Earth Science 1122 – Astronomy: The Solar System
ORIENTATION AND DEADLINE DATES
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
Required Textbooks: The
Solar System (sixth edition), by Michael A. Seeds. Wadsworth Publishing
Company. ISBN: 0-495-38787-8
Study
Guide: Astronomy:
Observations & Theories, by Thomson, Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. ISBN:
0-495-11365-4
Laboratory
Exercises: Astronomy Through Practical Investigations (numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
10, 16, 17M, 17V, 18, 19, 37), by LSW Publications Inc.
Planetary and Satellite Data Tables from
www.LSWpub.com
DVD VIDEO LESSONS
Ten half-hour videotapes to view from the series Astronomy: Observations & Theories.
OTHER
MEDIA
None
ORIENTATION/ATTENDANCE
Must attend one of the scheduled orientation sessions.
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 |
Chapter
1, pp. 1-11; Appendix A, pp. 617-626 |
Lesson 1,
pp. 1-12 |
#1 “The Study of the
Universe” |
|
1 |
|
2 - Observing the Sky |
Chapter
2, pp. 12-32; Appendix B, pp. 627-639; “The Solar Nebula Theory” &
“Survey of the Solar System”, pp. 418-426 |
Lesson 2,
pp. 13-30 |
#2
“Observing the Sky” |
#1
“Metric System & Angular Measurement” #2 “Drawing
the Solar System to Scale” |
||
|
3 - Celestial Cycles |
Chapter
3, pp. 33-51 |
Lesson 3,
pp. 31-50 |
#3
“Celestial Cycles” |
Begin
Observing Log; complete 3-4 observations |
||
|
Unit |
Lesson |
Required Reading in “The Solar System” Text |
Required Course Student Guide |
Video Lesson |
Lab Exercises & Observation Log |
Exam |
|
1 cont. |
4 - Section A: The Birth of
Astronomy |
Chapter
4, pp. 52-77 |
Lesson 4
pp. 51-73 |
#4 “The
Birth of Astronomy” |
|
|
|
|
4 - Section B: Gravity |
Chapter
5, pp. 78-101 |
none |
none |
#16
“Planetary Properties” |
|
|
2 |
5 - Astronomical Tools |
Chapter
6, pp. 102-126 |
Lesson 5,
pp. 75-98 |
#5
“Astronomical Tools” |
|
2 |
|
7 – The Sun – Our Star |
Chapter
8, pp. 149-173; "Perspective: Origins”, pp. 174-191 |
Lesson 7,
pp. 123-142 |
#7 “The
Sun – Our Star” |
Complete
& submit 7-8 observations |
||
|
16 – Solar Systems |
Chapter
19, pp. 416-442 |
Lesson
16, pp. 309-335 |
#16
“Solar Systems” |
#37 “Earth-Sun
Relations” |
||
|
3 |
17 – Section A: Earth: The
Standard for Comparative Planetology |
Chapter
20, pp. 443-459 |
Lesson
17, pp. 337-366 |
#17
“Terrestrial Planets” |
Complete
3-4 observations |
3 |
|
17 – Section B: The Comparative
Planetology of the Moon & Mercury |
Chapter
21, pp. 460-481 |
Lesson
17, pp. 337-366 |
#17
“Terrestrial Planets” |
#10
“Lunar Geology” #17M
“Mercury” |
||
|
17 – Section C: The Comparative
Planetology of Venus & Mars |
Chapter
22, pp. 482-509 |
Lesson
17, pp. 337-366 |
#17
“Terrestrial Planets” |
#17V
“Venus” #18
“Mars” |
||
|
4 |
18 – The Jovian Worlds |
Chapter
23, pp. 510-542 Chapter
24, pp. 543-567 |
Lesson
18, pp. 367-388 |
#18 “The
Jovian Worlds” |
#19 “Jovian
Planets” |
4 |
|
19 – Solar System Debris |
Chapter
25, pp. 568-597 |
Lesson
19, pp. 389-408 |
#19 “Solar System Debris” |
#3
“Asteroids” #4
“Comets” #5
“Meteoroids, & Meteorites” Complete
& submit all remaining observations |
8/22/2008