Joel.Simone

Introduction to history and physical principles of astronomy, focusing on our Solar System. Includes view of heavens, historical development of scientific models of the sky, telescopes, formation and evolution of the solar system, and the possibilities for life in space.

• Instructor
• Midterm Paper
• Class Journal
• Comments

Instructor

Laura Sparks
Ms. Spark’s Las Positas College Website

Course Links

• Ast-10 Class Website
• Ms. Spark’s Las Positas College Website
• Text Book Interactive Supplement: Mastering Astronomy
  
• Observer’s Took Kit
• Really Useful Interactive Sky Chart
• Cosmic Perspective, The Solar System, Course text book

Midterm Paper

I ended up doing my paper on Issac Newton, for I was fascinated with his discoveries and impact on science. I received 100% of possible credit for the paper.

Class Journal

• Class 1- The First Day: 8.21@8pm
  • The first day of Astr-10 we worked on a project to determine the direction of the sun in relation to ourselves. It was very challenging and required far more interactive and abstract thinking then hammering out studies in a book. Many students, as I, were confused in applying the concepts. Though, there was a nice moment while I was outside, when we were figuring the direction of the revolution around the sun. I had a realization while swooping my hand in a looping direction harmonious with the revolution. I reacted, “Wow, that’s a trip!” Jennifer, a young lady in my group, had the realization at the same time. Sharing this abstract moment was nice.
• Class 2- Visual Learner: 8.23@5pm
  • Ms. Sparks introduced some mathematical equations we will be working with. Most if it was a primer for working in Scientific Notation. I don’t remember working in Scientific Notation in high school, so it was new to me. During the lesson I realized how much of a visual and internal learner I am. When Ms. Sparks was working out the equations I was lost, but once I reviewed the concept at home, it was all a lot more clear. Our homework is reading chapter 1 and part of chapter 2.
• Homework Long Hours: 8.24@5pm
  • I spent too much time on the homework, around 5 hours or so. This may be too much time, though I am not sure. I was taking in the intro to the book and the chapter materials. Next time I will just read with out so much association and conceptualization. It may be best to read captions, read, answer questions, and then review.
• Class 3- Planets to Scale: 8.28@5pm
  • I met Colin, Ravin, Marry, and Chris in a classroom exercise, working on word problems to figure out the scale of planets. Colin and I did the check and balances on the number crunching, and the others road the wave. Our homework is to bring in something the scale of our planet. Our planet was Neptune, and we scaled it down to .5cm.
• Homework Ch-2: 8.29@2pm
  • The homework for chapter 2 wasn’t as math intensive for me, some of the similar applied concepts. I will ask Ms. Sparks to double check my math challenge for review, for I have already spent nearly 2.5 hours alone, and I still have additional studies to do.
• Class 4- Journal: 6.21@5pm
  • Ms. Sparks introduced how to log information in our star journals. I am still considering an online journal as a special assignment. At the end of class we scaled the planets down to mm and cm. Ms. Sparks then proceeded to place each planet at its approximate distance from the sun. In order to do so, we had to walk outside of the classroom and all the way down campus… and we didn’t even make it to Neptune. The project did a great job of bringing the scale of our universe into perspective, planets really are tiny in comparison to the size of the solar system. I have finished the homework, so I will work on my journal, and if I have time I will study and review that last trouble problem from the homework. Also, over the weekend I will make my first log in the Star journal. Eventually the star journal date will be set for Tuesday nights.
• Class 5- Parallax & Retrogression: 9.4@5:30pm
  • Haley’s idea for figuring out the distance to the sun was explained in class today, using Parallax. Ms. Sparks also lectured on Retrogression. Our homework is to read 3.1 & 3.2 by Thurs, and the rest of 3 by next Tuesday(9.11). The answers to the questions for chapter 3 are due in on the following Tue (9.18). She also gave us specific notes on the next journal entry. I will try to do my Journal tonight and tomorrow night.
• Class 6- Quiz 1 and Parallax: 9.6@5:30pm
  • I think I did OK on the quiz. I may have missed several. I had a good general understanding of placement and concepts, but I fell short on some specifics. I will have to wait and see the results of the test next week. Our home work is chapter 3, the questions for the home work are listed on the the class website. I will work on this tomorrow, when I do my Health, English, and Speech.
• Class 7- Received Quiz Grades: 9.11@5:30pm
  • I earned a 27/30 on the quiz. There were a few I slipped up on, while a one I got lucky on. Today in class, Ms. Sparks lectured on the history of Astrology. Towards the end she also passed out notes for our next journal observation. Details are on her website. My homework is todo the journal observation and to study.
• Class 9- Equinox Analysis and Quiz on Thurs: 9.19@2pm
  • A day late on this post, also note, I missed a log for Class 8. Ms. Sparks lectured on the supplementary chapter, she also told us to read the chapter. Our quiz on chapter 3 is tomorrow, and we were given an Equinox Analysis assignment for our observation. I will not be able to make the equinox analysis on the day of the equinox, for it is the same day as my brother’s birthday. So I will work on the analysis on Friday.
• Class 10- The Quiz: 9.20@2pm
  • I may have earned a B on the quiz. I didn’t get to spend the amount of time I would of liked on the quiz, and this was due to focus on other classes. The dates and times of certain scientists was a tough one to remember. We also watched a really cool video on the Copernicus Revolution. We are supposed to read chapter 4 by Tuesday, I will read it on Monday.
• Class 11- Test Scores & Homework: 9.25@4:30pm
  • Ms. Sparks handed out test scores today, and I was surprised I received a 27/30, the highest grade in the class. Many of the other student’s scores were very low, and Ms. Sparks offered extra credit solutions, and in addition she restructured her class lectures by emphasizing points she will test. I was very impressed by her open and collaborative response. Our homework is to do the questions in the text book, due the first Thurs. in October.
• Class 12- Chapter 4 Lecture: 9.27@5:30pm
  • Ms. Sparks lectured on chapter 4 today. It was a nice lecture. Nothing new. Our homework is due next Thursday.
• Class 13- Study Guide: 10.2@5:20pm
  • Ms. Sparks handed out the study guides for Chapter 4 today. In class she continued a lecture on chapter 4. Our homework is to study for the test.
• Class 14- Chapter 4 Quiz: 10.5@1:40pm
  • Yesterday we had our chapter 4 quiz. I think I did alright. This chapter has influenced me to do my report on Newton, and I would like to work on this tomorrow. Homework is to read up on chapter 5.
• Class 15- Return of Chapter 4 Quiz: 10.9@8pm
  • I received a 22/25 on my quiz, the one I was very tired when taking. So I did OK considering my lack of sleep. ¶ Our homework for next week was announced, due Thurs., and our mid-term papers our due next Monday, so I will focus on finishing the paper tomorrow. I picked up books and a DVD at the Library today. ¶ On another note, I found a huge selection of movies at LPC… including Bergman’s Fanny and Alexander, yes! Also, I have to send out Rob’s email tonight… don’t forget!
• Class 17- Study Guide CH 5 10.17@2:30pm
  • Yesterday, we reviewed the rest of Chapter 5, and we were given the study guide for Chapter 5. We were also assigned to read 6.1 and 6.2. I will focus on the studies for Chapter 5.
• Class 19- Received Tests 10.23@6pm
  • I earned a 24/25 on the last test, so things went pretty well. We are also given the chance to give extra credit. I will do both of the extra credit assignments, one poem and a test before class. Our homework is to look some things up on line about a spacecraft that traveled to Saturn. Ms. Sparks also gave us our next observational journal, to find mars and a far off universe.
• Class 21- Class Canceled 10.30@5:30pm
  • Class was canceled today. I emailed Ms. Sparks about the test and homework due Thursday, maybe the test will be delayed.
• Class 23- Chapter 9 11.7@1:20pm
  • Yesterday, Ms. Sparks assigned Chapter 9 for homework. We will also have a test on Chapters 8 & 9 on Thursday, 11.8.
• Class 24- Chapter 9 continued 11.8@3:40pm
  • I did not do that well on this test. I absorbed the material that wasn’t on the test, but that’s ok, sometimes this happens. Regardless, I enjoyed the content of the associated chapters. ¶ Our homework is to do a work sheet on a planet of our choice.
• Class 26- Chapter 10 11.8@4pm
  • I got a 20/25 on the quiz, which was more or less what I expected. I will do a poetry reading in the near future for extra credit. Also, our homework due Tuesday is on Chapter 10. I believe the test will be on Thursday, because a study guide was not handed out. I will continue studies on Astronomy next week.
• Class 27- Moon Lecture 11.20@3pm
  • Ms. Sparks lectured on her favorite outer solarsystem moons. Our homework is to find an article from arXiv.org and write half a page about it.
• Class 28- Current Grades 11.27@3pm
  • I received my current grades today, a 97% A. I was also given the study guide for this Thursdays test on chapters 9-11.
• Class 32- Final Study Guides 12.12@3pm
  • Yesterday, Ms. Sparks handed out the study guide fro the final; a list of 80 questions about Astronomy. ¶ I was so busy last week with my honors presentation (The Doorway Movie Project), I didn’t have time to make any logs, but Ms. Sparks showed up! ¶ Anyhow, last week we had a test on chapter 10, I think it was, and I earned a 24/25. Yesterday, there was an optional test on Chapter 11; I passed on it. Other then that, there is nothing more to do… but study. I will write my class summary in the coming week.
• Class 33- Last Lecture 12.15@3pm
  • Yesterday we had our last class lecture. Ms. Sparks did a special lecture on black holes. I was very interested and challenged by the subject. She explained how physics may drastically change inside a black hole. I’m having trouble interpreting the way time was explained, i.e., as a part of a dimension, so I desire further studying and reflection. Our final is next Tuesday.