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CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
College of Science and Technology
Course Syllabus
AST 261
Desig No
General Astronomy II
Title
4(3-2) Sp (odd years)
Credit(mode)
I.
Bulletin Description
A continuation of AST 260. Stellar astronomy, interstellar matter, galactic structure, galaxies, quasars,
cosmology.
II.
Prerequisites
AST 260 or permission of instructor.
III.
Rationale for Course Level
This is the second semester of a two-semester introductory astronomy course. Although the course is an
introductory one, it requires some background beyond typical 100-level courses (e.g. calculus, introductory
physics) and is most appropriate for the 200-level.
IV.
Textbooks and Other Materials To Be Furnished by the Student
An introductory astronomical textbook that includes the mathematics and physics on which modern astronomy
is based (example: Zeilik and Gregory: Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1998).
V.
Special Requirements of the Course
Nighttime use of the astronomical observatory is required.
VI.
General Methodology Used in Conducting the Course
Three hours of lecture per week supplemented by a required two-hour laboratory involving astronomical
observations and an introduction to astronomical data analysis.
VII.
Course Objectives
After completion of the course, the student will
1.
be familiar with the terminology and current knowledge concerning stellar astronomy, including
observational properties, double stars, variable stars, stellar structure, and the stages of stellar
evolution.
2.
be familiar with the terminology and current knowledge concerning interstellar matter, galactic
structure, extragalactic astronomy and cosmology.
3.
know how to use the instruments most commonly used on astronomical telescopes
4.
be able to explain the nature of astronomical research, including how a research project is developed
and carried out.
VIII.
Course Outline
Week
Topics
1.
Introduction
Review of important concepts from AST 260
2.
The Sun
3.
Stars: distances, brightnesses and the magnitude system, colors
4.
Stars: double stars and stellar masses
5.
Stellar atmospheres, stellar spectra, the HR diagram
6.
Interstellar matter, star formation
7-8.
Stellar structure, stages of stellar evolution, final stellar states
9.
Intrinsic variable stars: pulsating variables and P-L relations, cataclysmic variables
10.
Galactic structure, stellar populations, stellar kinematics
11-12.
Other galaxies: classification, properties, Hubble’s Law, cluster of galaxies
13.
Active galaxies, quasars
14 –15. Cosmology: relevant observations, theories
The laboratory exercises will be related to the above topics but order will be determined by the weather. The
laboratory work is of three two types: indoor exercises, observing exercises, and a project. The indoor
exercises will introduce the student to the techniques of astronomical data analysis. The observing will include
use of instruments commonly used with astronomical telescopes: cameras, photometers, spectrographs. A
portion of the observing and data reduction is built around a project designed to introduce the student to
astronomical research methods.
Typical indoor exercises:
Photometry and an HR diagram of an open cluster
Classification of stellar spectra
Variable stars in a globular cluster
Use of the Palomar Sky Survey: interstellar matter
Use of the Palomar Sky Survey: galaxies
Hubble's Law
Typical observing activities:
Visual observing (review of AST 260, but a different season's objects)
Using a CCD camera
Using a photoelectric photometer
Using an astronomical spectrograph
Public astronomy: observatory open nights and community groups
Typical research projects:
Brightness observations of a variable star
Observations of double stars
Timings of lunar occultations
IX.
Evaluation
Two mid-term examinations (15% each)
A final examination (30%)
Homework problems (15%)
Laboratory exercises (15%)
Laboratory research project (10%)
X.
Bibliography
The American Ephemeris and Astronomical Almanac (U.S. Government Printing Office). Published each year.
Astronomy Magazine (Klambach Publishing). Published monthly.
Contemporary Laboratory Exercises in Astronomy (CLEA). A series of computer simulations of astronomical
observing distributed by Gettysburg College.
Freedman, R. A. and W. J. Kaufmann. Universe (W. H. Freeman, New York), 2002
Kitchen, C.R. Astrophysical Techniques (Adam Hilger), 1998.
Laboratory Exercises in Astronomy (Sky Publishing Corporation). A series of exercises published in Sky and
Telescope since 1964.
Mercury magazine (Astronomical Society of the Pacific). Published bi-monthly.
Sky and Telescope magazine (Sky Publishing Corp.). Published monthly.
Swihart, T.L. Quantitative Astronomy (Prentice Hall), 1992.
Zeilik, Michael and Stephen Gregory. Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics (Saunders College
Publishing), 1998 (fourth edition).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Syllabus Prepared By:
Name
Wayne Osborn
Signature
Date
March 28, 2003