Physics 122: Astronomy Project

• Due no later than (Monday) 12 December 2005
• Length
  • Variable, but note that each project is a substantial part (20%) of your grade
  • Many of you will write a paper of about 2000 words (or about 5 pages of 12 point Times)
• Grading
  • My primary criterion will be, Have I learned anything interesting from this paper?
  • As a science writer, you want to educate in an entertaining way. Remember though, your reader's time is valuable. A really good paper I'll want to photocopy for my records.
• Topics
  • Anything relating to Astronomy of the Solar System. If uncertain, check with me. It is important to find a topic that interests you personally.
  • Here are some examples
    • constellations (names, history, evolution, ...)
    • analemma
    • spaceflight (history, future, ...)
    • Mars Exploration Rovers
    • colonizing Mars
    • Project Apollo
    • planets (formation, geology, exploration, ...)
    • Is Pluto a planet?
    • biographies of astronomers
    • Jupiter's red spot
  • Use your imagination! Fascinating and appropriate topics are out there waiting to be discovered.
  • If you're not sure a particular topic is acceptable (or if you're having trouble finding one that interests you), check with me first.
• Resources
  • Your textbook
  • Timken science library
  • Wooster public library
  • World Wide Web
  • Periodicals
    • Sky & Telescope
    • Astronomy
    • Mercury
    • Scientific American
    • Discover
• Caution
  • The best projects are often the most creative
    • astronomy-based SF stories
    • children's picture astronomy books
    • computer simulations
    • scale models of the planets (or the solar system)
  • The least satisfactory projects are typically mere condensations of a single astronomy magazine article (done the night before!)