Astronomy 121, Course Project

 


Astronomy 121 course projects are required of each student.
The project might be a written report on a topic of interest,
a report of an observational exercise, a poster on a topic, or
the design of an astronomical instrument, to name a few 
possibilities.  In any case, a report should be typewritten, 
of 4-6 pages, unless other content (such as a poster) are submitted, 
in which case the written report might be shorter. In any case, 
the report should be no less than two pages long.  References 
must be cited.


Reports might cover the history of a topic, key figures, the role 
of space exploration, and the relevance to our understanding
of the Solar System or the Universe.  It might discuss the debate 
over an unsettled issue or issues regarding an important observation.
There are many possibilities, and your imagination and interest 
should guide you.


The project will contribute 10% to the total grade.  Projects are due, 
without exception, no later than March 8th.

Some suggested projects

These suggestions are given as examples of what you might do.
You are free to design any project related to the course.


Evening or early morning sky observation.
Using a star chart (located in back of text) or SkyChart III on the text's 
CD-ROM as a reference, try using a pair of binoculars to observe and locate 
the following (suggested) celestial objects:
 Planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars & Venus
 M42 - Orion Nebula (emission nebula)
 M45 - Pleiades (galactic cluster)
 M15 - (globular cluster) in Pegasus
 M36,M37,M38 (globular clusters) in Auriga
 M31 - Andromeda Galaxy
 Milky Way

You may want to include other objects of the night sky.  Report 
your observations.  How does the observation change from week to week?

Attend a planetarium program and submit a written description 
focusing on the content themes - such as the origin of stars, 
the birth of our solar system, the possibilities of life elsewhere, 
or the known and unknown limits of space and time.  Report what you 
have learned, what you find agreeable or disagreeable, etc.

Develop a report based on topics in the Review and Discussion 
at the end of a chapter in the textbook. 

Complete a "poster report", consisting of a brief description 
of a topic displayed on a poster.  This will include images of the 
subject, along with a discussion of interesting related issues.
For example, you might document the Cassini-Huygens Mission.