ASTR 130 - Introduction to Astronomy (Lecture Only)

3 Credit: (3 lecture, 0 lab, 0 clinical) 3 Contact Hours:

NOTE: One or more required field trips may take place outside of class time.

 
Semesters Offered: Fall Semester

Course Goals/ Objectives/ Competencies:
Goal 1: Incorporate scientific methodologies into investigations and predictions.

1. Differentiate scientific statements, hypotheses, models, and theories.
2. Distinguish whether given statements are scientific in nature or pseudoscientific (for example, distinguish astronomy from astrology.)
3. Comprehend the point of the scientific method in testing and refining hypotheses to explain the world around us.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of scientific notations and approximations to orders of magnitude.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in conversion of units.

Goal 2: Generalize the use of coordinate systems and key sky markers to the celestial sphere.

1. Explain why astronomers use two primary coordinate systems.
2. Describe the difference between the two primary Astronomical Coordinate Systems (Local-Horizon and Equatorial).
3. Determine the Local-Horizon coordinates of an object in the sky for different locations on Earth from the object’s Right Ascension and Declination coordinates.
4. Correctly identify and name 20 Constellations and Asterisms visible from Sidney, MI by the visible pattern.
5. Correctly identify 10 significant or bright stars visible from Sidney, MI.
6. Locate the ecliptic plane, and visible planets on the celestial sphere.

Goal 3: Incorporate the rules of planetary motion to make predictions.

1. Explain the causes of the Seasons.
2. Explain the causes of the Phases of the Moon.
3. Predict Moon phases based on the relative locations of the Sun, Earth and Moon.
4. Predict the rising and setting times for various Lunar Phases based on the relative locations of the Sun, Moon, Earth and the location of an observer on Earth.
5. Explain the phenomena of Solar and Lunar Eclipses.
6. Categorize a Solar Eclipse as either Partial, Total or Annular.
7. Categorize a Lunar Eclipse as either Partial, Penumbral or Total.
8. Describe the contributions made to the science of Astronomy by several important figures including Ptolemy, Nicholas Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, Galileo and Isaac Newton
9. Apply the use of Kepler’s three laws to planetary motion.

Goal 4: Summarize the composition and structure of the solar system.

1. Describe the overall structure of the Solar System.
2. Explain the process of solar system formation using the concepts of gravity, conservation of angular momentum and condensation.
3. Categorize a planet as either Terrestrial or Jovian, given some of its major characteristics.
4. Cite the primary attributes of Terrestrial Planets, Jovian Planets, Minor Planets, Asteroids, and Comets.
5. Distinguish Meteoroids, Meteors and Meteorites.

Goal 5: Formulate hypotheses of visible objects based on the properties of light.

1. Describe the various characteristics of light waves including terms such as wavelength, frequency, energy, and amplitude.
2. Describe the concepts of Reflection and Refraction.
3. Explain why lenses and mirrors are used in telescopes.
4. Identify the important optical components of a Refractor Telescope and a Reflector Telescope.
5. Differentiate the use and limitations of Refractor and Reflector Telescopes.
6. Explain the application of the Doppler shift in Astronomy.
7. Explain how atoms absorb and emit light.
8. Distinguish the three basic types of spectra (Thermal, Absorption, and Emission).

Goal 6: Summarize the composition, structure, and life cycle of stars.

1. Describe the basic structure of the atom and how it is responsible, through Nuclear Fusion, for powering the Sun.
2. Name the various layers of the Sun from the core to the corona and solar wind.
3. Explain, in general terms, the methods used for stellar classification.
4. Relate the temperature and size of a star to its luminosity.
5. Identify a star’s type based on its location on the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram.
6. Describe the process of stellar evolution and the role that mass plays in the life cycle of a star.
7. Explain how Neutron Stars, Pulsars, and Black Holes are formed.

Goal 7: Analyze the history of the universe based on observations of its large-scale structure.

1. Discuss the scale of the Milky Way Galaxy and compare it to that of the Solar System.
2. Categorize a galaxy as either Spiral, Barred-Spiral, Elliptical or Irregular.
3. Name the theory that explains the Origin, Structure and Fate of the Universe.
4. Cite the major epochs in the evolution of the Universe.
5. Interpret stellar motion plots to infer the structure of extra-solar planetary systems.
6. Differentiate the various major methods used to detect extra-solar planets.
7. Employ the Drake Equation to estimate the number of communicative civilizations in our galaxy.