20806253Astronomy: The Solar System
Course Information
Description
An introductory astronomy course covering the sky and celestial motions, ancient astronomy, the Copernican revolution, gravity and orbits, light and astronomical instruments, and the solar system. Recommended evening observing sessions will also be included. (These are off campus meetings for star viewing with the school's binoculars and telescopes.)
Total Credits
4
Course Competencies
  1. Explain various astronomical phenomena
    Assessment Strategies
    Completing lab projects
    Participating in observing sessions
    Completing an observation journal
    Taking written test/quiz
    Criteria
    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
    Record 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 eclipses
    Describe the appearance of the eclipsed body

  2. Explain daily and annual motions in the sky
    Assessment Strategies
    Completing lab projects
    Participating in observing sessions
    Completing an observation journal
    Taking 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. monthly, annual, etc.) of the sun, moon, and planets relative to the background stars
    Explain the longer-term movement (ex. monthly, annual, etc.) of the sun, moon, and planets relative to the background stars

  3. Apply astronomical coordinates to the sky
    Assessment Strategies
    Completing lab projects
    Participating in observing sessions
    Completing an observation journal
    Taking written test/quiz
    Criteria
    Use a starfinder (planisphere)
    Use a celestial globe
    Use sky simulation software
    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 major achievements of ancient astronomy
    Assessment Strategies
    Participate in class activity
    Participate in class discussion
    Taking written test/quiz
    Criteria
    Outline the astronomies of early cultures
    Explain the contributions of the ancient Greeks to astronomy
    Explain the contributions of early cultures to the understanding of seasons
    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
    Participate in class activity
    Participate in class discussion
    Taking 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 major properties of light
    Assessment Strategies
    Completing lab projects
    Participate in class activity
    Participate in class discussion
    Taking written test/quiz
    Criteria
    List types of electromagnetic radiation (light) in order of wavelength
    Identify how to observe each type of electromagnetic radiation
    Describe the following particle properties of light: reflection and photoelectric effect
    Describe wave properties of light: reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, and Doppler effect
    Explain the relationship between light and atoms (spectroscopy)

  7. Identify the purpose of important space missions and astronomical experiments as they apply to our modern understanding of our solar system
    Assessment Strategies
    Completing lab projects
    Participate in class activity
    Participate in class discussion
    Taking written test/quiz
    Criteria
    Identify the major past solar system missions and their target worlds (Galileo, Voyager, Magellan, Viking, Mariner, Apollo…)
    Explain the major accomplishments of past missions
    Explain the Mars Exploration Program missions and their purpose (Mars Exploration Rovers, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Science Lab…
    Identify current missions and their target worlds (Messenger, Dawn, Juno, New Horizons, LRO…)
    Explain major accomplishments and/or goals of current missions

  8. Characterize the basic categories of solar system objects
    Assessment Strategies
    Participate in class discussion
    Taking written test/quiz
    Criteria
    Explain criteria for a planet
    Explain criteria for a dwarf planet
    Explain criteria for a planetary satellite
    Explain criteria for a small-solar system body
    Explain purpose for 2006 new definitions of solar system objects
    Explain controversy surrounding Pluto and why it is not a planet

  9. Describe the Sun and solar activity
    Assessment Strategies
    Completing lab projects
    Participate in class activity
    Participate in class discussion
    Taking written test/quiz
    Criteria
    Summarize the physical properties of the Sun
    Explain the process of nuclear fusion occurring in the Sun
    Explain the solar activity cycle
    Explain how solar activity cycle influences the Earth (and other planets)

  10. Explain Earth's relationship to other objects in our solar system
    Assessment Strategies
    Completing lab projects
    Participate in class activity
    Participate in class discussion
    Taking written test/quiz
    Criteria
    Explain major earth motions (rotation, revolution, and precession)
    Explain tides
    Describe Earth’s interior structure
    Explain major geological process on Earth
    Explain the structure of Earth’s atmosphere
    Explain Earth’s aurora
    Compare other solar system objects with Earth
    Contrast other solar system objects with Earth
    Model the scale of the solar system and Earth’s place in it

  11. Explain the properties of various solar system objects.
    Assessment Strategies
    Complete lab projects
    Participate in class actvity
    Participate in class discussion
    Take written test/quiz
    Criteria
    Compare the terrestrial planets
    Contrast the terrestrial planets
    Compare the jovian planets
    Contrast the jovian planets
    Compare major planetary satellites
    Contrast major planetary satellites
    Summarize properties and characteristics of dwarf planets
    Summarize properties and characteristics of asteroids
    Summarize properties of icy and rocky bodies (KBOs, TNOs…)
    Summarize properties and characteristics comets

  12. Describe the origin of our solar system
    Assessment Strategies
    Completing lab projects
    Participate in class activity
    Participate in class discussion
    Take written test/quiz
    Criteria
    Explain the nebular hypothesis
    Explain the stages of planetary formation
    Explain major stages of planetary evolution
    Explain the importance of impacts
    Compare our solar system with other planetary systems
    Contrast our solar system with other planetary systems

  13. Explore the possibility of life in our solar system
    Assessment Strategies
    Completing lab projects
    Participate in class activity
    Participate in class discussion
    Take written test/quiz
    Criteria
    Determine the characteristics that all life must share
    Explain the conditions which are favorable to life
    List the solar system bodies that are life-candidates
    Explain why these solar system bodies are life-candidates
    Explore possible methods to scientifically search for life in our solar system
    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

  14. Use various astronomical instruments (telescope, planisphere, etc.)
    Assessment Strategies
    Completing lab projects
    Participating in observing sessions
    Completing an observation journal
    Taking written test/quiz
    Criteria
    Explain the major functions of a telescope and/or binoculars)
    Focus a telescope and/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)
    Use astronomical sky simulation software (i.e. Stellarium, Starry Night)
    Use astronomical websites for data gathering (i.e. USNO Astronomical Applications, Heaven’s Above…)