ASTRONOMY 296: Term Paper

The purpose of this assignment is two-fold. First, the ability to write clearly on technical topics is one of the most important skills an astronomer can have, and for most people, requires practice. The second purpose is to allow you to become familiar with some of the astronomical literature, and to give you an excuse to take the time to read more about a subject which interests you.

Choose a subject for your term paper from the topics of the lectures from the course syllabus. If you are involved in a research project yourself you may write your term paper on a topic relevant to your project. Read about the topic in elementary texts on astronomy, and find articles that are relevant in Scientific American, Sky and Telescope, Astronomy magazine, or other popular level literature. Upper class students should also look for relevant articles in the Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics or Review of Modern Physics. These contain articles which are meant to be broad introductions to important subjects in astronomy, for students who are interested in beginning research in these areas. They vary a lot in level and depth (and quality). Some will be quite filled with jargon, but others may be accessible, even to freshmen and sophomores.

If you took Astro 300b from me, please pick a different topic than the topic you wrote your term paper on in that course.

The idea is for you to learn more about this topic, no matter how much you knew before you started reading. Reading the articles and getting your head around the subject is the most important part of the assignment, and you should assume this will take some time.

You should aim to have at least 3 books or articles in your bibliography.  These 3 must NOT include any web sites.

Write no more than 5 pages, summarizing what you learn. Include all references you have found particularly useful. Do NOT include figures.

Submit the topic you have chosen PLUS at least one reference by email to me at jbechtold@as.arizona.edu by March 1.

The paper is due the last day of class, May 3, before the beginning of class at 4pm.