Astronomy Lecture in SL - The Sun.

Lately I have been very much interested in bringing in real-world college level education into SL, in the form of classes/courses at a virtual university. Currently, I am undergoing construction of the first lecture hall in a series of buildings next to my library that I will operate as a university.

Since I'm the sort who builds on his dreams, and can't WAIT to get things going, I have decided to give a series of astronomy lectures starting this week. The main reason behind this, is because I have an astronomy exam on Friday, and I need to study =). Preparing these lectures is not only a GREAT way to practice what I've learned, but it gets me excited to diffuse this knowledge to others. I absolutely LOVE astronomy, and hopefully there's at least a couple of nuts in SL who share this love.

Soon (within the next day or two), I hope to give my first lecture on The Sun. This will be an in-depth lecture on the processes which makes the sun shine as well as the various parts and structure of the sun. I'd REALLY like to see some people there, as it's really cool (IMO) to understand how all of these things work. There's a lot of background info lectures that I would *like* to do before this, but first I need to lecture on what's relevant to my exam, and then I will design a full astronomy course in SL that focuses on stars and galaxies, as well as general astronomy background and info. Don't be afraid if you don't know much about astronomy just yet, I think this will be a great way for anyone interested to learn a thing or two.

If you would like to know more about this, or would like to see my lecture hall (Harrison Hall at the Abitibi/Louise border, next to The Librarium at 192, 12), please give me an IM in-game or post to this thread. And keep your eyes on this thread for when I announce when the actual lecture would be!

P.S. I'd love feedback on this whole university/lecture idea of mine, but PLEASE, naysayers don't bother telling me you think it's a dumb idea here. I don't want to hear "blah blah blah..SL is for fun..blah blah can do these things elsewhere".

It's a great idea

Let me know if I can script / build something for your lecture.

blaze, thanks for the offer. Last night I actually finished a podium and projector screen style setup. It's pretty neat, the podium has an "electronic screen" on it that displays the same texture as the screen so you can face the audience, but know which slide you're on.
But perhaps in the future when I'm an all-out university, you can build some models/displays for people to interact and learn from =)

I love the idea. I may have to attend.

I am so there! If there is anything at all i can do to help give me an IM in world!

Great idea! In my (RL) experience, public astronomy lectures always have a good turnout.

BTW, I'm a former professional astronomer (PhD + a couple of years as a postdoc), so hit me up in-world if you'd like to chat about it or go over your lecture or whatever -- if you think you can handle the bitter rantings of an ex-academic.

What a cool way to brush up on your studies!

I always thought it would be neat to host discussions on topology ("planar mathematics" or even cosmological mathematics (which kind of ties into astronomy). Alas I am far too busy, but if I get the chance, I just might pop in for one of these "lectures"

cheers

OmegaX - Neat

I'm no astronomer, but previously I've thought about doing some sort of presentation of astronomical objects; nearby stars, the Local Group, that kind of thing. Something 3D that you could walk around and see from different perspectives, to get a more tangible sense of where things are. I made a small effort to find a practical database of astro. object positions, but didn't find one and went onto other things. If you could point me to one I might be able to build something for you, if you're interested. I wouldn't be able to commit to a deadline, but it would be free.

Regardless, good luck on the project.

Ricky, Niiiiice. You're allowed to come to the lectures, but you're not allowed to ask me questions though...you'll make me look like a fool
You can feel free to explain to me how singularity in black holes can exist and not violate the Pauli Exclusion Principle however =)

Wow - what an awesome idea, Omega I'd love to attend if its at the right time

I hope we see more of this kind of thing!

Wondeful idea, Omega. SL can be a great teaching tool, and using the lectures as your own study tool is brilliant. The best way to learn is always to teach.

By the way, have you considered lecturing on the SL sun as well as the real sun? I'd really love to know what kind of nuclear physical chemistry creates rays of visible sunlight that pass right through solid metal, stone, wood, etc., but somehow manage to still cast shadows of people's feet. Also I gotta know how exactly does it cast reflections of the moon onto solid ground as well as water.

Maybe we need a group of astronomy buffs? (We could call it the "Local Group", except the astronomy-challenged wouldn't know what we were talking about. )

Lol! I could also research why it turns blue and green at extremely high altitudes, and why the moon sometimes cycles through the different colors of the spectrum.
Actually, when I tell people I'm going to be lecturing on astronomy in-game, they ask "SL astronomy, or RL astronomy?" The thought of studying SL astronomy is..bizarre.

May want to look at the wiki by some stuff published by Ezhar Fairlight. He actually collected a bunch of data about the SL sun and moon and their paths, etc.

oooh, it would neat to be able to attend a lecture in secondlife.... And what a weird way to study XD

Yes, I seem to pick the least efficient ways to do things. What other undergraduate astronomy students choose to teach lectures in a virtual world just to study?

I'm trying to get my lecture notes/slides finished, but I've been sick with a cold and/or seasonal allergies this past week, and it's been complicating things.

Awesome idea!

Everything I know about the sun I learned from They Might Be Giants:

Dammit! That actually DOES sum up my lecture pretty well. Ok, lecture's canceled, everyone just listen to that song =P

And then follow it up with Particle Man and Istanbul (Not Constantinople), just to complete the educational theme.

What level of course is the exam you're preparing for, OmegaX?

When is the class!?!!!? (!?!?!?!?!eleven)

Sounds fun

Can you give me at least a day's advance notice? I really want to attend, but I might have to fudge my work schedule to go. I hope it's a night class

Ready to get my Sagan on.

I have a theory... now I know you guys are going to think I'm crazy, but I'm telling you this doesn't challenge our faith- It just shows that maybe the almighty Linden has bigger plans than we realize. Alright... Here's my idea. I hypothesize that the skybox doesn't revolve around us, we revolve around the skybox!

Heretic!

Let's git 'im!