Astronomy C

[Jim_R]

Discussion for Astronomy C

Astronomy Wiki
2012 Tests for Astronomy
2009 Thread
2010 Thread
2011 Thread

[EASTstroudsburg13]

Stellar evolution anyone?

I like how type 1a supernovae seem to be emphasized this year, since it works well with evolution, but allows it to branch out a little bit into variable stars and other subjects. This could be an interesting topic, although I do admit that I really liked active galaxies last year.

I'm currently working on a DSO table to put on the wiki. You can find it on my user page: Eaststroudsburg13's Userpage. I have it set up for Epsilon Aurigae (our favorite) as a demonstration, so please take a look at it, and let me know what you think and what you think needs to be added, if anything. I can only put so much information on the table before it starts wrapping around, so there is a limit.

[astroblue]

This is my first year doing astronomy and from what I've read, it's one of the most difficult events . I think I have enough materials to cover the stellar evolution/supernovae part, but can you guys suggest anything like books or websites to help me learn the physics part of the event? Like reading light curves and spectra and whatnot?

[EASTstroudsburg13]

It is rather difficult, since there's a lot of information, but you're allowed a laptop and/or a binder, so you can take a lot in with you. In terms of textbooks, I haven't used any personally (although now would be a good time for me to get one ), so I can't really help you there. In terms of websites, normally just by Googling key topics you can find what you want. However, I can give you a brief overview of light curves and spectra.

Light curves show the magnitude of a star plotted over time. The time is usually measured in Julian days, and this is useful with variable stars like supernovae since they show magnitude changes with time. This picture is an example of a light curve, and it is especially relevant since it's about supernovae:

Light spectra show what wavelengths of light are emitted or absorbed by an object (this is the difference between absorption and emission spectra). This is useful since certain gases have certain spectra associated with them, so you can identify what gases are coming from an object. I'm not that familiar with other types of spectra.

I hope this was helpful. I don't know how advanced you are, so you might know this already. If you have further questions, feel free to ask.

[astroblue]

Thank you!
I'm not very "advanced" in astronomy, I'm doing astronomy because I think my physics abilites might come in useful here . I don't have any other questions currently, but I might get some more once my coach hands out the rules lol

[smartkid222]

Stellar evolution anyone?

I like how type 1a supernovae seem to be emphasized this year, since it works well with evolution, but allows it to branch out a little bit into variable stars and other subjects. This could be an interesting topic, although I do admit that I really liked active galaxies last year.

They changed the topic!? Gah.
The rules have not been released yet so how do you know?

[Schrodingerscat]

They changed the topic!? Gah.
The rules have not been released yet so how do you know?

The short event descriptions are now on the website.

[smartkid222]

Thanks!

Has stellar evolution been a topic before?
How close is it to variable stars? Would old tests from when the topic was variable stars be good for practice?

[Infinity Flat]

Thanks!

Has stellar evolution been a topic before?
How close is it to variable stars? Would old tests from when the topic was variable stars be good for practice?

I'm almost positive that an important part of the event will be variable stars. Equally important will be Stellar Evolution in general, and especially Supernovae.

[salcedam]

Stellar evolution anyone?

I like how type 1a supernovae seem to be emphasized this year, since it works well with evolution, but allows it to branch out a little bit into variable stars and other subjects. This could be an interesting topic, although I do admit that I really liked active galaxies last year.

I'm currently working on a DSO table to put on the wiki. You can find it on my user page: Eaststroudsburg13's Userpage. I have it set up for Epsilon Aurigae (our favorite) as a demonstration, so please take a look at it, and let me know what you think and what you think needs to be added, if anything. I can only put so much information on the table before it starts wrapping around, so there is a limit.

I like what you did. I don't know if it's possible to do this without having the table wrap, but you could add more than one image of each DSO (preferably one of each type: infrared, composite, etc.). Besides that, it looks good.

[astroblue]

Thanks!

Has stellar evolution been a topic before?
How close is it to variable stars? Would old tests from when the topic was variable stars be good for practice?

I'm almost positive that an important part of the event will be variable stars. Equally important will be Stellar Evolution in general, and especially Supernovae.

Why do you think Variable Stars will be important in this year's tests?

[AlphaTauri]

Thanks!

Has stellar evolution been a topic before?
How close is it to variable stars? Would old tests from when the topic was variable stars be good for practice?

I'm almost positive that an important part of the event will be variable stars. Equally important will be Stellar Evolution in general, and especially Supernovae.

Why do you think Variable Stars will be important in this year's tests?

As they evolve, some (most?) giant stars cross the Instability Strip on the H-R diagram, which makes them...well, unstable. Because of this, they pulsate and their brightness varies, creating intrinsic variable stars (Cepheids, RR Lyrae, etc.).

Also, stars that go supernova are automatically variable stars, because their luminosity suddenly jumps when they explode.

[astroblue]

haha, thank you for the insight, I'll be sure to look into variable stars a bit
How much does the year's topic influence the questions generally. Like, I know for Disease Detectives, there are scenarios based around the topic, like food-borne illness, along with some more general questions. Are there any recurring types of problems/topics that it's imperative to know?
And I know I already asked this, but now that this thread is getting more posts, does anyone have any book recommendations for someone starting this event without any previous knowledge in astronomy? I know quite a bit of physics though

[Infinity Flat]

haha, thank you for the insight, I'll be sure to look into variable stars a bit
How much does the year's topic influence the questions generally. Like, I know for Disease Detectives, there are scenarios based around the topic, like food-borne illness, along with some more general questions. Are there any recurring types of problems/topics that it's imperative to know?
And I know I already asked this, but now that this thread is getting more posts, does anyone have any book recommendations for someone starting this event without any previous knowledge in astronomy? I know quite a bit of physics though

For the basics, I can't recommend astronomynotes.com enough.
For the more advanced stuff, I personally use Carrol & Ostlie's "An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics."

[bookluvr-yoyo39]

Hi! it is my first year doing astronomy in scioly, only because i just entered high school. as for my background, i did solar system for 2 years in the past.. thank you so much for the websites and the books!! do you have any tips as to other books for astronomy?

thanks....
also, does anyone know how the test is usually structured?