Syllabus for

PHS114 Descriptive Astronomy

 

Mission:   Rich Mountain Community College exists to provide all citizens of the Ouachita Mountain Region with exemplary educational and enrichment opportunities to improve the quality of life and standard of living.  It is in the spirit of this mission that this course is presented by the Division of Mathematics and Science.

 

Course Description:   A nonmathematical survey designed to give a general knowledge of the field of astronomy.  Topics covered include the history of astronomy, cosmology, galaxies, nebulae, stars and stellar evolution, and the solar system.

 

Rationale for the course:   By studying a body of scientific information, scientific concepts, and scientific methods, the student of astronomy develops a deeper appreciation for our physical universe as a whole and for the beautiful precision with which its components act and interact.

 

Instructor:                  James H. Lynn

                                    B.S., University of the Ozarks--1964

                                    M.S.E., Henderson State University--1966

                                    M.S., University of Arkansas--1975

                                    Currently in 44th year of teaching, the last 25 of those years at RMCC

 

Office:                        Room 207 Spencer Hall

                                    Phone:  479-394-7622-ext 1336

                                    Email: jlynn@rmcc.edu

 

Required Textbook:   Fraknoi, Andrew et. al.  Voyages Through the Universe, Media Update.  Third edition.  Belmont, CA: Thompson Learning, Inc., Brooks/Cole Division, 2006.

 

Laboratory Investigations:   Lomaga, G. et. al.  Astronomy Through Practical Investigations.  Brantingham, NY: LSW Publications, Inc., 1997.

 

Learning Goals:   Upon successful completion of PHS114 Descriptive Astronomy, the student should be able to do the following:

              Review the history of astronomy associated with the study of planetary motion.

                      Describe the methods used by astronomers to measure and classify the brightness of stars.

                      Describe the basic methods involved in determining the distances, masses, and sizes of stars.       

                 State the basic properties of electromagnetic radiation.

              State the basic characteristics of our Galaxy and compare these with the basic

                characteristics of other galaxies.

              State the characteristics of gaseous nebulae, star clusters, and variable stars.

    Explain the current theories of origin of the universe and the observational tests for these theories.

                 Explain the theories involved in stellar energy generation and stellar evolution.

    Explain the general theories of the origin and evolution of the solar system, including the theories of the origin of the moon.

    Describe the basic characteristics of the sun, planets, moons, and minor members (comets, meteoroids, asteroids) in the solar system.

              List and describe the types of information gathered by planetary probes.

              Summarize the present scientific thought concerning the existence of extraterrestrial life.

              Name and construct the hierarchy of objects in the observable universe.

    Recognize on sight the various objects (constellations, star clusters, planets, etc.) visible in the nighttime sky.

 

Class Procedures:   Classroom presentation is basically of the lecture-demonstration type.  Frequent use will be made of the equipment in the classroom’s technology center.  This will be supplemented with various scientific models, representative specimens, and numerous supplemental handouts.  Several nighttime viewing sessions are an integral part of the course.  These sessions normally will be held atop Rich Mountain.  Emphasis will be placed upon orientation to the celestial sphere, viewing of planets and some of the brighter deep sky objects, identification of constellations, and study of the lunar phases.

 

Course Requirements:   Three tests are given at convenient intervals throughout the semester.

 

Grading and Evaluation:   The final grade assignment will be based upon ¾ from lecture exams and ¼ from laboratory activities.  Grades are assigned on the basis of a standard percentage scale:

                 90    -   100      =    A

                  80    -     89      =    B

                  65    -     79      =    C

                  50    -     64      =    D

                  0      -     49      =    F

 

Attendance Requirements:  It is my belief that you cannot derive the maximum benefit from this course without being present for all lectures and laboratories.  Therefore, it is expected that you will be both regular and punctual in your attendance.  To ensure this, roll will be taken at the beginning of each class and laboratory session.  As a student, you are responsible for all material presented during lecture, whether present for the class or not.  You are also responsible for all assigned readings, both within the text or elsewhere.  Assignments are to be completed in a timely fashion, therefore all make-up work must be completed within 5 calendar days of your return following an absence.  Missed laboratory sessions will count as 1 absence and normally cannot be made up.  For further information, see “Attendance/Retention Policy” on pages 64-65 of the 2007- 2008 RMCC Catalog.  When you are officially enrolled in this course, I, as your instructor, will ultimately be charged with assigning you a final course grade. Therefore, if for any reason you find that you must drop the class, please do not just quit attending.   I urge you to go to the Office of the Registrar (Abernathy 301) and go through the official drop procedure.  Failure to do so will result in your receiving a final grade of “F” in the course.  Official withdrawal is noted by a “W” on your transcript.

 

Make-up Exam Policy:   A student who misses a scheduled examination because of an officially sanctioned college activity will be permitted to make up the test without penalty.  Others may also make up missed exams, but will be penalized 20% for each occurrence.  Any deviation from this policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

Student Conduct:   Behavior that is disruptive to an orderly educational process will not be tolerated and may result in dismissal from the class.  Readmission will be at the discretion of your instructor.  Instances of academic dishonesty, i.e., “cheating,” will be dealt with in accordance with those policies outlined in the current RMCC Student Handbook.

 

Resources, References, and Supplies:    Needed materials will be furnished.  Keeping a pair of binoculars in your car for use in our nighttime viewing sessions would be beneficial.   

 

 Additional Information:   Food and drinks are not permitted in this class.  Also, please make sure that your cell phone is turned off (or to a non-sound mode) during the class session.  Viewing sessions on Rich Mountain are considered an extension of the campus, therefore the College’s nonsmoking policy will be in effect.

 

ADA Statement:   It is the policy of RMCC to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to state and federal law.  Any student requiring special accommodations, for example in seating, placement, examinations, or access to information on the web, should contact the Vice President for Student Affairs Office located in the Abernathy Building, Room 301 (phone: 394-7622-ext. 1400).

 

Course Outline: 

           

           I.        Introduction to Observational Astronomy

         II.        Early Astronomy:  Myth and Science

                     A.    Earliest astronomers

                     B.    Early Greek astronomy

                     C.    Later Greek astronomy--the "Golden Age" of ancient astronomy

                     D.    Roman astronomy

                     E.    The Middle Ages

        III.        The Copernican Revolution

                     A.    The work of Nicholas Copernicus  (1473-1543)

                     B.    The work of Tycho Brahe  (1546-1601)

                     C.    The work of Johannes Kepler  (1571-1630)                                                         

                     D.    The work of Galileo Galilei  (1564-1642)

                     E.    The work of Isaac Newton  (1643-1727)

        IV.        Surveying the Heavens

                     A.    Distances in the solar system

                     B.    Surveying distance to stars

                     C.    Stellar motions

                     D.    Motions of the sun and stars

                     E.    Distances from stellar motions

         V.        The Light from Stars

                     A.    The electromagnetic spectrum

                     B.    Stellar magnitudes

                     C.    The "real" brightness of stars

                     D.    Variable stars

                     E.    Classification of stellar spectra

        VI.        The Realm of the Universe

                     A.    Our Milky Way Galaxy

                     B.    Galaxies and quasars

                     C.    Structure of the universe

                     D.    The "Big Bang"--Lemaitre's "Vanished brilliance"

      VII.        Stars and Stellar Evolution

                     A.    The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

                     B.    Pre-main sequence development

                     C.    Main sequence development

                     D.    Post-main sequence development

     VIII.        Our Sun:  A Garden Variety Star

                     A.    Internal composition and structure

                     B.    The solar atmosphere and associated phenomena

                     C.    Eclipses and eclipse phenomena

                     D.    Theories of solar system origin

        IX.        Debris of the Solar System

                     A.    Comets

                     B.    Meteoric materials

                     C.    Asteroids

         X.        The Planets

                     A.    The terrestrial (earth-like) group

                     B.    The jovian (Jupiter-like) group

       XI.        Earth's Moon

      XII.        Life Elsewhere in the Universe

 

 

 

 

Please turn to next page

 

                                                                                                                                                           

 

READING SYLLABUS

 

It will be your responsibility to keep up with the assigned readings.  Be prepared to monitor and adjust this schedule based upon our progress during the lecture.

 

Session #

Date

Chapter(s)

Topics

1

August 23

 

Introduction to the course and to observational astronomy

2

August 30

Prologue,1,2,16

The Copernican revolution

3

September 6

3,18,19

18th-early 20th century; period-luminosity relationship; inverse square law; astronomical units of measurement

4

September 13

24,25,26,27

Galaxies; the Milky Way galaxy; nebulae

5

September 20

4,5,28

“Big Bang” cosmology; electromagnetic spectrum; the Doppler effect

6

September 27

FIRST EXAMINATION

7

October 4

17,20

The H-R diagram; pre-main sequence development

8

October 11

21,22,23

Main sequence and post-main sequence development

9

October 18

14,15

“Our Sun: A Garden Variety Star”

10

October 25

3.7,6

Eclipses; theories of solar system formation

11

November 1

SECOND EXAMINATION

12

November 8

12,13

Comets; meteorites

13

November 15

 

Astroblemes; tektites; the Tunguska event

14

November 29

7,8,9

Asteroids; the terrestrial planets

15

December 6

10,11,29

The Jovian planets; Earth’s moon; Prospects for life elsewhere in the universe

16

December 13

THIRD EXAMINATION

                                                                                                                                                           

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

 

 

LAB SYLLABUS

 

L.S.W. Publications of Brantingham, NY, has published a series of programmed-learning laboratory activities entitled Astronomy Through Practical Investigations.  These have been widely adopted around the country for use in courses such as this.  As your instructor, I have selected from a menu of 35 investigations those that I feel are most germane to this class.  The RMCC Bookstore has packets containing these investigations along with the those implements necessary to successfully complete each module.

 

Session #

Date

Investigation # and Title

Due

1

August 23