Corona

Geology 105
Introduction to Astronomy

Timothy McDonnell - Instructor


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Astronomy Puts the Universe at Your Fingertips!

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UNITS OF STUDY


Historic Astronomy

Historic Astronomy:
How do we know what we know today?


Star Trails

Earth Motions:
How did astronomers prove that the Earth was a planet and not the center of the universe?

Solar System


Solar System:
What objects are in the Solar System, and what do we know about each of them?


Stars

The Stars in our Galaxy:
What kinds of stars are found in our own galaxy and those beyond?
How do they live and die?

Galaxy
Galaxies:
How large and how far away are these masses of stars? What does that tell us about how the universe began?






Reading Assignments


WORKSHEETS:
The worksheets are in Word 2003 format. If you cannot download them, please see the instructor for a printed copy. They must be handed one class after we complete a chapter!

Study Guide #1 - Available 9/9/13

POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS:
To help you review class lectures, the powerpoints shown in class are available online. You can download them here:

Intro to Astronomy - intro.ppt
Chapter 1 - Scaling the Universe - chapter1.ppt



    This section of the website will be upgrading monthly as new questions from the text or other tasks are assigned. A printed copy will be available during class time.

Try to get the assignments handed in by the time we finish a chapter. (After all, what good does it do you to answer questions from Chapter 1 when we are on Chapter 11?) I realize that these assignments are only 20% of your final grade, but that can be the difference between a C+ and a A-.  Also, I do use some of the questions on exams. So it's in YOUR best interest to do them!


Here is a list of assignments for Geology 105 for Sept - Oct 2012:

CHAPTER
TOPICS
QUESTIONS
1 - Introductory Topics Scaling the Universe:
• Introduction to Astronomy
• A Quick Survey of the Sky
• Scaling the Universe and Our Solar System
• Astronomy Astrology
Read Chapter 1

Complete the Scaling and the Solar System Chart
2 - The Earth in Space
The Earth in Motion
• Apparent motions of the sun
• Real Motions of the Earth
• The Earth's Seasons
• The Phases and Eclipses of the Moon
• Telling Time on Earth
Read Chapter 2

Study Guide # 1

Motions of the Earth Worksheet
3 - The Copernican System Triumphs
The Rise of Modern Astronomy
• Geocentric Model of the Universe
• The Copernican Revolution
• Proof of the Modern Universe: Galileo, Brahe, Kepler,  and Newton
• Laws of Gravitation and Motion
Read Chapter 3

Study Guide # 2

Problems on the Laws of Motion
4 - All We Need is Light
Interpreting Light to Interpret the Universe
• Light as Wave Energy
• How refracting and reflecting telescopse work.
• The Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Wien’s Law (Temperature)
• Spectral Lines (Elements)
• The Doppler Effect (Motion)
• The Concept of Magnitude

Unit I Exam - Oct. 8/10, 2012
Read Chapter 5

Study Guide # 3

Wien's Law Worksheet
5 - The Solar System
What's in the Solar System, and How Did it Get There?
• The Terrestrial Planets
• The Jovian Planets
• Dwarf Planets
• The Minor Objects in the Solar System: meteoroids, comets, and asteroids
Reading is optional, but it can’t hurt!

Prepare your presentation on the Solar System.

Do the Reference Chart



Click on one of the links below to find out more about
Introduction to Astronomy:








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