20806243Survey of Astronomy
Course Information
Description
Survey of Astronomy in an introdutory course covering the observations, theories, and principles of astronomy. Areas covered include: the sky, telescopes, history of astronomy, the Earth and solar system, stars and their evolution, galaxies, and the evolution of the universe. The course consists of lecture, discussion, lab, and some evening observing sessions (These are off campus meetings for star viewing with the school's binoculars and telescopes.).Recommendation: completion of high school algebra
Total Credits
5
Course Competencies
  1. Explain astronomical phenomena
    Assessment Strategies
    completing lab projects
    participating in observing sessions
    completing an observation journal
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    observe the daily movement of the sun, moon, stars, and planets in the sky
    explain the daily movement of the sun, moon, stars, and planets in the sky
    observe the longer-term movement (ex. montly, annual, etc.) of the sun, moon, and planets relative to the backgroud stars
    explain the longer-term movement (ex. montly, annual, etc.) of the sun, moon, and planets relative to the backgroud stars
    explain the causes and effects of seasons
    observe the lunar phases and motions in the sky
    sketch the lunar phases and motions in the sky
    explain the lunar phases and motions in the sky
    observe the annual motion of Sun in the sky
    explain the annual motion of Sun in the sky
    explain the conditions necessary for solar and lunar elcipses
    describe the appearance of the eclipsed body

  2. Use various astronomical tools
    Assessment Strategies
    completing lab projects
    attending observing sessions
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    explain the major functions of a telescope (or binoculars)
    focus a telescope (or binoculars)
    explain the structure of reflecting and refracting telescopes
    sketch the structure of reflecting and refracting telescopes
    use a starfinder (planisphere)
    explain the function of spectroscopes (diffraction gratings)
    use a spectroscope (diffraction grating)
    explain the function of photometers (filters)

  3. Apply astronomical coordinates
    Assessment Strategies
    completing lab projects
    participating in observing sessions
    completing an observation journal
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    use a starfinder (planisphere)
    use a celestial globe
    explain the equatorial coordinate system (right ascension and declination)
    explain the horizon coordinate system (altitude and azimuth)
    use altitude and azimuth in your observations
    identify the ecliptic, the zodiac, bright stars, major constellations and asterisms

  4. Summarize the achievements of ancient astronomers
    Assessment Strategies
    participating in discussion activity
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    outline the cosmologies of early cultures
    explain the contributions of the ancient Greeks to astronomy
    explain the contributions of early cultures to the understanding of eclipses
    explain the contributions of early cultures to the understanding of lunar phases
    explain the contributions of early cultures to the understanding of time and development of calendars

  5. Summarize the advancements in astronomy during the Renaissance
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in the class
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    summarize the contributions of Copernicus
    summarize the contributions of Brahe
    summarize the contributions of Galileo
    summarize the contributions of Kepler
    summarize the contributions of Newton
    contrast the relative merits of the heliocentric and geocentric views
    explain how Galileo's telescopic discoveries undermined the Ptolemaic model and supported the Copernican model

  6. Summarize the modern theories of astronomy
    Assessment Strategies
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    summarize the contributions of Einstein
    summarize the contributions of Hubble

  7. Describe the Sun and Solar Activity
    Assessment Strategies
    completing lab projects
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    summarize the physical properties of the Sun
    explain the process of nuclear fusion occuring in the Sun
    explain the solar activity cycle
    explain how solar activity cycle influences the Earth (and other planets)

  8. Explain how various stellar properties are determined
    Assessment Strategies
    participating in discussion activity
    completing lab projects
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    explain how to use stellar spectra to determine stellar temperatures, compositions, radial vecities, magnetic fields, and rotation rates
    explain how to determine distances to stars
    explain how to determine luminosities of stars
    demonstrate the relationship between flux, luminosity, and distance
    demonstrate the relationship between luminosity, radius, and temperature (Stephan-Boltzman relationship)
    explain how to use binary stars to determine stellar masses and radii
    plot stellar information on a HR diagram
    interpret an HR diagram

  9. Explain the evolution of stars
    Assessment Strategies
    completing lab projects
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    explain the evolution of the Sun (a low mass star) from birth to death
    explain the evolution of a high mass star from birth to death
    compare the evolution of stars of various masses (ex. low mass stars vs. high mass stars)
    contrast the evolution of stars of various masses (ex. low mass stars vs. high mass stars)
    relate the current status of extra-solar planetary searches
    summarize how astronomers search for and detect extra-solar planets

  10. Explain how astronomers determine the properties of the Milky Way
    Assessment Strategies
    completing lab projects
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    explain how our view of the Milky Way has changed with time
    sketch the Milky Way
    characterize the major components of the Milky Way
    explain how to determine the dimensions of the Milky Way
    exlpain how to measure the mass of the Milky Way
    describe the evolution of the Milky Way

  11. Explain the properties of galaxies in general
    Assessment Strategies
    participating in discussion activity
    completing lab projects
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    characterize the basic types of galaxies
    sketch the basic types of galaxies
    classify galaxies by their basic types
    explain how astronomers determine the sizes of galaxies
    explain how astronomers determine the composition of galaxies
    explain how astronomers determine the distances to galaxies

  12. Describe the structure of the universe
    Assessment Strategies
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    identify our location in universe
    describe the large scale structure of universe

  13. Describe the evolution of the universe
    Assessment Strategies
    completing lab projects
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    explain Hubble's observation of the expansion of the universe
    explain the cosmological principle
    investigate current cosmologies (especially Big Bang Theory)
    outline evidence for Big Bang Theory
    summarize the origin and early evolution of universe
    summarize the possible fates of universe
    explain what observations astronomers are making in order to more accurately determine the fate of the universe

  14. Summarize basic properties of solar system objects
    Assessment Strategies
    participating in discussion activity
    completing lab projects
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    compare the terrestrial planets
    contrast the terrestrial planets
    compare the jovian planets
    contrast the jovian planets
    compare major satellites
    contrast major satellites
    summarize properties and characteristics of asteroids
    summarize properties and characteristics comets
    summarize other solar system objects
    identify the major solar system missions and their accomplishments
    compare our solar system with other planetary systems
    contrast our solar system with other planetary systems

  15. Describe the origin of our solar system
    Assessment Strategies
    taking a written test/quiz
    Criteria
    describe the origin of our solar system

  16. Explore the possibility of life in universe
    Assessment Strategies
    participating in discussion activity
    completing lab projects
    Criteria
    determine characteristics that all life must share
    determine characteristics that may indicate intelligence
    explore possible methods to scientifically search for life in our solar system
    explore possible methods to scientifically search for life in universe
    assess the issues or problems that scientists may encounter in the search for extra terrestrial life
    evaluate the worthiness of the search for extra terrestrial life