Instructor Guide for
The Cosmic Perspective Seventh Edition
JEFFREY BENNETT University of Colorado at Boulder
MEGAN DONAHUE Michigan State University
NICHOLAS SCHNEIDER University of Colorado at Boulder
MARK VOIT Michigan State University
About the Instructor Guide The Instructor Guide contains resources designed for use with the textbook The Cosmic Perspective, Seventh Edition, in either its complete form or in the two available split forms (The Solar System: The Cosmic Perspective, or Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology: The Cosmic Perspective). The introductory sections contain material designed to help you prepare for your course. The bulk of the guide then is organized chapter-by-chapter, with teaching hints and answers to questions and problems from the text. This Instructor Guide is also available in the Instructor’s Resource area on the text Web site, www.masteringastronomy.com, or on the Instructor Resource Center, www.pearsonhighered.com/irc. If you have additional questions or comments, you may contact the authors directly by e-mailing the lead author, Jeffrey Bennett: jeffrey.bennett@comcast.net.
Table of Contents About the Instructor Guide ......................................................... iii Which Version of The Cosmic Perspective Fits Your Course? .. 1 Courses Suited to The Cosmic Perspective ................................................................................................. 1 Alternate Versions of The Cosmic Perspective........................................................................................... 1
Sample Course Outlines ................................................................ 2 What If I Want to Teach Stars and Galaxies Before the Solar System? ..................................................... 2 To Math or Not To Math? .......................................................................................................................... 3 Sample Outline 1: One Semester, Solar System Emphasis......................................................................... 4 Sample Outline 2: One Semester, Solar System/Sky Emphasis ................................................................. 5 Sample Outline 3: One Semester, Stars/Galaxies/Cosmology Emphasis ................................................... 6 Sample Outline 4: One Semester, Stars/Galaxies/Cosmology Emphasis with Relativity........................... 7 Sample Outline 5: One Semester, “Everything” Course ............................................................................. 8 Sample Outline 6: One Semester, “Everything” Course (Solar System Last) ............................................ 9 Sample Outline 7: One Quarter, Solar System Emphasis ......................................................................... 10 Sample Outline 8: One Quarter, Stars/Galaxies/Cosmology Emphasis .................................................... 11 Sample Outline 9: One Quarter, Stars/Galaxies/Cosmology Emphasis with Relativity ........................... 12
The Pedagogical Approach of The Cosmic Perspective ............ 13 Themes of The Cosmic Perspective .......................................................................................................... 13 Pedagogical Principles of The Cosmic Perspective .................................................................................. 14 The Topical Structure of The Cosmic Perspective .................................................................................... 17 Part I—Developing Perspective (Chapters 1–3, S1).......................................................................... 17 Part II—Key Concepts for Astronomy (Chapters 4–6) ..................................................................... 18 Part III—Learning from Other Worlds (Chapters 7–13) ................................................................... 19 Part IV—A Deeper Look at Nature (Chapters S2–S4) ...................................................................... 20 Part V—Stars (Chapters 14–18) ........................................................................................................ 22 Part VI—Galaxies and Beyond (Chapters 19–23) ............................................................................. 22 Part VII—Life on Earth and Beyond (Chapter 24) ............................................................................ 24 Chapter Structure in The Cosmic Perspective........................................................................................... 25 Basic Structural Elements .................................................................................................................. 25 Additional “Feature” Elements .......................................................................................................... 27 Getting the Most Out of Each Chapter .............................................................................................. 28
Preparing Your Course: Suggestions for First-Time Astronomy Teachers .................................................................... 28 What Is Teaching All About? ................................................................................................................... 28 General Notes on Course Preparation ....................................................................................................... 29
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Setting Your Grading Policy..................................................................................................................... 31 Weighting the Components of the Final Grade ................................................................................. 32 The Grading Scale ............................................................................................................................. 33 Setting Your Homework Policy ................................................................................................................ 33 Selective Homework Grading............................................................................................................ 34 Homework Help ................................................................................................................................ 35 Setting Your Testing Policy ...................................................................................................................... 35 Multiple-Choice or Essay? ................................................................................................................ 36 Should You Give Short Quizzes? ...................................................................................................... 36 How About Exams? ........................................................................................................................... 37 The Test Bank.................................................................................................................................... 38 The First Day of Class .............................................................................................................................. 38 Suggested First Day Assignment ....................................................................................................... 38 Structuring Class Sessions ................................................................................................................. 39 Evaluating Your Teaching ................................................................................................................. 39 Post-Lecture Evaluations ................................................................................................................... 40 Feedback on Homework .................................................................................................................... 40 Notes on Interpreting Evaluations ..................................................................................................... 40
Suggestions on Making Your Lectures Interactive .................. 41 Basic Interactions .............................................................................................................................. 42 Clickers or “Classroom Response Systems” .................................................................................... 43 Collaborative Learning ...................................................................................................................... 44 Avoiding Intimidation ....................................................................................................................... 44 Personalizing the Impersonal Classroom ........................................................................................... 45 Selected Resources on Interactive Teaching ..................................................................................... 46
Chapter-by-Chapter Guide Part I: Developing Perspective ................................................... 47 Chapter 1. A Modern View of the Universe ......................................... 47 Teaching Notes (By Section) .................................................................................................................... 48 Answers/Discussion Points for Think About It/See It for Yourself Questions ......................................... 51 Solutions to End-of-Chapter Problems (Chapter 1) .................................................................................. 52
Chapter 2. Discovering the Universe for Yourself ............................... 64 Teaching Notes (By Section) .................................................................................................................... 64 Answers/Discussion Points for Think About It/See It for Yourself Questions ......................................... 67 Solutions to End-of-Chapter Problems (Chapter 2) .................................................................................. 69
Chapter 3. The Science of Astronomy ................................................... 80 Teaching Notes (By Section) .................................................................................................................... 80 Answers/Discussion Points for Think About It/See It for Yourself Questions ......................................... 82 Solutions to End-of-Chapter Problems (Chapter 3) .................................................................................. 83
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Chapter S1. Celestial Timekeeping and Navigation ............................ 91 Teaching Notes (By Section) .................................................................................................................... 91 Answers/Discussion Points for Think About It/See It for Yourself Questions ......................................... 92 Solutions to End-of-Chapter Problems (Chapter S1) ................................................................................ 93
Part II: Key Concepts for Astronomy ..................................... 105 Chapter 4. Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity .............................................................................. 105 Teaching Notes (By Section) .................................................................................................................. 105 Answers/Discussion Points for Think About It/See It for Yourself Questions ....................................... 107 Solutions to End-of-Chapter Problems (Chapter 4) ................................................................................ 108
Chapter 5. Light and Matter: Reading Messages from the Cosmos .................................................................................................... 124 Teaching Notes (By Section) .................................................................................................................. 124 Answers/Discussion Points for Think About It/See It for Yourself Questions ....................................... 126 Solutions to End-of-Chapter Problems (Chapter 5) ................................................................................ 127
Chapter 6. Telescopes: Portals of Discovery....................................... 140 Teaching Notes (By Section) .................................................................................................................. 140 Answers/Discussion Points for Think About It/See It for Yourself Questions ....................................... 141 Solutions to End-of-Chapter Problems (Chapter 6) ................................................................................ 142
Part III: Learning from Other Worlds ................................... 150 Chapter 7. Our Planetary System ........................................................ 150 Teaching Notes (By Section) .................................................................................................................. 150 Answers/Discussion Points for Think About It/See It for Yourself Questions ....................................... 151 Solutions to End-of-Chapter Problems (Chapter 7) ................................................................................ 152
Chapter 8. Formation of the Solar System ......................................... 162 Teaching Notes (By Section) .................................................................................................................. 162 Answers/Discussion Points for Think About It/See It for Yourself Questions ....................................... 164 Solutions to End-of-Chapter Problems (Chapter 8) ................................................................................ 165
Chapter 9. Planetary Geology: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds .................................................................................................... 174 Teaching Notes (By Section) .................................................................................................................. 175 Answers/Discussion Points for Think About It/See It for Yourself Questions ....................................... 176 Solutions to End-of-Chapter Problems (Chapter 9) ................................................................................ 177
Chapter 10. Planetary Atmospheres: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds ................................................................................. 188 Teaching Notes (By Section) .................................................................................................................. 188 Answers/Discussion Points for Think About It/See It for Yourself Questions ....................................... 189 Solutions to End-of-Chapter Problems (Chapter 10) .............................................................................. 191
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