Download EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE Lab - Introduction to Astronomy

EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE
Lab - Introduction to Astronomy
Course Design
2011-2012
Course Information
Division
Science
Course Number
AST 102
Title
Lab - Introduction to Astronomy
Credits
1
Developed by
David Morris
Lecture/Lab Ratio
0 Lecture/3 Lab
Transfer Status
ASU
NAU
AST 113
Activity Course
No
CIP Code
40.0201
Assessment Mode
Portfolio
Semester Taught
Upon Request
GE Category
None
Separate Lab
No
Awareness Course
No
Intensive Writing Course
No
AST 181 also
satisfies: Lab
Science [LAB]
UA
Non Transferable
Prerequisites
ENG 091 with a grade of “C” or higher or reading placement test score as established by District
policy
Educational Value
This course meets the lab portion of the lab/science general studies requirement for graduation when
taken with the lecture (AST 101). This course is provided for students who cannot take lab and lecture
during the same semester. The combination of AST 101-102 is equivalent to AST 103.
Description
Introduction to astronomical observations with the use of a series of telescopes and lab exercises.
Supplies
None
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Lab - Introduction to Astronomy
Competencies and Performance Standards
1.
Interpret a star chart
Learning objectives
What you will learn as you master the competency:
a.
Locate constellations and stars in the sky with a star chart and observe their positions in
the sky during a season
b.
Plot the path of planets in the sky with the constellations
c.
Identify the distance, size, composition and types of deep-sky objects in the sky
d.
Identify the surface features and phases of our Moon
e.
Identify the orbits of the moons of other planets
f.
Identify the phases and configurations of the planets
g.
Locate the celestial object with right ascension, declination azimuth and altitude
coordinates
h.
Compare the parallax, magnitude, size, temperature, age and evolutionary stage of major
stars
Performance Standards
You will demonstrate your competence:
o
in lab activity reports and sky observations
o
in objective final exam
Performance will be satisfactory when:
2.
o
learner can identify major constellations and stars associated with a particular season of
the year
o
learner can identify the motion of planets along the ecliptic
o
learner can identify deep-sky objects
o
learner can explain the properties of a moon
o
learner can locate celestial objects with various sets of coordinates
o
learner can identify the properties of stars
Understand the true and apparent motions of heavenly objects and the relationship of
those motions to the Earth’s seasons, variation in day length, and climate and to the
development of the calendar
Learning objectives
What you will learn as you master the competency:
a.
Understand the daily observations that result from the rotational motion of the Earth
b.
Understand the annual observations that result from the orbital motion of the Earth
c.
Plot the changing path of planets against the fixed background of stars
d.
Identify the distance, size, composition and types of deep-sky objects in the sky
e.
Identify the surface features and phases of our Moon
f.
Identify other planets’ satellites and their visual properties
g.
Identify the phases and visual configurations of the planets and the spatial relationships
that create the phases and visual configurations of the planets
h.
Locate celestial objects using celestial coordinates (right ascension, declination)
i.
Compare the parallax, apparent and absolute magnitudes, sizes, temperatures, ages
EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE
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Lab - Introduction to Astronomy
and evolutionary stages of bright stars visible in the night sky
j.
Identify the 88 I.A.U. constellations, their lore, and the brightest stars in the night sky
Performance Standards
You will demonstrate your competence:
o
objective/essay tests
o
lab activity reports and sky observations
o
telescopic observational sketches
o
class demonstrations
o
objective final exam
o
performing astronomical tasks using astronomical instruments
Your performance will be successful when:
3.
o
learner can identify major constellations and stars associated with a particular season of
the year
o
learner can identify the motion of planets along the ecliptic
o
learner can identify deep-sky objects
o
learner can explain the properties of a natural or artificial satellite
o
learner can locate celestial objects with various types of optical instruments
o
learner can identify the visual and physical properties of stars
Compare the composition and formation of our solar system with other planetary
systems
Learning objectives
What you will learn as you master the competency:
a.
Compare the properties of each planet in our solar system
b.
Compare the properties of extrasolar planets
c.
Compare the properties of the meteoroids, asteroids, comets and other small bodies in
our solar system
d.
Examine the properties of the Sun
e.
Examine the properties of stars in other planetary systems and compare them with the
Sun
Performance Standards
You will demonstrate your competence:
o
objective/ essay tests
o
class demonstrations
Your performance will be successful when:
o
learner can distinguish the differences and similarities among the planets and satellites
in our solar system
o
learner can specify the differences and similarities among the meteoroids, asteroids,
comets and small bodies within our solar system
o
learner can explain the differences between the Sun and the planets
o
learner can describe the properties of extrasolar planetary systems
o
learner can distinguish between Jovian planets and Terrestrial planets
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Lab - Introduction to Astronomy
4.
Compare the composition and formation of our Sun with other stellar objects
Learning objectives
What you will learn as you master the competency:
a.
Identify properties of stars on the H/R Diagram
b.
Identify the patterns of evolution of stars on the H/R Diagram
Performance Standards
You will demonstrate your competence:
o
objective/essay tests
o
class demonstrations
Your performance will be successful when:
5.
o
learner can describe the properties of the Sun
o
learner can explain the formation of the Sun
o
learner can describe the properties of other types of stars
o
learner can explain the formation of other types of stars
Compare the structure and formation of the Milky Way Galaxy with other types of galaxies
in our Universe
Learning objectives
What you will learn as you master the competency:
a.
Identify the size, shape, mass and orbital motion and period of the Milky Way Galaxy
b.
Identify the various stellar regions within the Milky Way Galaxy
c.
Explain the formation of the Milky Way Galaxy
d.
Explain Hubble's classification of galaxies
e.
Describe the formation and evolution of the other types of galaxies
f.
Describe the distribution of galactic clusters and superclusters
Performance Standards
You will demonstrate your competence:
o
objective/essay tests
o
class demonstrations
Performance will be satisfactory when:
o
learner can describe the components of the Milky Way Galaxy
o
learner can describe the properties of other types of galaxies
o
learner can discuss theories regarding the formation and evolution of the various types of
galaxies
o
learner can explain the spatial and temporal distribution of the various galaxies
Types of Instruction
Classroom and Field discussions and collaborative learning exercises
Lab experiments and demonstrations
Student presentations
Night sky observations and exercises
Computer research and exploration using interactive software and the World Wide Web
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Lab - Introduction to Astronomy
Grading Information
Grading Rationale
Quizzes = 40%
Lab Final = 10%
Lab Exercises = 25%
Observational Field Work = 25%
Grading Scale
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
Below 60%
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Lab - Introduction to Astronomy