Download AST 1002

AST 1002
Descriptive Astronomy
AST 1002 Descriptive Astronomy (3) (A.A.) The course meets Area V requirements for the
A.A./A.S. general education requirements. This course is designed to give the student an
understanding of the basic principles of astronomy. Topics covered include the history of
astronomy, timekeeping, instrumentation, basic celestial mechanics and dynamics, comparative
planetology and stellar evolution. This course uses a descriptive approach with a minimum of
mathematics. Some fieldwork may be required.
Performance Standards:
At the successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Demonstrate the correct use of basic astronomical terms and their definitions.
Describe the structure and orbital motion of the Earth, and explain why it leads to
seasons and changes in the constellations of the night sky.
Identify the fundamental types of astronomical telescopes.
Describe how time is determined and kept, with reference to celestial motions.
Describe the properties of electromagnetic radiation, especially visible light.
Describe and diagram the motions of our Moon and the causes of phases and eclipses.
Describe the eight major planets, their features and significant satellites.)
Identify the brightest objects (including planets and stars) and the major constellations of
the night sky.
Describe minor and dwarf members of the solar system.
Compare the various theories of stellar evolution and describe how they depend on
stellar mass.
Compare the various theories explaining the formation of the solar system and our Moon,
and justify why the solar nebula theory currently provide the best match of the
experimental data.
Identify the basic structure of stars and the characteristics of different types of stars.
Demonstrate the ability to use current technologies to gather information about
astronomy.
Date of Original Submission:
Date of Last Revision:
Date of Last Review:
12/1/78
2/17/00
2/17/00, 9/26/2013