Cumberland Times-News

Bob Doyle - Astronomy

Bob Doyle - Astronomy
  • Here’s your chance to meet the bears

    This afternoon our weekly Sunday programs will resume at 4 p.m. in the Compton Science Center, Room 224. Compton is the large building across the Tawes Hall, set for demolition. 

    February 4, 2012

  • Scientists are uncovering Earth’s distant past

     Powerful telescopes can look far away (also far back in time) to learn about the early universe; earth scientists using radioactive dating and isotopic analysis can investigate the first few billion years of our Earth’s history.

    January 28, 2012

  • Teachers must show what is important

    As well as teaching college, I do sessions in the elementary schools and frequent public presentations; I feel I have a good sense of what makes an impression on my listeners.

    January 21, 2012

  • Students can become self-directed learners

    The last of seven principles featured in the book “How Learning Works” is influencing students to become self-directed learners. This applies primarily to what students do out of class, involving homework, studying for tests, doing papers and assignments. 

    January 14, 2012

  • Here’s how students organize knowledge

    The 2010 book, “How Learning Works” by five researchers in the Pittsburgh area has a wealth of insights as to how teachers can influence students to be more effective learners.

    January 7, 2012

  • Here are the best sky sights through June

    Thanks to the predictive power of astronomy, here are the best bare eye or binocular sights in the first half of 2012. 

    January 1, 2012

  • Tawes Hall was site of many good memories

    In a few weeks, the interior of Frostburg State’s Tawes Hall will start to be gutted; in a month or so, the outside walls will begin to be knocked down.

    December 24, 2011

  • Students need motivation to learn

     Most teachers from elementary to college often wonder, “How can I get some of my students motivated? Then they could learn a great deal more in class, from their readings and from their assignments.” 

    December 17, 2011

  • Prior knowledge can affect your learning

    This column will review the first of the seven principles from “How Learning Works,” one of the most significant books in education in recent years. This principle is “How Does Students’ Prior Knowledge Affect Their Learning?”

    December 10, 2011

  • Seasons and solstices mark the year’s passage

    Many think that in winter, we are farthest from the sun. There is also a widespread belief that in summer we are closest to the sun. In truth, both beliefs are wrong. The Earth-Sun distance varies by 3.4 per cent through the year while the solar insolation (watts/square meter) at midday on a flat surface varies by 80 per cent. 

    December 3, 2011