Discussion IV - Astrology & Weight and Mass in the Universe

1.- The "dark constellations" of the Inkas: Lluthu, a partridge in the Coalsack Nebula2

Source: http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FIAU%2FIAU5_S260%2FS1743921311002183a.pdf&code=b458365823d951167005a5003ed21b36

3.- Annular Eclipse

Remember that: "The Sun's distance from Earth is about 400 times the Moon's distance, and the Sun's diameter  is about 400 times the Moon's diameter. Because these ratios are approximately the same, the Sun and the Moon as seen from Earth appear to be approximately the same size: about 0.5 degree of arc in angular measure"

and that the orbit of moon is elliptical and inclined to the ecliptic at an angle of 5 degrees. 

2.- A little bit of humor...and physics :)

3.- Your weight on other worlds calculator:

http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/

4. What would happen to your weight if: (1) Earth's mass increased by a factor of 5? (2) Earth's size doubled?

5.- Ancient astronomers that you need to remember

Discussion III - Celestial Coordinates & Astrology

1.- Did you know that according to a very recent survey, 1 In 4 Americans thinks the sun goes around the Earth?

Here you can read more: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/14/277058739/1-in-4-americans-think-the-sun-goes-around-the-earth-survey-says

and that ~55% of Americans in the 18 to 24 age range think astrology is "very" or "sort of scientific"?

Caveat: some people confuse astrology with astronomy

Read more here: http://neoacademic.com/2014/02/14/nsf-report-flawed-americans-do-not-believe-astrology-is-scientific/#.Uv-gmEJdXLZ

2.- Wild Wild West and the Full Moon:

We will watch this part of the movie and discuss about this 'special' full moon at discussion section.

Link to video: http://www.astro.umd.edu/~rhc/www.mov

Curious about more examples of bad astronomy in movies? 
Check this website: http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/movies/index.html#list

I highly recommend to read the comments on the movie Armageddon ;)

3.- Celestial Coordinates:

Discussion II - Seasons & Moon Phases

1.- Remember the first class when we asked you: "List 3 things that you would like to learn in this astronomy class". Well, here are the results for sections 105 and 106:

As you can see, solar system related topics were the most voted!

2.- Why are there seasons on Earth? Let's ask Harvard Graduates ;)

3.- Useful links:

Sun Motions Overview 
Meridional Altitude

4.- Summary of what we discussed on Wednesday: