The Constellations

Hello class. While I was thinkg about astronomy and what to write for the first blog, constellations popped into my mind. So I began thinking about constellations. More times than not, the only constellations that I can identify are the big and little dippers, although these are considered asterisms. Asterisms are less formally defined groupings that may be a part of larger constellations. Granted, I never took an astronomy course, but I have always been associated with people who point out constellations on behalf of me for future reference. So I felt this would be a good conversation starter for the blog. Have you [at any time] had trouble identifying constellations other than the big and little dippers, and do you believe that this class will help you out in this area as well as other astronomy areas? Also, which constellations, if any, have fascinated you?

New Place to Live?

Hello guys! First of all I hope everyone is doing great in all of their classes so far. I will be talking about something really interesting, which I think is best for our first post. I don't know if many of you have heard this in the news or not, but NASA probes just got evidence of water, in liquid state, on Mars. The water is only shown in spring and summer and it disappears in cold season. The water is told to be salty and briny, according to the scientists. Water is the first ingredient for life on other planets. It is really exciting to see some of these pictures from NASA which I am sharing with you guys. Tell me your feelings about living on Mars.

Also an announcement from SPS: The Society of Physics Students is having its first meeting this Thursday from 12:30 - 1:30 in MP 125. We will have free pizza and drinks for anyone who attends. On the agenda will be a discussion of this years possible upcoming events. In addition to this we will ask the members and anyone else in attendance what they would like to see from the Jacksonville University Society of Physics Students.

Marine Science Seminar Series starts on Thursday-Reid 105 at 12:30 - 1:25 pm for more information contact me!

About Me

Hi there. My name is Evan Schnitker and I am a junior at Jacksonville University. My major is engineering physics and therefore I will transfer at the end of this year to Georgia Institute of Technology. I will receive a mechanical engineering degree from GT and a physics degree from JU. My hometown is Madison, FL located near Tallahassee, FL ( Go Noles ).

I would like to know more about you, so for your first post please tell Jay and I about yourselves. Also if you all have any other questions about me feel free to ask. My email is eschnit@jacksonville.edu, and as I mentioned in the lab, I will be in the library from 6-9 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Introduction

Hello everyone. My name is Jainish Brahmbhatt, you can call me Jay, and I am Physics Engineering major and Math minor at JU. I am currently junior and enrolled in a dual degree engineering program at Jacksonville University. This is my last year here at JU and then I am planning to attend University of Florida to get my B.S. in Aerospace Engineering.

I am Indian but I lived in United States for seven years. I am currently from Ocala, FL. I enjoy engineering because I like designing and building different things. Jacksonville University has been a great experience for me, which I will never forget. The students and instructors here are very friendly and helpful. Physics really interests me because the everyday things we see around us has something to do with Physics and we do not realize it until we study it. I will leave you with one question before we meet on Monday, what is the best part about physics that you like?

Feel free to contact me for any questions. My e-mail is jbrahmb@jacksonville.edu. I am looking forward to post more blogs and listen to your responses.

A first post! More to come...

This blog will feature articles to supplement the discussions in PHYS 104 Astronomy: Out of this World in Fall 2011.

--Brian Lane