EARTH SCIENCE 1124 – Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies
ORIENTATION AND DEADLINE DATES
This is an information sheet only, not the course syllabus.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A study
of stars, galaxies, deep space objects, and cosmology utilizing the latest
astronomical discoveries. Major topics
include constellations, the Sun, stellar types, motions, parallax, magnitudes,
luminosity, spectra, classifications, clusters, evolution, quasars, nebula,
galaxy classification and composition, the Big Bang, inflation, and
cosmology. 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: Stars and Galaxies (sixth edition) by Michael A.
Seeds, Thomson Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, Belmont, CA 2007. ISBN: 0-495-38819-X.
Study
Guide: Course
Student Guide for Astronomy: Observations & Theories. Thomson Brooks/Cole Publishing Company,
Belmont, CA. ISBN: 0-495-11365-4.
Laboratory
Exercises: Astronomy
Through Practical Investigations (numbers 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, 33, 34). LSW Publications Inc.,
DVDs
Fifteen half-hour DVD programs to view from the Astronomy: Observations and
Theories series
None
ORIENTATION/ATTENDANCE
Must attend one of the scheduled orientation sessions.
EVALUATION/GRADING
Twelve lab exercises, four exams, observation log
COURSE OUTLINE
|
Number |
Required Text |
Study Guide |
DVD Lessons |
Activity |
Exam Number |
|
I |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. The Study of the Universe |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 1-11 and Appendix A, pp. 435-444 |
Study Guide, pp.
1-12 |
#1: The Study of the
Universe |
Lab. Ex. #21 “Math for Introductory Astronomy” |
|
|
2. Observing the Sky |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 12-32 and Appendix B, pp. 445-457 |
Study Guide, pp.
13-30 |
#2: Observing the
Sky |
Lab Ex. #20 “Using a Star Finder” |
|
|
3. Celestial
Cycles |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 33-51 |
Study Guide, pp.
31-50 |
#3: Celestial Cycles |
Begin working on Observing Log |
1 |
|
II |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. The Birth of Astronomy |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 52-101 |
Study Guide, pp.
51-74 |
#4: The Birth of
Astronomy |
Work on observing log |
|
|
5. Astronomical
Tools |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 102-126 |
Study Guide, pp.
75-98 |
#5: Astronomical
Tools |
Lab Ex. #22 “Electromagnetic Radiation” |
|
|
6. The
Science of Starlight |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 127-148 |
Study Guide, pp.
99-122 |
#6: The Science of
Starlight |
Lab Ex. #30 “Stellar
Spectra and Classification” |
|
|
7. The
Sun - Our Star |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 149-173 |
Study Guide, pp.
123-142 |
#7 The Sun - Our
Star |
Lab Ex. #26 “Our Star–The Sun” |
2 |
|
III |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8. The Family of Stars |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 174-201 |
Study Guide pp.
143-164 |
#8: The Family of
Stars |
Lab Ex. #29 “Stellar Brightness” Lab Ex. #27 “Stellar Parallax – Measuring the Distance to
Stars” |
|
|
9. The Interstellar Medium |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 202-219 |
Study Guide, None |
|
Lab Ex. #33 “The Material
Between Stars” |
|
|
10. Stellar Birth |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 220-240 |
Study Guide, pp.
165-186 |
#9: Stellar Birth |
Lab. Ex. # 28 “The Moving
Stars” |
|
|
11. Stellar Evolution |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 241-263 |
Study Guide,
None |
|
Lab Ex. #32 “Variable Stars” |
|
|
12. Stellar Death |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 264-286 |
Study Guide, pp.
187-206 |
#10: Stellar Death |
|
|
|
13. Stellar Remnants |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 287-313 |
Study Guide, pp.
207-224 |
#11: Stellar
Remnants |
Lab Ex. #31 “H–R Diagram” |
3 |
|
IV |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14. Our Galaxy - the Milky Way |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 314-341 |
Study Guide, pp.
225-248 |
#12: Our Galaxy -
the Milky Way |
|
|
|
15. Galaxies |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 342-366 |
Study Guide, pp.
249-268 |
#13: Galaxies |
Lab Ex. #34 “Galaxies” |
|
|
16. Active Galaxies |
Stars and Galaxies,
367-388 |
Study Guide, pp.
269-284 |
#14: Active Galaxies |
|
|
|
17. Cosmology |
Stars and Galaxies,
pp. 389-415 |
Study Guide, pp.
285-308 |
#15: Cosmology |
|
4 |
8/22/2008