Download ES21- Astronomy Of The Solar System

Suffolk County Community College
Department Of Natural Sciences
Course Outline
Course: AST101 – Astronomy Of The Solar System (Hybrid)
Section: 501 (CRN: 64110)
Semester: Summer 2017
Professor: John W. Kulkosky
Office: S215
Telephone: 851-6434
E-Mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: To Be Announced
Introduction
Welcome to AST101 – Astronomy of the Solar System hybrid course. The course is based on sets of
lecture notes (as Microsoft Word documents), corresponding slides (as Microsoft PowerPoint files) and a
packet of laboratory modules. The lecture notes and slides can be accessed through the course website. The
address is: http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/kulkosj/ast101/. Within the lectures notes you will observe
numbers, represented as red-colored superscripts, which correspond to numbered slides of images and
diagrams within the PowerPoint presentations. Print the notes, and as you read the notes, refer to the slides.
Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, so look at the slides carefully, especially the diagrams. To
access the PowerPoint presentations, either left-click on the word “Slides” to open the file or right-click and
then choose “Save Target As…” to download onto your computer. Because the PowerPoint files are rather
large, a high-speed Internet connection is preferred. If you do not have the PowerPoint program, you can
download the viewer through a hyperlink on the website.
Resources

AST101 – Astronomy Of The Solar System Internet Site
http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/kulkosj/ast101/
John W. Kulkosky

Astronomy Through Practical Investigations
George Lomaga, Wayne Smiley and Robert Warasila

Number-2 Pencil
Course Objectives

Outline the principal developments in astronomy to the present state of planetary research.

Describe the fundamental aspects of coordinates and motions of celestial objects – the Sun, Moon,
planets and stars; including configurations and/or phase determinations. (The star finder, horizon
system, celestial sphere diagrams and planetarium are used to solve problems to demonstrate
proficiency in this objective.)
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
Describe the properties and individual characteristics of the planets and their satellites, asteroids,
comets and meteoroids-meteors-meteorites of the solar system; including the basic concepts of
comparative planetology in regard to understanding the differences and similarities among these
objects.

Describe the current models of the origin and evolution of the solar system, including the observations
that support these models.

Identify the prominent constellations and stars of the night sky. (The planetarium and evening
observations are used to demonstrate proficiency in this objective.)
Student Responsibilities

Attend all class meetings. Be on time to class.

Complete all assigned laboratory modules.

Take all examinations.

Participate in class discussions and activities. Class activities may include an evening observation.

Ask questions and seek help when needed.
Grading Procedures

Six examinations will be given based on lecture notes and laboratory modules. All examinations are
weighted equally. The student’s lowest examination grade will be dropped. The student’s final grade
will be the average of five of the six examinations given.

Extra credit may be attained by writing a five-page (single-spaced) research paper on a specific topic
of planetary astronomy. The paper is worth up to three points on the student’s final grade. The topic
for the paper must be approved by the instructor.
Material Covered On Each Examination
Examination One – Lecture Notes: The Science of Astronomy and Celestial Observations;
Laboratory Modules: Investigations No. 15 and No. 20
Examination Two – Lecture Notes: The Development of Astronomy;
Laboratory Modules: Investigations No. 9, No. 14 and No. 16
Examination Three – Lecture Notes: The Origin of the Solar System, The Earth and The Moon;
Readings: Investigation No. 17M (the section of the introduction concerning the origin of the solar system);
Laboratory Modules: Investigation No. 10
Examination Four – Lecture Notes: Mercury, Venus and Mars;
Laboratory Modules: Investigations No. 17M, No. 17V and No. 18
Examination Five – Lecture Notes: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune;
Laboratory Modules: Investigation No. 19
Examination Six – Lecture Notes: Pluto, Asteroids, Comets and Meteoroids-Meteors-Meteorites;
Laboratory Modules: Investigations No. 19, No. 3 and No. 4
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Course Schedule
05/30:
The Science of Astronomy and Celestial Observations
06/01:
Investigation No. 15
06/06:
Investigation No. 20
06/08:
Examination One
Investigation No. 9
06/13:
Investigation No. 14
06/15:
Examination Two (Part One)
The Development of Astronomy
06/20:
Investigation No. 16
The Origin of the Solar System
06/22:
Examination Two (Part Two)
The Earth
06/27:
The Moon and Mercury
Investigations No. 10 and No. 17M
06/29:
Examination Three
Venus and Mars
Investigations No. 17V and No. 18
07/06:
Jupiter and Saturn
Investigation No. 19
07/11:
Examination Four
Uranus and Neptune
Investigation No. 19 (continued)
07/13:
Examination Five
Pluto and Asteroids
Investigations No. 19 (continued) and No. 3
07/18:
Comets and Meteoroids-Meteors-Meteorites
Investigation No. 4
07/20:
Examination Six
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