Week 11 (Nov. 3, 5, 7)
Read: The luminosity of variable stars (Chap. 20) and Galactic spectra (Chap. 21)
Quiz: Monday.
Homework exercises: Variability-Luminosity (Ex. 20.1), optional: Galaxy rotation (Ex. 21.1).
Laboratory exercises: Each group must demonstrate how to set up and polar align the telescope over the next two weeks. When you have done so, scan and submit a lab book page which describes the telescope and how you set it up, including a photograph.
The luminosity of variable stars (2 introductory videos):
The luminosity of variable stars (no videos yet on Henrietta Leavitt…):
Galactic spectra (no videos yet on Vesto Slipher…):
Vesto Slipher carefully observed the light emitted by distant galaxies. For background, you might wish to check out this review article on the discovery and classification of galaxies.
Incidentally, Vesto Slipher discovered the now-famous galactic red-shifts at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona. This observatory has a wonderfully interesting history. It was founded by Percival Lowell. He built the observatory primarily to study the Martian civilization that produced the canals that seemed to criss-cross the surface of Mars. It is also where Pluto was discovered in 1930.
Homework exercises: Variability-Luminosity (Ex. 20.1), optional: Galaxy rotation (Ex. 21.1).
Laboratory exercises: Each group must demonstrate how to set up and polar align the telescope over the next two weeks. When you have done so, scan and submit a lab book page which describes the telescope and how you set it up, including a photograph.
The luminosity of variable stars (2 introductory videos):
The luminosity of variable stars (no videos yet on Henrietta Leavitt…):
Galactic spectra (no videos yet on Vesto Slipher…):
Vesto Slipher carefully observed the light emitted by distant galaxies. For background, you might wish to check out this review article on the discovery and classification of galaxies.
Incidentally, Vesto Slipher discovered the now-famous galactic red-shifts at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona. This observatory has a wonderfully interesting history. It was founded by Percival Lowell. He built the observatory primarily to study the Martian civilization that produced the canals that seemed to criss-cross the surface of Mars. It is also where Pluto was discovered in 1930.