Moses - Astronomy and Astrobiology in the Atacama Desert

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Module / Version:
#20645 / #1

Validity:
Seit SS 2019

Default display language:
English

Module title:
Astronomy and Astrobiology in the Atacama Desert

Credits:
10

Responsible person:
Breitschwerdt, Dieter

Grading:
benotet

Type of exam:
Portfolioprüfung

Zugehörigkeit

Faculty:
Fakultät II

Institute:
Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik

Area of expertise:
No information

Prüfungsausschuss:
Physik

Kontakt

Office:
EW 8-1

Contact person:
Feige, Jenny

E-mail address:
dieter.breitschwerdt@tu-berlin.de

Website:
No information

Learning Outcomes

After the completion of this module the students will have achieved the following skills: - Handling a telescope for astronomical observations and navigation through the southern sky. - Fundamentals on observations using large telescopes including VLT and ALMA. - Interpreting the geomorphology of hyperarid deserts and comparing them to Mars structures. - Assessing the habitability of extreme Mars-analog environments in association with the microbial ecology. - Ability to plan, organize, and prepare the scientific content of a field trip covering an interdisciplinary range of topics.

Content

The interdisciplinary range of topics covered in the pre- and post-seminars as well as during field work in the Atacama Desert will include: - Astronomy: visiting large telescopes for observation in different wavelengths (VLT and ALMA), performing observations of the southern sky (e.g. Magellanic Clouds, alpha-Centauri, solar eclipse), recognizing sedimentary deposits as records for cosmic events (e.g. supernovae, asteroid collisions). - Astrobiology: desert soil habitability, extremophile microbiology (e.g. hypoliths, desert varnish), hyperarid desert sedimentology and geomorphology, Mars surface processes and the associated structures.

Module Components

Pflichtgruppe:

All Courses are mandatory.

Course Name	Type	Cycle	Language	SWS
Astronomy and Astrobiology in the Atacama Desert - Pre-Seminar	SEM	k.A.	English	2
Astronomy and Astrobiology in the Atacama Desert - Field-Trip	EX	k.A.	English	8
Astronomy and Astrobiology in the Atacama Desert - Post-Seminar	SEM	k.A.	English	2

Workload and Credit Points

Astronomy and Astrobiology in the Atacama Desert - Pre-Seminar (SEM):

Workload description	Multiplier	Hours	Total
Attendance	15.0	2.0h	30.0h
Pre/post processing	15.0	4.0h	60.0h
			90.0h(~3 LP)

Astronomy and Astrobiology in the Atacama Desert - Field-Trip (EX):

Workload description	Multiplier	Hours	Total
Attendance	15.0	8.0h	120.0h
			120.0h(~4 LP)

Astronomy and Astrobiology in the Atacama Desert - Post-Seminar (SEM):

Workload description	Multiplier	Hours	Total
Attendance	15.0	2.0h	30.0h
Pre/post processing	15.0	4.0h	60.0h
			90.0h(~3 LP)

The Workload of the module sums up to 300.0 Hours. Therefore the module contains 10 Credits.

Description of Teaching and Learning Methods

Pre-Seminar: Each student will select a topic relevant for the field trip and prepare a presentation given in the seminar. Also required is the preparation of a corresponding interim report as a section for the field guide. Field-Trip: The students will perform hands-on celestial observation including astronomical measurements, analyses and interpretation of the collected data. Furthermore, they will interprete the underlying sedimentological and tectonic processes creating specific landscapes in the field and deduce the associated ecology. Each student will present the topic selected during the seminar on-site and lead the discussion in this section. Post-Seminar: The students will present their collected field data (e.g. astronomical observation, geological and biological samples) and insights by oral presentations and written reports used as sections in the field guide, which will be compiled and finalized collaboratively by the entire group.

Requirements for participation and examination

Desirable prerequisites for participation in the courses:

This module aims to primarily address master students in the fields of Astronomy, Bio- or Geosciences.

Mandatory requirements for the module test application:

This module has no requirements.

Module completion

Grading

graded

Type of exam

Portfolio examination

Type of portfolio examination

100 Punkte insgesamt

Language

English

Test elements

Name	Points	Categorie	Duration/Extent
Pre-Seminar: Oral presentation	30	oral	45 min
Field Trip: Documented practical performance	30	practical	120 hrs
Post-Seminar: Written assignment	40	written	5 to 15 pages

Grading scale

Notenschlüssel »Notenschlüssel 2: Fak IV (2)«

Gesamtpunktzahl	1.0	1.3	1.7	2.0	2.3	2.7	3.0	3.3	3.7	4.0
100.0pt	95.0pt	90.0pt	85.0pt	80.0pt	75.0pt	70.0pt	65.0pt	60.0pt	55.0pt	50.0pt

Test description (Module completion)

Oral presentation (pre-seminar), active participation and on-site presentation (field-trip), and completion and presentation of a field guide section (post-seminar).

Duration of the Module

The following number of semesters is estimated for taking and completing the module:
2 Semester.

This module may be commenced in the following semesters:
Winter- und Sommersemester.

Maximum Number of Participants

The maximum capacity of students is 10.

Registration Procedures

Required for enrollment is an email notification to the lecturers before the deadline of application. A brief statement of the student‘s scientific background and motivation is required by the first day of class.

Recommended literature
Study material will be made available at the beginning of the Pre-Seminar

Assigned Degree Programs

Semester:

Zeige auch ausgelaufene Studiengänge und StuPOs

This module is used in the following Degree Programs (new System):

	Studiengang / StuPO	StuPOs	Verwendungen	Erste Verwendung	Letzte Verwendung
This module is not used in any degree program.

Students of other degrees can participate in this module without capacity testing.

Miscellaneous

The duration of the field trip to Chile is about 3 weeks, begins and ends in Antofagasta and the excursion will take place in the greater surrounding. Exact dates are made available online (www-astro.physik.tu-berlin.de). The entire costs will be carried by the students (flight, car rental, food and lodging 2000-3000 Euro). In the first session of the pre-seminar detailed information will be given on cost, program and physical challenges of the field class. Priority is given to students with background in Astronomy, Bio- or Geosciences.

Astronomy and Astrobiology in the Atacama Desert