Astronomy C

[crazy77]

Not for high redshifts like that one because then you would get something greater than the speed of light. I forget the exact equation though.... I'll find it.....

[ChrisYim]

is everyone just gathering information and waiting until the day of the competition? or is there any sort of way to practice (besides using soinc.org links)?

[smartkid222]

Many practice tests exist. Take the tests with your partner under timed conditions and see how you do.

Did you find the equation?

[JustDroobles]

Do you think the allowance of a laptop is fair? This weekend I went to an invitational where they had apparently banned the use of laptops, but because the supervisor was not aware of this, he allowed some teams to use laptops anyway. They had to throw out the event, which is understandable under these conditions. A related issue occured at the Michigan state competition last year. Originally they were not going to allow laptops. Later they decided to allow them, but everyone was aware of this change.

However, I think it unfair to ban the use of a laptop. Whether you use a binder or a laptop, you still have to put time into organizing your information, and the most important thing is your prior knowledge of the information, not the medium of your notes. I don't see why all tournaments don't just follow the set rules... not allowing teams to follow the rules does not allow them to practice for regional, state, and national touraments.

I always use binders and I have placed everytime I have competed in Astronomy, so I have no problem with other teams using laptops.

[Gillen]

Its in the rules that laptops are allowed, so it is not fair that any tournament should ban them. I have always used a laptop, and always place very well. I have spent an enormous amount of time getting everything organized the way I want it. Its a choice that everyone that does the event has to make, and that choice shouldn't be taken away.

[dreaminghigh]

I have a quick question to ask those that were in Astronomy last year or previous years. Is there any pattern in which they create the tests? Like, or example, do they just have a bunch of questions about the DSO's? And are there separate questions for the specific topics we have to study this year? Because at the invitational that I went to, they had a powerpoint running showing the DSO's and asked a couple questions on them, and the rest of the test was mutliple choice on just different topics pertaing to astronomy.

[JustDroobles]

I have a quick question to ask those that were in Astronomy last year or previous years. Is there any pattern in which they create the tests? Like, or example, do they just have a bunch of questions about the DSO's? And are there separate questions for the specific topics we have to study this year? Because at the invitational that I went to, they had a powerpoint running showing the DSO's and asked a couple questions on them, and the rest of the test was mutliple choice on just different topics pertaing to astronomy.

I've taken 7 Astronomy tests and I've seen a lot of different formats. Some are 60 multiple choice questions with just the general information on stars, galaxies, and the other basic areas in the rules. I've also had tests that were entirely calculations. Some are a mix of calculations and multiple choice. I've even had a test that we had to take online in a computer lab at the tournament. Sometimes the tests have a lot of questions about DSO's,and sometimes they have none. Depending on your supervisor, the test can vary a lot. Your best bet is always to know as much as you can about everything in the rules.

[dreaminghigh]

I've taken 7 Astronomy tests and I've seen a lot of different formats. Some are 60 multiple choice questions with just the general information on stars, galaxies, and the other basic areas in the rules. I've also had tests that were entirely calculations. Some are a mix of calculations and multiple choice. I've even had a test that we had to take online in a computer lab at the tournament. Sometimes the tests have a lot of questions about DSO's,and sometimes they have none. Depending on your supervisor, the test can vary a lot. Your best bet is always to know as much as you can about everything in the rules.

Thank you so much for answering me. This is my first time taking an Astronomy test - or rather second if counting the invitational - and I've always wondered.

I have another question, do any of you guys know about any possible mathematical problems that could be put onto the test? Or, any mathematical problems that relate to galaxies?

[AlphaTauri]

I've taken 7 Astronomy tests and I've seen a lot of different formats. Some are 60 multiple choice questions with just the general information on stars, galaxies, and the other basic areas in the rules. I've also had tests that were entirely calculations. Some are a mix of calculations and multiple choice. I've even had a test that we had to take online in a computer lab at the tournament. Sometimes the tests have a lot of questions about DSO's,and sometimes they have none. Depending on your supervisor, the test can vary a lot. Your best bet is always to know as much as you can about everything in the rules.

Thank you so much for answering me. This is my first time taking an Astronomy test - or rather second if counting the invitational - and I've always wondered.

I have another question, do any of you guys know about any possible mathematical problems that could be put onto the test? Or, any mathematical problems that relate to galaxies?

Well, the obvious one I can think of is for them to give you a fake galaxy, tell you the redshift, and ask you to find the distance. They might also ask you to find the mass of a binary star system or something like that.

[dreaminghigh]

Well, the obvious one I can think of is for them to give you a fake galaxy, tell you the redshift, and ask you to find the distance. They might also ask you to find the mass of a binary star system or something like that.

How would you find the distance using just a redshift? And thank you(: