Astronomy in the News

It is not at all easy to write about science.  Some of the best science writers, including nationally recognized Timothy Ferris or Natalie Angier, and local SF Chronicle reporters Keay Davidson and David Perlman, can make it look easy.  But being a "brilliant" scientist does not necessarily mean being a clear communicator, but similarly being a good journalist does not necessarily mean being able to explain science, either.  As you saw in the Asteroid XF-11 incident, scientists can depend upon the media to help get important messages out to the public. But as you also noticed, how those messages are reported can depend upon the questions journalists know to ask.  For more about science journalism, you might want to read the short essay by Boyce Resenberger, Essays on Science & Society: The Nature of Evidence, in Science, 7 July 2000. (Vol. 289. no.5476, p. 61.Available online at http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/289/5476/61, accessed 6/5/10.)

Research, copy, and analyze at least one current science article from a recent issue of any news magazine, or from a local newspaper, about any aspect of astronomy that interests you. The article should be substantial, not just a short 3-4 column inch "filler" or simple paragraph in a list of news developments.  (If you have any questions about whether an article is too short, email me!)

Preferably, the article should be about astronomy, although you certainly could explore other sciences! If you are interested in biology, consider the recent announcements about mapping the human genome; if you are interested in ecology, consider something about the ozone hole or global warming. Analyze the article and write a short typed, spell-checked essay of around 250 words or more (at least 2-3 paragraphs)  mapping what was presented in the article to what you know of the scientific method:

• observation of data, and developing questions about trends, differences, and unique occurrences seen within that data,
• research into previous work on similar questions,
• building models and creating testable hypotheses,
• designing, and gathering new data through, experiments,
• testing and refining the models based on the analysis of new data collected,
• modifying or discarding incorrect hypotheses,
• developing interconnected hypotheses into theories,
• sharing data and results with peers for independent evaluation and testing, and
• publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals so that the community of science can advance.

For example, you might find an article in the news about Pluto, or SETI (the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) . Describe what observations have taken place, the previous research , hypotheses that are presented, the critical tests that are underway to evaluate those hypotheses, the overall theory that continuing research is trying to investigate, and how the research is being communicated, shared and evaluated by various scientists.  Examples of articles and identification of some parts of the process of science are available for your review.

Regardless of the topic, I want you to demonstrate your understanding of the scientific method in this assignment. Comment on whether the article seems complete in its portrayal of the process, or whether the scientists and science described seem to be skipping part(s) of that process. Good sources of articles include Scientific American Magazine, Science News, weekly articles from the Wall Street Journal, San Jose Mercury News, and The New York Times, and occasionally articles from the SF Chronicle. There is a huge source of articles available on the web, too.

Include with your analysis *a full bibliographic citation*.  You typically  include the URL, the universal resource locator, that identifies the sources in your work cited lists, but also at a minimum, you must include the author of the page, the date  if known, the title of the page, the institution or organization hosting the site (the publisher), and the date you accessed the site, as well as the URL.  Citation styles for all work often follow the American Psychological Association (APA) style;  For more information about scholarly citation expectations, check out the Chabot College Library handouts for work cited pages online.  Here are two examples you can follow:

Palmer, J. (2011). Darkest exoplanet spotted by astronomers. BBC news. Retrieved August 14, 2001 from  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14476411

Big Bang. (2012, January 11). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:40, January 15, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Big_Bang&oldid=470788009

Note that Wikipedia offers an automatic citation generator from the "Toolbox" link available in the left-hand navigation bar!  You can easily choose the citation for any wikipedia reference that matches the style required.  And while Wikipedia is certainly convenient, try not to let it be the ONLY site you use for outside help.  Good scholarship is demonstrated by finding multiple articles about a subject, from knowledgeable and reputable sources.  Wiki is a great place to start, but get into the habit of looking deeper.  You'll learn even more!

Aim for at least 250 words or more for your analysis.  An article submitted without proper citation receives 0 credit.  Late work receives reduced credit.  If you cannot make class on the due date, post your article in the class Blackboard site by the due date.

Extra Credit Ideas - WebSearches:

• If neutrinos are so elusive, how do astronomers detect them? Use Google, Yahoo, or other search engines to browse for information on the solar neutrino detectors that are currently in operation, under construction, or proposed. Determine similarities and differences between these detectors in terms of methods of detection and energy range of the detectable neutrinos.
  
  
• Astronomers have been searching for brown dwarfs for years, but few candidates have been discovered until just a few years ago. Search for current results on the detection of "almost-stars". Why are they so difficult to detect?
   
• There is an incredible diversity in the appearance of planetary nebulae. Browse the web for images and information (especially the Hubble Space Telescope gallery at http://www.stsci.edu) and discuss why you believe there is such a range in the shapes and characteristics of these interesting and colorful objects!
   
• Naked-eye supernova are rare in our galactic neighborhood. Why? We can more easily note their occurrence in other galaxies. Look for summaries of observations of recent supernovae, either of Type I or Type II. Compare the numbers of supernovae seen with twenty years ago. Why are we finding more? Are more stars exploding these days?
   
• After reading about our Sun, and its activity, read more about the aurora borealis; and find out when the aurora are usually most visible, where you should go to see the phenomena, and why they show different colors.
   
• Review a magazine article or book about UFOs, and comment on the quality of science and the scientific process followed by those claiming to observe UFOs. Start with a websearch of UFO sites, and evaluate the scientific integrity of the information presented in your opinion.