Earth Science 1122 - Astronomy: The Solar System

This is an information sheet only, not the course syllabus.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introduction to the solar system using recently available astronomical data. Major topics include scale models, planetary properties, earth-sun relationships, lunar geology, terrestrial planets, jovian planets, natural satellites and ring systems, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, meteors, meteorites, interplanetary space probes, and formation theories. Prerequisite: Math 0481 with a grade of C or better or a qualifying score on the Math Placement Exam.
4 Credit Hours

COURSE MATERIALS

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COURSE MEDIA

Ten half-hour videotapes to view from the series Astronomy: Observations & Theories.

ORIENTATION/ATTENDANCE

Orientation is required.

EVALUATION/GRADING

Twelve labs, four exams, observation log (about 15 observations)

COURSE OUTLINE

Unit	Lesson	Required Reading in “The Solar System” Text	Required Course Student Guide	Video Lesson	Lab Exercises & Observation Log	Exam
1	1 – Study of the Universe Here and Now	Chapter 1 Appendix A	Lesson 1	#1 “The Study of the Universe”
	2 – Observing the Sky	Chapter 2 Appendix B “The Solar Nebula Theory” & “Survey of the Solar System”	Lesson 2,	#2 “Observing the Sky”	#1 “Metric System & Angular Measurement” #2 “Drawing the Solar System to Scale”
	3 – Celestial Cycles of the Moon	Chapter 3	Lesson 3	#3 “Celestial Cycles”	Begin Observing Log; complete 3-4 observations
	4 - Section A: The Birth of Astronomy Origin of Mondern Astronomy	Chapter 4	Lesson 4	#4 “The Birth of Astronomy”
	4 - Section B: Gravity	Chapter 5	none	none	#16 “Planetary Properties”	1
2	5 – Light and Telescopes	Chapter 6	Lesson 5	#5 “Astronomical Tools”
	7 – The Sun –Our Star	Chapter 8 "Perspective: Origins”	Lesson 7	#7 “The Sun – Our Star”	Complete & submit 7-8 observations
	16 – Solar Systems	Chapter 19	Lesson 16	#16 “Solar Systems”	#6 “Earth-Sun Connections and Space Weather”	2
3	17 – Section A: Earth: The Standard for Comparative Planetology	Chapter 20	Lesson 17	#17 “Terrestrial Planets”	Complete 3-4 observations
	17 – Section B: The Moon and Mercury –Comparing Airless Worlds	Chapter 21	Lesson 17	#17 “Terrestrial Planets”	#10 “Lunar Geology” #17M “Mercury”
	17 – Section C: The Comparative Planetology of Venus & Mars	Chapter 22	Lesson 17	#17 “Terrestrial Planets”	#17V “Venus” #18 “Mars”	3
4	18 – The Jovian Worlds	Chapter 23 Chapter 24	Lesson 18	#18 “The Jovian Worlds”	#19 “Jovian Planets”
	19 – Solar System Debris	Chapter 25	Lesson 19	#19 “Solar System Debris”	#3 “Asteroids” #4 “Comets” #5 “Meteoroids, & Meteorites” Complete & submit all remaining observations	4