Overheard: Horsehead Nebula dementor

Astronomy 210, Spring Semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

The_Horshead_Nebula [sic]
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Horshead_Nebula.jpg
Originally uploaded by the European Southern Observatory

(Overheard during slide presentation on emission/reflection/dark nebulae, with slide of Barnard 33 (Horsehead Nebula) on-screen.)

Instructor: "Just like when you look at clouds overhead, astronomers love to look at nebulae in space, and ask themselves, 'Okay, what does that look like?'" (Turning around and gesturing towards slide of Barnard 33) "So, what does this nebula look like to you?"

(Beat.)

Student: "Like a dementor--from Harry Potter!"

Astronomy quiz archive: sun/spectra/star properties

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, Spring Semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz04nK4n

Section 30674

Quiz 4 results (max score = 40):
   0- 8.0 : *  [low = 2.5]
 8.5-16.0 : ******
16.5-24.0 : *************  [mean = 23.1 +/- 7.3]
24.5-32.0 : *************
32.5-40.0 : ****  [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz04s0sO

Section 30676

Quiz 4 results (max score = 40):
   0- 8.0 : *  [low = 5.0]
 8.5-16.0 : ***********
16.5-24.0 : ****************  [mean = 20.5 +/- 7.8]
24.5-32.0 : ******
32.5-40.0 : *******  [high = 40.0]

Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam (SLO)

stronomy 210, Spring Semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
(San Luis Obispo Campus)

Astronomy 210 In-class activity 14: OBAFGKM Poetry Slam

Students were instructed to use at least OBAFGKM, and/or part or all of the additional OBAFGKMRNSC or OBAFGKMLT extensions to individually write an original, coherent and an appropriate (nothing worse than "PG-13" rated!) mnemonic, and to give a rousing reading of their OBAFGKM mnemonic poem for the class.

Only Boys At Fairs Get Kicked Making Lame Taunts
--D. A.
Oh Boy, A Fat Girl Kicked My Left Testicle
--M. B.

Onion-Breather Astronomers Frighten Good, Kind Mr. Len
--D. B.

Only Badass Astronomers Freakin Go Kayaking Man
--M. C.

Oh Baby A Ford Galaxy Killed Me
--R. D.

Orange Bears Always Fight Gay Klan Members
--M. D.

Only Belle Abhors Feisty Gaston's Kind Marriage Requests
--J. H.-D

Only Ballin' Aliens Fly Gnarly Keyless Machines
--J. D.

Overcoming Basic Astronomy Final Gonna Kill Me
--J. G.

Ostrich Babies Assemble For Gambling Kangaroo Muds
--P. G.

Only Bieber Allows Frantic Girls' Kisses on Mondays
--N. H.

Oh Boy Another Friday night Gave Killer Munchies
--S. H.

Off Brand Aftermarket Footwear Gets Kinda Messed Up Some Times
--D. A. J.

Optative Birthdays Are Full (of) Gallivanting. Keep (the) Memories. Love (the) Times.
--H. J.

Oh Behave About Frolicking Gorillas Kicking Marky Mark
--C. J.

Oh Be A Friend, Give Kisses More!
--L. L.

Otters Bask Among Fresh Gardens of Kelp Masses
--H. M.

Oh Boy All Family Get-togethers Kill Me
--D. M.

Our Brother Attacked Flying Growing Killer Monkeys
--J. M.

Only Brilliant Astronomers Find Great Killer Meteors
--An. M.

Ostrich Balls Are From Gross Korean Meals (we ate) Last Time
--Au. M.

Only Bill Always Felt Guilty Kissing Monkeys
--D. M.

Outraged Bear Attacks Family of Gangsta Koala Murdering
--Z. N.

Once By A Famous Giant Kasino My Rude Nephew Shouted Curse words
--E. O.

Only Baseball And Football Get Killer Money
--E. P.

Over-eating Brothers Always Finish Good Korean Meals
--K. P.

Orbiting Ballistic Aircraft Furiously Giving Kinetic Motion!
--E. R.

Orion's Belt Always Fits Good with Kepler's Model
--J. R.

Oh Baby Almost Freakin Gonna Kry Myself to sleep
--T. R.

Obviously Bears Always Forget Good Kind Manners
--B. S.

Only Brats Are Foolish Girls Killing Men
--S. S.

On Boring Afternoons Fun Games My Life Thrilling
--E. S.

Only Baseballs A Favorites Get Killer Money
--G. S.

Obama Bought A Freakin Giant to Kill Men Like the Taliban
--M. T.

Old Birds Are Forever Going Koo-koo in My Little Tree
--S. T.
Obama Bakes Apple pie For Ghetto Kids' Moms
--A. U.

Obama Bashes Americans For Getting Korean Mangoes
--A. V.
Oranges Beats Apples From Giving Killer Mangos
--S. V.

Our Brother Admits Forgetting Good Karma Man!!!
--S. W.


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• Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam instructions.

Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam (NCC)

Astronomy 210, Spring Semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
(North County Campus)

Astronomy 210 In-class activity 14: OBAFGKM Poetry Slam

Students were instructed to use at least OBAFGKM, and/or part or all of the additional OBAFGKMRNSC or OBAFGKMLT extensions to individually write an original, coherent and an appropriate (nothing worse than "PG-13" rated!) mnemonic, and to give a rousing reading of their OBAFGKM mnemonic poem for the class.

Only Brilliant Astronomers Freaken Give Kim Millions
--Y. A.

Our Butts And Feet Got Kinks Man
--C. A.

Our Beautiful Apples Fell, Grossly Killing Martha
--As. B.

Oatmeal Breakfasts Are Fine, Grumpy Kids Make Random Noises to Stop Chewing
--Am. B.

Objects Be Apparent From Galaxies, Knew M______
--M. B.

Octopus Babies Are From Gnome Killing Mobs
--J. B.

Oswald Bounds Away from Grumpy Koala Mafia
--B. B.

Our Brave Army Fight Germs Killing Military Rebels Never Sound Cultures Love Them
--E. B.

On Back And Front Gaining Knowledge Makes Real Nice Sense Concentrate
--T. B.

Obviously Bats Are Filling Good at Keeping Monkeys
--M. C.

Old Bears, Away From Good Kind Moose, Run Near Secluded Clearings
--C. D.

Only Bowser Attacks Famous Great King Mario
--C. E.

Oh Baby A Freak Gonna Kill Me
--D. F.

Obama, Barack Always Farts (while) Giving Kisses (to) Michelle
--K. F.

Old Babies Ask For Gerber, Kraft Mac & Cheese
--X. G.

Only Bad Ass Felines Growl (at) Kitchen Machines
--E. H.

Observe Bombing Air-raids For Giant Killing Machines
--K. H.

Old Baboons Are Fairly Good Kool-Aid Makers Respectfully, Not Smelly Chimpanzees
--L. H.

Only Brilliant And Focused Guys Kiss Moms
--B. H.

Obama Bet Adam Five Grenade Kaboom Muffins
--T. H.

Only Bad Ass Friends Give Kailey Money
--K. L.

Old Bachelors And Friends Go Kipping Mondays
--A. L.

Once Befriended A F*****, Guy Knew my Mother
--T. L.

Obnoxious Betelgeuse Acquires Foreign Gangster's Kite Money
--J. L.

Only Batman And Flash Go Kick Manray
--D. N.

Only Babies Are Fed Grape Kittle Munchies
--R. O.

Oh Blue Astronomically Far Giant Kepler Moon
--D. P.

Oh Baby Aren't Flowers Gorgeous, Kevin Marry me!
--E. S.

Omar Bradley's Aunt, and Father Got Kind of Mad
--D. S.

Oh Be A Fine Guy Kiss Me!
--S. S.

Orbital Ballistic Autonomously Flight Guided Kinetic Missile
--B. T.

Only Butterflies Attack Flying Gorillas Killing Many
--H. T.
Oh, Bieber's A Faker, Gonna Kill Music
--M. T.

Orangutan Babies Are Funny Game Knowing Monkeys
--E. V.

Oprah Better Apologize For Googling the Kardashians' Men
--A. V.

Outta Beer And Feeling Great, Kiss Me!
--K. W.

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• Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam instructions.

Cuesta College North County campus star party

110310-1220606
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/5527513646/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Waxing crescent moon, March 10, 2011, photographed with a Panasonic Lumix LZ-8 camera through a Orion 10" reflector at Cuesta College North County campus, Paso Robles, CA. Photo by Cuesta College Physical Sciences Division instructor Dr. Patrick M. Len.

110310-1220611
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/5527514072/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Cuesta College Astronomy 210L students and guest (and a cold dog) at a North County campus star party.

Sights seen:
M42 (Orion nebula)
Castor, Pollux
Sirius
Waxing crescent moon

Physics quiz archive: interference, electrostatics

Physics 205B Quiz 3, spring semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30882, version 1


Section 30882 results
Exam code: quiz03F3ld

 0- 6 : 
 7-12 : 
13-18 : ****  [low = 18]
19-24 : ***  [mean = 19.7 +/- 2.4]  [high = 24]
25-30 :  

Student scribble: "Observing P-Dog"

110304-1220474
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/5503505281/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Student observation logbook, Astronomy 210L, Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA. Photo taken by Cuesta College Physical Sciences Instructor Dr. Patrick M. Len.

Astronomy quiz archive: telescopes

Astronomy 210 Quiz 3, Spring Semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz03n7uu

Section 30674

Quiz 3 results (max score = 40):
   0- 8.0 : **  [low = 4.0]
 8.5-16.0 : ***********
16.5-24.0 : **********  [mean = 22.6 +/- 8.8]
24.5-32.0 : **********
32.5-40.0 : *********  [high = 36.5]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz03s3ts

Section 30676

Quiz 3 results (max score = 40):
   0- 8.0 : *  [low = 6.0]
 8.5-16.0 : ********
16.5-24.0 : *****************  [mean = 23.1 +/- 8.2]
24.5-32.0 : ************
32.5-40.0 : ********  [high = 36.5]

Overheard: floaters and filler-ins

Astronomy 210, Spring Semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

(Overheard as students are moving to their assigned groups to work on an in-class activity ("lecture-tutorial").)

Student: "What does it mean if the seating chart says I'm a floater/filler-in?"

Instructor: "Just hang back until all the groups are seated. Then look for the smallest, most pathetic-looking group, and then join them for today."

(Beat.)

Instructor: "But don't tell them I told you this."

Overheard: (lack of) assigned seating

Astronomy 210, Spring Semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

(Overheard at the start of a class without the usual in-class activity ("lecture-tutorial") and requisite assigned seating chart.

Student: "Why is there no seating chart for today?"

Instructor: "Because today you get to find out who your real friends are."

(Beat.)

Instructor: "Or at least find out who loves to sit in your row just as much as you do."

Overheard: texting in class

Astronomy 210, Spring Semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

(Overheard near the end of an in-class activity ("lecture-tutorial") on the Stefan-Boltzmann law and the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.)

Student: "Dr. Len? Could you give us some help over here?"

Instructor: (Sighs while texting on phone.) "NOT NOW--CAN'T YOU SEE I'M TEXTING?"