Steinn Sigurðsson Astro 475 - Homework 8 due Dec 9th 2011

Homework 8: due December 9th 2011

1. Think about what we know in astronomy and what changes in our knowledge there have been in the last 100--1,000 years.

   What major surprise do you think we might come across in the future, thinking on 100+ year time scales?

   Write a description of a conceivable future astronomical discovery that would be unexpected given our current knowledge of the universe.
   Include in your description: what, how, when, who and why.

   The level of the description should be aimed at an educated audience, such as an undergraduate astronomy major.

   1. For the same surprise discovery, write a 1-2 paragraph description.
      The description should be aimed at a generally educated audience, such as a senior level undergraduate in a non-physical sciences major.
      Cover the same "what, how, when, who, why" points.
   2. Write a short description of the same surprise discovery.
      The style should be aimed at a general audience, with high school education only.
      Limit your writing to 140 characters, such as for a "twitter" message. You may use standard text abbreviation.

2. Thinking about space missions in astronomy: what missions do you think ought to be done in the future, say during the next century?

   List three missions with short paragraph summaries for each, that have NOT been done and are NOT planned for the near future, that you think ought to be done as a matter of imperative in the next 10--100 years.

   Choose one of these missions, and write a 1-2 page summary of the mission, in a style aimed at a generally educated audience (ie university educated, but not necessarily with background in the physical sciences).
   Explain what the mission will be, the key technologies and science targets, any significant discoveries, and the context of the mission in the general astronomy and space science program of the last few decades.

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