BC 1800d 3.0: Are we alone: the Hunt for Extra-solar Planets.
Fall Term Assignment 2004
Introduction
This assignment is designed to increase your familiarity with popular science
journals, gather some research information about a current astronomy/space
science topic in the area of (or related to) extra-solar planetary research and
then summarise the material in the form of an essay. The essay is should be written for the ‘average’ person picking
up a daily newspaper.
Research
The topic of your research will be
based upon the last digit of your student number.
0 Face
on Mars Controversy
1. Pluto:
planet or minor planet?
2. The
Terraformation of Mars
3. Europa:
the possibility of life?
4. Space
Exploration: humans or robots or both?
5. The
value of the Internbational Space Station.
6. Astronomy
and Astrology: science and pseudo-science
7. Mars
or the Moon: where next for humans?
8. SETI:
past and present.
9. Space
Tourism: reality or fantasy?
The essay needs to be 1250 words
(+/- 250 words). Clarity of
presentation is important. Do not
simply give information in point form.
The essay is not meant to be highly technical or mathematical but
suitable for publication in a newspaper.
Bibliographies, references cited, diagrams, etc, constitute an integral
part of the essay and form part of the Presentation mark.
Format, deadline and penalties
The assignment is due by 1200 hours
on Friday December 3, 2004, in Bethune
College room 205. There will be NO
late submissions accepted without significant penalty. (eg 25\% loss of marks
per calendar day after the due date.)
Start the assignment now. The
assignment is worth 12.5\% of your grade.
Ensure that your name, student number appear clearly on the front page
of your assignment. Please note that this assignment MUST BE TYPED, at 12 point font and use Arial when submitted for
marking. It also must be securely
compiled ... for example, with staples.
Loose or unidentified pieces of
the assignment will not be marked. The length of the essay must be observed or
penalty will result.
The approximate breakdown of the
marks for the assignment is as follows:
Content 14
Grammar/clarity 6
Total 20
Any questions can be directed to
Paul Delaney (pdelaney@yorku.ca). Good
luck!