* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Planets beyond Neptune wikipedia , lookup
Rare Earth hypothesis wikipedia , lookup
Tropical year wikipedia , lookup
Definition of planet wikipedia , lookup
Copernican heliocentrism wikipedia , lookup
Ephemeris time wikipedia , lookup
Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems wikipedia , lookup
Spitzer Space Telescope wikipedia , lookup
Patronage in astronomy wikipedia , lookup
History of Solar System formation and evolution hypotheses wikipedia , lookup
Astrobiology wikipedia , lookup
Constellation wikipedia , lookup
IAU definition of planet wikipedia , lookup
Formation and evolution of the Solar System wikipedia , lookup
Geocentric model wikipedia , lookup
Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics wikipedia , lookup
Astronomical clock wikipedia , lookup
Late Heavy Bombardment wikipedia , lookup
Comparative planetary science wikipedia , lookup
Extraterrestrial life wikipedia , lookup
Epoch (astronomy) wikipedia , lookup
Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam wikipedia , lookup
International Ultraviolet Explorer wikipedia , lookup
Satellite system (astronomy) wikipedia , lookup
Archaeoastronomy wikipedia , lookup
Astrophotography wikipedia , lookup
International Year of Astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Timeline of astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Astronomical unit wikipedia , lookup
Chinese astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Ancient Greek astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Astronomy in the medieval Islamic world wikipedia , lookup
Theoretical astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Hebrew astronomy wikipedia , lookup
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY College of Science and Technology Course Syllabus AST Desig 260 No General Astronomy I Title 4(3-2) F (even years) Credit(mode) I. Bulletin Description A mathematical treatment of modern astronomy for majors/minors in the sciences. Coordinate systems, astronomical instruments, time, moon and eclipses, earth as a planet, other solar system objects. II. Prerequisites PHY 145 or permission of instructor. III. Rationale for Course Level This is the first 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 Night time 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 use of astronomical coordinate systems and orbital elements. 2. be familiar with the terminology and the current knowledge concerning solar system astronomy. 3. be familiar with the types of telescopes and instruments that are in common use in astronomy. . 4. understand how physics is essential for a modern study of astronomy and planetary science. 5. know how to use an astronomical telescope to locate and observe celestial objects. 6. be familiar with the appearance, through a telescope, of commonly observed astronomical objects including the sun, the moon, planets, double stars, and diffuse objects (galaxies, nebulae). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Syllabus Prepared By: Name Wayne Osborn Signature Date March 31, 2003 VIII. Course Outline Week Topics 1 Introduction: definition of astronomy, astronomy as a career, overview of the universe and its contents Describing the sky: celestial sphere concept and coordinate systems 2 Motions of the earth and their effects: rotation, revolution, day and night, seasons 3. Lunar and planetary motions, eclipses, geocentric and heliocentric models of the solar system 4. Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation, orbital mechanics and applications (Kepler’s laws) 5. The nature of light: properties of electromagnetic radiation, properties of atoms and matter, formation and description of spectra 6. Astronomical instruments: telescopes, detectors, cameras and spectrographs 7 Overview of the solar system: content, motions, origin of the solar system, unanswered questions 8 The Earth: interior, atmosphere, magnetosphere, formation and evolution 9. The Moon: properties, comparison to the earth 10-11 The terrestrial planets: Mercury, Venus, and Mars; comparison of these to the earth and the moon. 12-14 The Jovian Planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune; comparison of these to the terrestrial planets and to each other; characteristics of their satellites 15 Minor bodies of the solar system: Pluto, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, Kuiper Belt The laboratory exercises will be related to the above topics but the exact order will be determined by the weather. The laboratory work is of two types: indoor exercises and observing. The exercises will introduce the student to the techniques of astronomical data analysis. The observing will include visual observations, photography, and use of a CCD camera. Typical indoor exercises: Astronomical coordinate systems and the celestial sphere Use of star maps, almanacs and star catalogues Characteristics of astronomical telescopes Determining the earth's orbital velocity Radar determination of Mercury's rotation rate The rotation of Saturn and its Rings Surface features of Mars Typical observing activities: Use of a telescope for visual observations Observing the sun Astronomical imaging Working observatory open nights for the public IX. Evaluation Two mid-term examinations (20% each) A final examination (30%) Homework problems (15%) Laboratory exercises (15%) X. Bibliography The American Ephemeris and Astronomical Almanac (U.S. Government Printing Office). Published each year. Chriastiansen, Eric H. and W. Kenneth Hamblin: Exploring the Planets (Prentice Hall), 1995. Consolmagno, Guy and Martha W. Schaeffer: Worlds Apart: A Textbook in Planetary Sciences (Prentice Hall), 1994. Contemporary Laboratory Exercises in Astronomy (CLEA). A series of computer simulations of astronomical observing distributed by Gettysburg College. Hartmann, William: Moons & Planets (Wadsworth Publishing Co.), 1993. Has an extensive list of journal references. Kitchen, C.R.: Astrophysical Techniques (Adam Hilger), 1991. Zeilik, Michael and Stephen Gregory. Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics (Saunders College Publishing), 1998 (fourth edition).