Astronomy 101: Moons and Planets - Class 1

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

Week 1 -- September 6: Introduction: Overview of the Solar System, its origin and layout

Syllabus | Class Roster

Handouts:
Starmaps: North | South | East | West | Overhead

When the class arrived in the newly refurbished attic classroom, Monty Python's "The Galaxy Song was playing and Ellie was humming along. She was wearing a black t-shirt with an image of the Milky Way Galaxy and a "You are here" arrow. There was a stack of textbooks beside her, along with CDs of a an astronomy program.

"Hi!" Ellie said, smiling broadly. "Welcome to Astronomy 101. I recognize some of you from my summer camp workshops and I'm glad I didn't scare you away by talking too much. Today we're just going to go over a brief introduction to the Solar System, and then I'll show you around the telescope. You'll find the Hartmann text is a little out of date since Pluto was just demoted. But most of the facts should remain the same, and even in the chapter on Pluto there is the debate on just whether it should be a planet or not. Also, the program I'm giving you is a great resource for learning to spot constellations and the planets. Have fun with it."

After having the students introduce themselves, Ellie went on to lecture about the formation and layout of the Solar System. "For fun, check out this website," she said as she finished the lecture. She wrote the URL on the board. "You can create your own little Solar System. And make the planets crash into each other."

Ellie beckoned the students toward a door in the back of the classroom. Stair led upward into another room with a retractable domed roof. "This is Maria," she said, sweeping her arm toward the large telescope that dominated the room. "If you come to the observation lab tonight, we can take a look at a few objects. The moon will be full and we can take a look at the Andromeda Galaxy. I hope I see you all there! Observation Lab attendance is ten percent of your grade, but I hope you learn to enjoy it, too."

Comments

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[tatooine-doofus.livejournal.com]

"What's wrong with it is that there aren't any more Jedi!" Luke replied, voice getting heated. "It wasn't supposed to be like this."

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"No, it wasn't." Parker thought of the prophecy in Special Collections, then frowned. Maybe remind Rory of that, but not mention it to Luke just yet. "But then, that's why you're here, I guess. Since it isn't safe out there," she gestured at the sky beyond the telescope, "and there are people here who can at least get you started. Bridge, Isabel. Some of the others." She grinned. "Or maybe just to get some of the shiny rubbed off you, before you go out and do anything else."

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[tatooine-doofus.livejournal.com]

"I already talked with Isabel," Luke said, "but I haven't met Bridge yet."

He frowned. "And I'm not shiny."

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Bridge is nice. I don't think I know anyone who dislikes him. He's a cadet in a future police force, and he has TK powers and some other psychic stuff too." She cocked her head, then grinned. "You are so shiny. There are coins out there, fresh off the press? That don't squeak like you, Luke."

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[tatooine-doofus.livejournal.com]

"What's TK?"

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Sorry, telekinesis. Moving things with your mind. Bridge has a TK ball he practices with sometimes. Also, psychic sand." Parker pouted. "Which I can't make move. I'm pretty sure the one time it did, Bridge was doing it for me."

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[tatooine-doofus.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Isabel was doing that as she was cooking," Luke said, smiling. "I didn't know that was possible. She said she'd help me."

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Isabel can also change your hair color for you. If you're feeling adventurous." Parker grinned. "Just ask any of the Stickbug guys. She's one of my best friends, actually. Nail polish changing is *so* much easier around her."

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[tatooine-doofus.livejournal.com]

Luke stared at her. "I don't wear nail polish."

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Yet."

Parker held that very sober look for fifteen seconds, then grinned. "And it's not mandatory. Even if Johnina, Greggette, and Petra show up on occasion with no warning and look remarkably like male students with similar names."

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[tatooine-doofus.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't want to upset Rayanne or Charlene," Luke said, and he wasn't planning to eloborate. "But I'll talk with Isabel and Bridge," he said. "Thanks for the advice."

Re: Talk amongst yourselves

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Sure." Parker frowns. Was she just helpful? Hunh. Maybe she needed more coffee.