Physics 123 Term Project

Project Description

(1) Choose a research topic on an application of optics or thermodynamics to astronomy or a natural process. You  may choose from the list below, or choose your own topic. You should confirm a topic with me by Oct. 17.
(2) Design and build a web page which describes the topic. The page should clearly relate connections between concepts discussed in class and the application. Length will vary, but you should aim for at least 8 pages of content.
(3) Prepare a summary presentation of your topic to present to the class 10th week. The presentation will be in class and should be 10 minutes total in length. There will be an additional three minutes for questions from the audience. The time will be strictly limited.

Possible Research Topics

Possible topics include, but are NOT LIMITED to the following (use your imagination and choose something of interest to you!) I will list names next to claimed topics.

Adaptive or Active Optics in Astronomy
Modern Techniques in Large Telescope Construction
Very Long Baseline Interferometry
Gravitational Lensing
Radio Astronomy (broad field with many possible research topics)
Interstellar Dust and its Effects on Light: 
Energy Transport in Stars:  
Black Holes   Stephen
Planetary atmospheres, e.g. energy transport
Planetary cooling and geology
Hot Jupiters  
Extrasolar Planet Searches via Interferometry and/or Microlensing
Global warming: Topic TBD
Comet Interaction with inner solar system
Interstellar gas phases and the HI line
Meteors: interaction with Earth's atmosphere
Thermal noise in semiconductor detectors (including CCD's)
Thermal processes in nature
Stellar Remnants: Matter states; cooling of remnants
Weather systems, e.g. formation of hurricanes
Weather systems, circulation patterns
Is weather predictable using thermodynamics?
Space Travel: Propulsion via Solar Sails
Engines and Efficiency
 

Possible References

Ask me - I can help you find and photocopy material from books I have available
Internet
Library
Interviews with other faculty in the department
 

Web Page Construction

You may construct your web page using any software package to which you have access and are comfortable using. Here are possible routes:

(1) HTML editing in a text editor   Getting Started with HTML and HTML Primer (see also links below)
(2) Microsoft Office Tools (You're on your own here.)
(3) Other web design software, e.g., Dreamweaver
(4) Construct a Word Document and save in HTML format (not recommended).

Instructions for placing your page on the internet: click on link to your operating system.

Other Links Relating to Web Page Design

  HTML Help by The Web Design Group
 Webpage Design Flaws
 Writing for the Web

Last updated: October 15, 2012