Assignment
#1 Overview
ASTR 122,
Robert L Zimmerman
Assigned Jan 14, Monday------ Due Jan 23, Wednesday
(Maximum number of points for this assignment is 8)
You are asked to return
various images and answer a few questions. You MUST place all images in a word
processor. Under each image you must include a brief description with the URL where
you located the image. You do not
have to use the suggested URLs that I give you. If the assignment is late or
you do not place the pictures in a word processor you will be graded down. You
cannot “screen dump” the images---they must be placed in a word processor like
Word. You cannot Xerox another person’s report and replace their name with
yours even if you do the assignment together! Please come to my office before
the assignment is due if you are having trouble and I will help you or tell you
if you have done it correctly.
Questions
1. What is the speed of light (in a vacuum) in units of
Meters/sec, Centimeters/sec, miles
/sec. How long does it take light to travel to Alpha Centauri (distance is 1.3
parsec), from the sun to the Earth, and from one end of the galaxy to the
other?
2. What are the colors light for the following wavelengths: 400
nanometers and
700 nanometers? Which photon would
have the largest energy? Which color has the highest frequency? What is the wavelength in Angstroms?
3. Based on Kirchhoff’s laws
answer the following:
a. According to Kirchhoff's first
law an incandescent solid or gas under high pressure will produce what kind of
spectrum?
b. According to Kirchhoff's second
law a low-density gas will produce what kind of spectrum?
c. According to Kirchhoff's third
law a continuous radiation viewed through a low-density gas will produce what
kind of spectrum?
4. What kind of spectrum is formed when an electron changes to
a higher orbit? Explain. When an electron changes to a lower orbit? Explain.
5. Consider the following temperature intervals:
<.03K,
.03-30K, 30-4100K, 4100-7300K, 7300-3 x 106K, 3x106-3x108K, > 3x108K.
Express the temperature intervals in centigrade.
and state what type of radiation is emitted in each temperature range. What type or radiation
does your body emit? What type of radiation is mainly emitted by the Sun?
Images
Return the images and make sure
you include the URL and a brief explanation.
6. Return an
infrared picture of our sister galaxy the Andromeda
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap070721.html
Explain what you
are seeing.
7. Return an
x-ray picture of the Eagle Nebula interstellar nebula where new stars are being
born
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap070224.html
Explain what you
are seeing
8. Planetary
nebulae is the final phase in the evolution of stars with masses less than
about 8- times the mass of the Sun. The Sun will enter the Planetary Nebula
stage in about 5 billion years.
Return an image of a planetary nebula with a brief explanation in your own word. Possible URLS:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060625.html
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060112.html
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap070116.html
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap070223.html
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap021108.html
9 Supernovae are the death of massive stars and are
the most violent events in the galaxy. Return an image of a supernovae remnant
with a brief explanation. Possible URLS: