The universe is a dangerous place and our Earth is a fragile home. If an asteroid can wipe out the dinosaurs, what would a nearby supernova do to human civilization? We will explore the astronomical facts, not fiction, of the many perils that threaten our planet, and estimate the odds of surviving to the end of the semester and beyond.
This one-credit course is only open to first-year students. No background in physics or astronomy is required.
More information about this course is available in our tab on Sakai (Byrne Seminar: Death from the Skies Sp13).
Public observing nights at the Schommer Observatory (on the roof of Serin) take place on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, weather permitting.
| Instructor: | Prof. Saurabh W Jha |
Prof. Tad Pryor |
| Office: | ||
| Office Hours: | Wednesdays 3:30-4:30pm |
Tuesdays 3-4pm |
| Email: | saurabh[at]physics.rutgers.edu |
pryor[at]physics.rutgers.edu |
| Phone: | 732-445-5500 ext 6979 |
732-445-5500 ext 5462 |
The textbook we will use is Death from the Skies! by Philip Plait. The course is tightly integrated with this textbook, so the textbook is required.
There will be reading and homework assigned for class meetings 2-5. The reading will be a chapter from the book, and the homework will be to write a response paragraph based on the reading, with assigned questions to guide you. The homework will be posted on Sakai and will be due by the beginning of class. No late homeworks will be accepted.
In the second half of the course, we will work on a class project, culminating with in-class presentations during the last two class meetings. More details about the project will be posted on Sakai.
This class is graded credit or no-credit. This determination will be made based on in-class attendance and participation, the written homework assignments, and the project.
This syllabus may be modified as the semester progresses. The assignments are listed on the date they are due.
Meeting |
Date |
Topics |
Assignment |
1 |
Jan 28 |
course introduction |
|
2 |
Feb 4 |
asteroids and impacts |
read: Chapter 1 homework on Sakai |
3 |
Feb 11 |
the Sun: solar flares to stellar evolution |
read: Chapter 2 homework on Sakai |
4 |
Feb 18 |
exploding stars: supernovae |
read: Chapter 3 homework on Sakai |
5 |
Feb 25 |
when aliens attack |
read: Chapter 6 homework on Sakai |
6 |
Mar 4 |
project research |
|
7 |
Mar 11 |
project research |
|
Mar 18 |
spring break! no class |
||
8 |
Mar 25 |
project research |
|
9 |
Apr 1 |
project presentations |
|
10 |
Apr 8 |
project presentations |
Students with disabilities should consult the department policy.
Students will be held to the Rutgers policy on academic integrity.
Astrophysics at Rutgers
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Rutgers University
Last updated: February 19, 2013 swj