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

Astronomy 210, Fall Semester 2009
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.

Oh Boy!! Asteroid Fragments are Gonna Kill Me...
--C. A.

One Big Ape Fights Giant Killer Moths
--B. A.

On Board A Fire Grew Keeping Me Trapped
--A. B.

Offshore Boaters Are Finding Giant Kelp Mounds
--R. B.

Only Baseless Accusations From Gluttonous Kings Make Royal Necks Sliced Clean
--D. B.

On Birthdays A Funny Grandma Karate-Chops a Mongoose
--L. B.

Oh Boy A Flying Giraffe King Married Len Tonight
--K. C.

Ooooooo Balls A Fiery Gnome Kicked Me Running Naked South of Chile
--T. D.

Oh Boy, Another Film Goes. Keeping Mediocre Ratings. Never Settle. Comedies!
--K. G.

Oh Brother A Flying Gorilla Killed Me
--R. H.

Over Board A Female Goat Kicked Me
--R. J.

On Board A Fairly Giant Killer Missile
--R. K.

Oh Be Afraid, Fat Grandmas Kill Monkeys
--C. L.

October Brings A Frightening Group! Kids Masked Like Turtle Ninjas
--J. L.
Oh Boy, Another Frustrated Girl Kicks Man
--D. M.

Oh Boy An F Grade Kills Me
--S. M.

Oh Bummer A Freaking Gorilla Killed My Lion, Theodore
--T. O.

Oh Banks Are Finally Giving Kind Money
--A. O.

Oh But Another Fine Guitarist Kiboshes My Loathsome Tabulating
--S. R.

Obviously, Bacon And Fat Grease Kills Men
--A. R.

Our Brother And Father Got Kinda Mad
--J. R.

Outrageous Builders Are Farming Giant Killer Monsters
--J. R.

Only Baby Animals Freak-out Good Kids' Mothers
--C. S.

Only Boys Attend Fighting Gangster Karate Movies
--A. S.

Only Bourne, A Fighter, Gets Killing Men
--K. S.

Oh Boy A Fat Girl Kissed Me
--A. T.

Oh Bob Accidentally Farts Gases Keeps Me Making Rare Noises
--Anonymous

Out Back A Fat Goat Kills Men
--Anonymous

Previous post: Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam instructions.

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

Astronomy 210, Fall Semester 2009
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.

Oh, Booze And Food Gets Kids Merry
--S. A.

Oh Boy, A Flying Gorilla Killed Ma!
--S. A.

Oh Buddy, Astronomy Frequently Gives Killer Migraines
--M. A.

Ouch! Bees Are Finally Gonna Kill Me.
--K. B.

Obama Bankrupts America; Fact. Gets KGB Membership.
--L. B.
Overweight Bats Are Fighting Gorillas in the Kona Mountains
--H. C.

Oo Bama Asked for Gorilla King Meat
--R. C.

Ogres Bite Americans For Giants Kill Monks
--H. C.

Obese Black women Are Frickin' Great Kitchen Moms
--B. D.

Obese Blue Aliens Fight Gassy Killer Medications
--J. E.

Oh Boy, Anyone Feeling Grumpy? Kinda? Maybe?
--M. F.

Only Betray A Friend if you're Going Krazy Man!! it's Really Not So Cool.
--L. G.

Only Bad Ass Fighters Get Killer Marks Like Tigers
--L. G.
Otter Babies Are Fluffy Giant Killer Machines
--A. G.
Oh Brother! A Fake Green Killer Mantaray!
--M. H.

Outnumbered British Admirals Fight Gallantly Killing Many Rebellious New Seamen
--M. H.

Open Before Another Fairy Gnome Kicks Me
--E. J.

Only Bewildered Astronauts Fear Ghenghis Khan's Machete
--B. J.
Octoberfest Beers Are Freakin Good @ Keeping Me Lightly Trashed
--J. J.

Octopus-Bears Are Freakin' Great Killing Machines
--K. J.
Our Bees Are Ferocious Ghosts! Killing Me...Like Tycho!
--C. K.

Only Bad-A**es For Governor, 'Kay Man?
--N. K.

On Blankets Are Flying Geese Kicking Mud
--B. L.

Oh Boy A Fat Guy Kicked Me
--J. M.

Obnoxious Bretheren Amplified Following Gallons of Killer Margaritas
--A. M.
One Big Astronomy Final. God Kill Me.
--P. M.

Obviously Bars Are For Gathering Kinky Moms
--T. M.

Octopuses Back Away From Gigantic Kayaks Mysteriously
--B. P.Offering Beer At Family Gatherings Killed Mom
--L. P.
"Only Bears Are Fully Godless Killing Machines," Reports Newsman Stephen Colbert, Later Tonight.
--I. P.
Only Big Asteroids Force Giant Killer Monsoon
--J. R.

On Birthdays, A Fat Gut Kicks Me
--J. R.

Oh Be A Freakin' Guy, Kill Mice Lighting TNT!
--J. R.

Only Big Ass Funky Gorillas Kick Monkeys
--T. S.

Orangutans Bully All Furry Gorillas Kissing Monkeys
--R. S.

Oaring Back and Forth, Gallic King McFinnigan Returned North
--M. S.

Orange Belugas Assume Fred Gives Killer Makeovers
--D. S.

Outrageous Bitches Always Feel Good Killing Men
--T. S.

One Ballistic Angry Farmer Grew Killer Melons!!!
--M. S.
Oh Baby A Few Gushers Kindly More
--N. T.

Only Bob And Fred Go Kayaking Mondays
--N. T.

Only Bitchin' Acronyms Form Gnarly Knowledgeable Minds
My Krazy Glue Fixes All Broken Objects
--A. W.

Orange Bees Ally Free Giants Killing Mankind
--P. W.

Oak Branches Are Fairly Good at Killing Me
--M. Z.

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Astronomy current events question: x-rays from Milky Way center

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)

Astronomy.com editors, "New Vista of Milky Way Center Unveiled," September 23, 2009
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8651

What properties of x-rays make it possible for the NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory to study the center of the Milky Way? Circle your answer below.
(A) Not blocked by interstellar gas and dust.
(B) Can escape from the central supermassive black hole.
(C) Energetic enough to disrupt ground-based instruments.
(D) Not detectable anywhere on Earth.
(E) Readily passes through the Earth's atmosphere.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 14 students
(B) : 7 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 6 students

Astronomy current events question: protoplanetary disk

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)

Astronomy.com editors, "NASA's Spitzer Spots Clump of Swirling Planetary Material," September 24, 2009
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8660

What have several scientists proposed as the cause of varying infrared light from a dusty disk around the star LRLL 31, detected by the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope? Circle your answer below.
(A) Outer layers of the star, as it becomes a planetary nebula.
(B) Protoplanets colliding.
(C) Neutron star pulsar beams
(D) A companion star or planet swirling material together.
(E) A black hole passing in front of the star.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 2 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 24 students
(E) : 1 student

Astronomy current events question: evidence of lunar water

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)

Astronomy.com editors, "Deep Impact and Other Spacecraft Find Clear Evidence of Water on Moon," September 24, 2009
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8661

According to a University of Maryland researcher, what may be the source of surface water on the Moon detected by both the NASA Deep Impact mission and the India Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft? Circle your answer below.
(A) Solar wind reacting with Moon rocks.
(B) The large impact that originally formed the Moon.
(C) Contamination from the Apollo 11 mission.
(D) Russian rocket boosters.
(E) Water-bearing asteroids.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 24 students
(B) : 6 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 13 students

Cuesta College North County campus star party

20091001319
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/3973094181/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Waxing gibbous moon, November 6, 2008, photographed with a Nokia e71 smartphone 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.

091001-1110816
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/3973096639/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Cuesta College Astronomy 210L students from San Luis Obispo campus during a North County campus star party. These students made the inevitable In-n-Out Burger stop on the way back down the Cuesta grade. Photo by Cuesta College Physical Sciences Division instructor Dr. Patrick M. Len.

091001-1110817
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/3973098731/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Cuesta College Astronomy 210L students from San Luis Obispo campus pointing to the waxing gibbous moon during a North County campus star party. Photo by Cuesta College Physical Sciences Division instructor Dr. Patrick M. Len.

Sights seen:
Jupiter
Waxing gibbous moon

Astronomy current events question: Jupiter aurorae

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)

Astronomy.com editors, "Ganymede's Magnetosphere Makes a Big Impression on Jupiter's Auroral Lights," September 17, 2009
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8634

What did scientists from the University of Liege in Belgium detect on Jupiter using ultraviolet images from the Hubble Space Telescope? Circle your answer below.
(A) An impact from a colliding comet.
(B) New spiral weather patterns in its belt zones.
(C) The effect of the magnetic fields of its moons on its auroral bright spots.
(D) A newly discovered bright red spot.
(E) Traces of organic compounds associated with life on Earth.

Correct answer: (C).

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 3 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 46 students
(D) : 6 students
(E) : 5 students

Astronomy current events question: D1 Herculis and general relativity

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)

Robert Naeye, "Stellar Mystery Solved, Einstein Safe," September 16, 2009
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/59467082.html

According to researchers at Villanova University, why are the star orbits of the binary system D1 Herculis not obeying Einstein's general theory of relativity? Circle your answer below.
(A) Gravity from a previously undetected third star.
(B) The rotation axes of the stars are tilted over on their sides.
(C) Dense Earth-like planets orbiting very close in.
(D) The stars pass directly in front of each other, as seen from Earth.
(E) Matter is slowly being transferred from one star to the other.

Correct answer: (B).

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 12 students
(B) : 35 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 6 students
(E) : 6 students

Astronomy current events question: lava planet CoRoT-7/TYC 4799-1733-1

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)

Kelly Beatty, "CoRoT-7b, The Lava Planet," September 16, 2009
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/home/59480512.html

How did the French CoRoT satellite discover the first rocky exoplanet CoRoT-7/TYC 4799-1733-1? Circle your answer below.
(A) Traces of organic compounds associated with life on Earth.
(B) Presence of high plumes of volcanic ash.
(C) Measurements of its mass and size, as it orbits around and passes in front of its star.
(D) Its rotation axis is tilted over on its side.
(E) Infrared light emitted from fresh lava flows on its surface.

Correct answer: (C).

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 25 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 3 students

Astronomy current events question: Haumea's red spot

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)

Bill Andrews, "Haumea’s Newly Discovered Spot," September 16, 2009
http://cs.astronomy.com/asycs/blogs/astronomy/2009/09/16/haumea-s-newly-discovered-spot.aspx

How did an astronomer at the Queens University of Belfast discover a red spot on the dwarf planet Haumea in the Kuiper Belt? Circle your answer below.
(A) Observations of giant storm patterns in its atmosphere.
(B) Data from Voyagers 1 and 2 as they passed through the Kuiper Belt.
(C) Investigating changes in brightness as it rotated.
(D) Recording a giant impact between Kuiper Belt objects.
(E) Changing colors as it passed in front of a distant star.

Correct answer: (C).

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 14 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 3 students