GenS 4001 Astronomy

Mini Essays

You may decide to write these mini-essays instead of attempting a web-based project if your prefer. Answers for each question should typically be around three-quarters to a page of written text. You should answer all five questions.

Why was the discovery of Neptune a major confirmation of Newton's universal law of gravitation? Was the discovery of Pluto similarly momentous?
Speculate on the possibility that life might once have exisited on Mars. You might find the Mars Exploration Rovers website at http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html useful for your research.
Why does Antarctica offer exceptional conditions for observing the stars? Discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of working there. You may find it helpful to read the South Pole Diaries at http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/astro/southpole2004/ to see what the UNSW astronomers achieved with their work at the South Pole and Dome C this year.
Why is the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram such an important tool for astronomers understanding of the life cycles of stars?
Discuss the latest measurements by astronomers that the Universe is made up of 73% dark energy, 23% dark matter and just 4% visible material (like stars, planets and people)? (You may also find it useful to look at the MAP website at http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov.)

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