Introduction to Astronomy
(PHYS 110; 3 credits lecture)
Spring 1997
Instructor: John Phillips
Telephone: 227-9343 (leave message)
Office Hours: posted on office door in the computer lab and by appointment.
Textbook: Kaufmann, W. J. and Neil Comins, Discovering the Universe, 4th ed. W.H. Freeman Co., 1996.
Supplies: Scientific calculator and misc. lab supplies.
Course Description: This course is designed to give students an overview of classical and modern astronomy. We will discuss what is known about the stars, planets, and other objects which make up the night sky. In addition, we will discuss the underlying physical concepts, theories, and laws which govern the operation of these heavenly bodies. Recommended corequisite: Astronomy Laboratory (PHYS 112).
Course Outline:
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Chapter 1 |
Discovering the Night Sky |
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Chapter 2 |
Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets |
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Chapter 3 |
Light and Telescopes |
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Chapter 4 |
The Origin and Nature of Light |
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Chapter 5 |
The Earth and its Moon |
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Chapter 6 |
The Other Inner Planets |
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Chapter 7 |
The Outer Planets |
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Chapter 8 |
Vagabonds of the Solar System; Midterm Test |
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Chapter 9 |
Our Star, the Sun |
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Chapter 10 |
The Nature of Stars; Research Paper Due |
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Chapter 11 |
The Lives of Stars |
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Chapter 12 |
The Deaths of Stars |
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Chapter 13 |
Black Holes |
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Chapter 14 |
The Milky Way Galaxy |
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Chapter 15 |
Galaxies; Final Exam |
Grading:
One midterm exam will count 30%. One comprehensive final exam will count 30%. One research paper will count 30%. One presentation will count 10%. Up to four absences will be allowed if excused; thereafter, minus 1% per absence. The grading scale is: 90 percent and above is an A, 80 to 89 percent is a B, and so on.
Disclaimer:
The instructor reserves the right to make modifications to this syllabus as the course progresses. The student is responsible for understanding and observing all college policies including but not limited to the drop deadline.
Tentative Schedule of Material
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Week |
Tuesday Lecture |
Tuesday Laboratory |
Thursday Lecture |
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1/14 |
Intro. to course Email accounts |
Design astronomy instruments |
Powers of 10 Numbers and units |
|
1/21 |
Resources on Internet Chapter 1 Sundials |
Calibrate sundial (10 - 4) compile and graph (8pm) |
Chapter 2 |
|
1/28 |
Apollo 13 |
Winter sky - group 1 Internet research |
Apollo 13 |
|
2/4 |
Chapter 3 Cosmos |
Winter sky - group 2 Internet research |
Chapter 4 |
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2/11 |
News report video Test question groups |
Computer sim 1 |
Chapter 5 |
|
2/18 |
On Jupiter video Test question groups |
Moon lab #1 at CTAC |
Chapter 6 |
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2/25 |
Cosmos Test question groups |
Winter sky - group 1 Computer sim 2 |
Chapter 7 |
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3/4 |
Review Test question groups |
Winter sky - group 2 Computer sim 2 |
Midterm Exam |
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3/18 |
Cosmos |
Calibrate sundial (10 - 4) compile and graph |
Chapter 8 |
|
3/25 |
Research paper due Peer paper review |
Moon lab #2 at CTAC |
Chapter 9 |
|
4/1 |
Cosmos |
Comet at CTAC and dark sky location |
Chapter 10 |
|
4/8 |
Paper presentations Test question groups |
Comet at CTAC and dark sky location |
Chapter 11 |
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4/15 |
Paper presentations Test question groups |
Long term observing project calculations, graphs, and summary |
Chapter 12 |
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4/22 |
Paper presentations Test question groups |
Computer sim 3 |
Chapter 13 |
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4/29 |
Are we alone? (ID4) |
Spring sky - group 1 Computer sim 4 |
Are we alone? Video |
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5/6 |
Chapter 14 & 15 |
Spring sky - group 2 Computer sim 4 |
Review Test question groups |
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5/13 |
Final Exam on date to be announced |
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Objectives:
Competencies:
The student will be able to: