Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
[Version 1]
[20 points.] NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5 m diameter reflecting telescope mounted on a converted Boeing 747 aircraft that will make infrared observations in the upper atmosphere. Discuss whether this is the best option, compared to a space-based infrared telescope of similar size. Explain the reasoning behind your decision, in terms of cost-effectiveness and light-gathering ability. (Image credit: "ED10-0080-03," NASA/Jim Ross, http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/multimedia/imagegallery/SOFIA/ED10-0080-03.html.)
Solution and grading rubric:
- p = 20/20:
Correct. In general, the atmosphere is not transparent to infrared, such that both a high-altitude airplane-borne telescope and a space-based telescope will be able to make observations. Since an airplane-borne telescope is cheaper than a space-based telescope, the airplane-borne telescope should be funded. (Or may want to fund the space-based telescope if plausible arguments for why flying an airplane continuously would be more expensive than placing a telescope in orbit, or having stability, continuous observing, or absolutely no atmospheric absorption would be paramount.) - r = 16/20:
Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. - t = 12/20:
Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Does not specifically discuss the relative transparency of Earth's atmosphere to infrared, but only in general terms such as disruption, inteference, distortion. - v = 8/20:
Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Decision based on other considerations such accessibility and cost, without mention of atmospheric effects. - x = 4/20:
Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. - y = 2/20:
Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank. - z = 0/20:
Blank.
Section 70158
p: 37 students
r: 2 students
t: 8 students
v: 3 students
x: 1 students
y: 0 students
z: 1 student
A sample "p" response (from student 4117):
[Version 2]
[20 points.] NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5 m diameter reflecting telescope mounted on a converted Boeing 747 aircraft that will make infrared observations in the upper atmosphere. Discuss whether this is the best option, compared to a ground-based infrared telescope of similar size. Explain the reasoning behind your decision, in terms of cost-effectiveness and light-gathering ability. (Image credit: "ED10-0080-03," NASA/Jim Ross, http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/multimedia/imagegallery/SOFIA/ED10-0080-03.html.)
Solution and grading rubric:
- p = 20/20:
Correct. In general, the atmosphere is not transparent to infrared, such that a ground-based infrared telescope would not be able to make observations, while a high-altitude airplane-borne telescope, or a space-based telescope will be able to make observations. Thus a ground-based infrared telescope (assuming at sea level or a relatively low elevation), while being cheaper than an airplane-borne telescope, would be ineffective and thus should not be funded. (Or may want to fund the "ground-based" telescope if placed on top of a high-enough mountain.) - r = 16/20:
Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. - t = 12/20:
Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Does not specifically discuss the relative transparency of Earth's atmosphere to infrared, but only in general terms such as disruption, inteference, distortion. - v = 8/20:
Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. - x = 4/20:
Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. - y = 2/20:
Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank. - z = 0/20:
Blank.
Section 70160
p: 34 students
r: 2 students
t: 1 student
v: 0 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students
A sample "p" response (from student 1958):
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