDULE (subject to change)

Date Location Topic Reading
W Jan 15 ILC 150 Introduction to Astrobiology Life in the Universe Chap. 1
(slides)
(Example A+ Creative Project)
F Jan 17 ILC 150 How Science Works Life in the Universe Sec 2.3-2.4
(slides)
M Jan 20
NO CLASS MLK Day
W Jan 22 ILC 150 IN CLASS ACTIVITY
F Jan 24 ILC 150 Pseudoscience Sagan on Crop Circles
(slides)
M Jan 27 ILC 150 History of Astronomy Life in the Universe Sec 2.1-2.2
(slides)
W Jan 29 NO CLASS
F Jan 31 ILC 150 Scales in Space
Life in the Universe Sec 3.1-3.2
Atlas of the Universe
The Known Universe (video)
(slides)
M Feb 3 ILC 150 Creation/Evolution of Universe Tests of Big Bang Theory
Cosmography of the Local Universe
(slides)
W Feb 5 Flandrau Planetarium The Night Sky
February Sky Map
F Feb 7 ILC 150 What is the Universe Made of Dark Matters
Dark Energy (minutephysics)
(slides)
M Feb 10 ILC 150 EXAM #1
(old exam)
W Feb 12 ILC 150 Light and Energy Life in the Universe Sec 3.4
(slides)
F Feb 14 ILC 150 IN CLASS ACTIVITY
M Feb 17 ILC 150 Telescopes & Detection of Light Telescope Eye Candy
(slides) (Telescope Names)
W Feb 19 ILC 150 Origin of the Elements Life in the Universe Sec 11.4
Look carefully at Fig 11.22
(slides)
F Feb 21 ILC 150 IN CLASS ACTIVITY
M Feb 24 ILC 150 Habitibility Life in the Universe Sec 10.1,10.3
(slides)
W Feb 26 Mirror Lab Mirror Lab Tour (A-M) Mirror Lab Map
F Feb 28 Mirror Lab Mirror Lab Tour (N-Z) Mirror Lab Map
M Mar 3 ILC 150 EXAM #2
W Mar 5 ILC 150 Exoplanets I Life in the Universe Sec. 11.2-11.3
(slides)
F Mar 7 ILC 150 Exoplanets II New Discoveries in 2014
(slides)
M Mar 10 ILC 150 IN CLASS ACTIVITY 21Inch Telescope Map
W Mar 12 ILC 150 CREATIVE PROJECT SUMMARIES DUE IN CLASS
F Mar 14
NO CLASS NO CLASS
M Mar 17 SPRING BREAK
W Mar 19 SPRING BREAK
F Mar 21 SPRING BREAK
M Mar 24 ILC 150 Origin of Life on Earth Life in the Universe Sec 5.1-5.4, 6.1-6.5
(slides)
W Mar 26 ILC 150 IN CLASS ACTIVITY
F Mar 28 ILC 150 Evolution of Life on Earth Life in the Universe Sec 5.1-5.4, 6.1-6.5
(slides)
M Mar 31 NO CLASS
W Apr 2 ILC 150 Potential for Life on Mars Life in the Universe Sec 7.2-7.3, 8.1-8.5, 9.2-9.3
(slides)
F Apr 4 ILC 150 Extremeophiles and Implications Life in the Universe Sec 5.5, 7.1
The Water Bear
(slides)
M Apr 7 ILC 150 EXAM #3
W Apr 9 ILC 150 Potential for Life in the Outer Solar System Life in the Universe Sec 9.2-9.3
(slides)
F Apr 11 ILC 150 IN CLASS ACTIVITY
M Apr 13 ILC 150 Drake Equation/SETI - Current Estimates Life in the Universe Chap. 12
(slides)
W Apr 16
NO CLASS NO CLASS
F Apr 18 ILC 150 Space Travel
(slides)
M Apr 21 ILC 150 Fermi Paradox Life in the Universe Chap. 13
Sagan on UFOs
Warp Drives?
(slides)
W Apr 23 ILC 150 IN CLASS ACTIVITY
F Apr 25 ILC 150 Anthropic Principle
M Apr 28 ILC 150 In the News This Semester Evidence for Gravitational Waves from Big Band Detected
New Dwarf Planet in Solar System
ExoPlanets Around Red Dwarfs
Earth Analog?
(slides)
W Apr 30 ILC 150 Exam Review
F May 2 ILC 150 EXAM #4
M May 5 CREATIVE PROJECTS DUE IN CLASS
ILC 150 SHOW & TELL (Live performances)