ASTR 123, Robert L Zimmerman
Assignment #1: Foundations of Astronomy
Assigned Oct 6, 2009---------Due Oct 13
You are asked to return various images and answer a few questions. You MUST place all images in a word processor. Under each image you must include a brief description with the URL where you located the image. You do not have to use the suggested URLs that I give you. If the assignment is late or you do not place the pictures in a word processor you will be graded down. You cannot Xerox another personŐs report and replace their name with yours even if you do the assignment together! Please come to my office before the assignment is due if you are having trouble and I will help you or tell you if you have done it correctly.
Questions
1. How long does it take light to
travel the following distances?
From the
Sun to Alpha Centauri ______________
From the
Sun to the Earth, _____________
From one
end of the galaxy to the other ___________
From the
Sun to the Andromeda Galaxy___________
2, briefly
explain the cosmic origin of the elements
H and He,
He to Iron,
and
All
elements beyond Iron.
3. (Ref text Chapter 23) Sketch
HerschelŐs diagram of our galaxy and answer the following questions.
a. How
did Herschel determine the distance to the Stars?
b. What
caused the strange ŇfingersÓ in his model?
c. What was
its diameter?
d. What is
thought to be the present diameter of the galaxy?
Images
Return the
images and make sure you include the URL and a brief explanation.
4. Stars
Bursting to Life in the Chaotic Carina Nebula: Return the image of the Carina
Nebula in the visible and infrared found at
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2009/25/image/h/
These
images of star birth demonstrate how observations taken in visible and in
infrared light reveal different information. Briefly explain what you are
seeing in the optical image and in the infrared image. Why doesnŐt the optical
image show the detailed information of star birth like the infrared image?
Other references to this image are found at
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap091001.html
5. Return the panorama image of the Milky Way Galaxy
located at
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090926.html
Include a
brief explanation of the image and explain what the dark bands are. Mark the
position of the Magellanic Clouds and explain what they are. Additional
references about this image are found at
http://www.sergebrunier.com/gallerie/pleinciel/index-eng.html
6. Return
images of the Centaurus A galaxy in the visible and infrared region of the
spectrum found at
http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast26oct99_1.htm
Briefly
explain what you are seeing in the optical image and in the x-Ray image.
Explain why they are different? A
composite image is found at
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020812.html
Misc remarks
from Prof Zimmerman
If you are
considering doing the extra credit then an excellent source for Dark Matter can
be found in
Astronomy
Nov 2009. It is a periodical that is found in most stores (Book Store, Safeway,
etc