PLUTO short response

Is Pluto a planet? What’s your opinion on the matter? Note, you don’t have to argue whether or not it passes the rules set down in 2006. We’ll take it as a given that it doesn’t. This is more about what you think about those rules. Nothing will be settled here, but it’s still fun […]

Read More »

Thomas Kuhn-Paradigm Shift

Prompt: Discuss how the subject matter of Lecture 2 (on Thomas Kuhn and paradigm shifts) and Lecture 3 (on the development of scientific method out of epistemology) help explicate and expound on the readings from Big History concerning the first four thresholds. In other words, how did the history of the development of scientific method […]

Read More »

Terrestrial Planets Short Response

Purpose:Explain the merits of one Terrestrial planet over another as a target of interest. Skills and Knowledge:This assignment will help you differentiate between the Terrestrial planets of our solar system and allow you to argue for one as being of greater interest over the others. Task:Answer this question: if you could, which Terrestrial planet would […]

Read More »

Earth Interior Incomplete Concept Map

Purpose: Describe the basic components of the interior of a Terrestrial Planet like Earth. Skills and Knowledge: The purpose of this assignment is to help you practice linking different concepts together in a visual map, as you identify the different layers making up Earth’s inner structure. This assignment will also help you to become familiar […]

Read More »

Hawaiian Telescope Activity: Astronomy

View the video below (from Where Telescopes Are Built/Located page). Post in the Discussion thread what you think are the strong (if any) arguments on both sides of the issue (building vs. not building the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea). React to at least one classmate’s post.

Read More »

The Big Bang Theory vs alternative forms of universal creation

Submit a statement comparing and/or contrasting the theory of the big bang with another cosmology.Each written assignment should not merely report basic information. A good written assignment is structured around a basic argument. The arguments/issues are laid out in the assignments. Be sure to present the variety of perspectives addressed in the course readings on […]

Read More »

Discussion and exercise

Consider the following discussions and write a minimum 3 sentence response to each question Suppose an asteroid or comet is on a collision course with Earth: 1. Which object do you think would do the most damage and why? Discuss some of the factors that govern which object would damage us the most. 2. Discuss […]

Read More »

Discussion astronomy

Astronomers image various objects and phenomena using different types of telescopes designed to capture various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Use the image provided, review your ‘Light’ lecture, and visit the NASA link provided to answer the following questions. Light_acc.ppt Why don’t we just image the sky with visible telescopes? 2. Why do we put […]

Read More »