Karen Castle: M,W, F 11-12; T,Th 10-11

COURSE MATERIALS: The Visible Universe, a Student Guide, by Sasse, Searls & Martin

Skyguide, by Chartrand & Wimmer

Star Charts SC-001 and SC-002

Foundations of Astronomy, 4th edition by Seeds (expensive - talk to me first)

90% - 100% : A

80% - 90% : B

70% - 80% : C

60% - 70% : D

< 60% : F

The instructor reserves the right to lower the scale (that is, make the curve easier).

HONESTY:

OBSERVING SESSION:

Write this semester’s dates/times here:_____________________________________________

This course is designed to provide, for non-science majors, an acquaintance with the universe as it has been perceived by humankind throughout history. The emphasis will be the universe that can be observed with the unaided eye. Celestial events take place very slowly, so in order to "speed up" the events, use of the planetarium will be part of the course (i.e., don’t skip it, you will be tested). There will also be an opportunity for the student to study the telescopic universe and observe with a telescope. Near the end of the course, a description of modern astronomy including the structure and evolution of planets, stars, galaxies and the Universe will be discussed. (Astronomy 120: Elementary Astronomy presents these concepts in much greater detail.) This is a popular, general-interest course that satisfies the breadth requirements in physical science. It explores the excitement of the Universe in which we live, as well as the ways in which astronomers have developed an understanding of it.

Astronomy is based on physics, and during the semester you will come to understand many of the physical principles that govern the Universe. No formal prerequisites are required for this course, and reliance on mathematics will not be excessive. However, it is assumed that you are familiar with simple high-school algebra (including squares and square roots, scientific notation, ratios, proportions, etc). If you find these topics rusty, don’t panic; the necessary material will be covered in lecture and you can always ask me, Paul Sasse, or Karen Castle for help. It will take some effort on your part, but you will also learn much along the way. Remember that astronomy is more than star-gazing, and that we are setting out to explore a physical science together.

The lectures will attempt to present, in simple and understandable terms, explanations of how the Universe "works", as well as the interrelationships between its different components. I will not ask you to memorize lots of trivial facts, such as the exact diameter of the Sun. Of course, in every subject there is terminology to learn, and important points to remember, so having a good memory is certainly an asset. I will emphasize thinking about new concepts and being able to figure things out.

One of the major goals of this course is to help non-science majors develop a better appreciation of how science is used to explain natural phenomena. Also, I hope that your perception of, and curiosity about the world around you will become more fully developed. For example, planetary astronomy: when you go outside and look up at the daytime sky, I would like you to notice that the sky is blue, and then wonder about why it is blue. How does a rainbow form? Why does the Moon shine? Stellar: How far away are the stars if they are intrinsically as powerful as the Sun?

Some students who take Astronomy 110 are overqualified. If you have had a thorough course in high-school physics, as well as complete knowledge of geometry and algebra (with some calculus), you probably belong in Astronomy 120 because there’s more breadth and depth to it -- you will find it more engaging. This is certainly the case if you are majoring in physics, math or astronomy.

This class will consist of either three 50-minute lectures (if you meet on MWF) or two 80-minute lectures (if you meet TTh) or one 2 hour and 50 minute lecture (if you meet in the evenings) per week. There are 45 class meetings (if you meet on MWF) or 33 class meetings (if you meet on TTh) or about 16 class meetings (if you meet in the evenings). If you meet during the evening, two meetings will be devoted to exams (and there’s a final). A syllabus is included in this Guide; make sure you are present for the exams. Questions during lecture are greatly encouraged, but of course I cannot spend the entire time answering them. See Paul Sasse or Karen Castle during office hours if you have extensive comments and questions (their office doors are labeled with their names) .

The order of the course is unique. We know of no textbook that parallels this course completely. The optional textbook by Seeds is a very useful resource because it is quite readable, presents a perspective different from the workbook, and has excellent pictures. My online study guide was in fact written to accompany the Seeds text. What I say will be easier to follow if you use the study guide and handouts, especially if you do the reading before the next lecture.

Visual demonstrations, photographs of astronomical objects, and slides will often be used in class, to enthrall you and to clarify difficult concepts. For best viewing, sit close to the front of the classroom and if possible sit away from the aisle at the left side of the classroom; this will help minimize the level of gymnastic performance needed when other students (especially those coming in late) are finding a place to sit. Initially, this will be a very full class. Although the tests tend to scare people off, the student who tries all the way through the course really has nothing to fear!

For various reasons, I prefer not to write on the whiteboard extensively during my lectures. Instead, I prepare and sometimes write directly onto overhead transparencies that contain summaries of the important information, charts, etc.

Let me stress that getting a copy of the overheads from a fellow student is not a substitute for the lectures. These overheads contain mainly key phrases and diagrams, whereas my discussions are more detailed and explain what is written on the overheads. It would be a serious mistake to not attend lectures! (Aside from the likelihood that you’d be dropped from the course)

There will usually be weekly homework assignments to be handed in. Generally, when we finish the concepts on a given homework, I will tell you the homework is due the following lecture. Don’t be late! – I will not accept late homework. Staple multiple sheets together, or they might get lost. I have a stapler in class for this purpose. Write your name and section number at the top of the first sheet. For full credit, always show your work and explain how you got your answer.

The homework assignments are included at the back of this Guide. The solutions will be posted on the blue cabinet doors in room SC 601 as well as Paul Sasse’s office door, SC 312. I will not have time to make extensive written comments or, perhaps, grade all the problems on your individual papers, so be sure to check the solutions if you have questions.

You may discuss the assigned homework problems with your peers, but please turn in your own hand-written solutions, with questions answered in your own way. I will drop the lowest of your homework scores, so don’t panic if you miss one assignment. The homework on material covered the last week of class will not be turned in or graded, but you are urged to read and answer the questions, as this will help you prepare for being tested on the material. Study groups are very useful, especially for test preparation, and I can be persuaded to give a review session prior to test 2 and the final.

After examining your corrected homeworks, you might get the impression that a given problem was graded harshly or inconsistently. Let me make a few comments to put things in perspective. Each homework assignment is worth between 1 and 2 % of your entire grade. Thus, each "homework point" corresponds to a very tiny amount! Missing a few points here and there is not going to make much of a difference in your final grade, especially since all the other students are missing points here and there. You should not get too stressed out over homework grades. Make a conscientious effort to do all of the homework, and you will end up performing much better on the exams (which are worth a lot more). You will genuinely learn more, which (after all) is the main point of taking the course.

Each midterm exam will consist of multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, diagrams, and occasional short essay questions. You will need a #2 pencil (bring a couple, with an eraser) and a SCAN-TRON form 2052 (available in many bookstores, including DVC’s).

There are sample exam questions in this Guide for each of the exams (and answers near the back), so you will know roughly what to expect. The exams will be closed book and closed notes. No calculators or other mechanical devices will be allowed during the exams; all calculations are simple and can be worked out on the exam booklet.

The final exam schedule is printed in the Schedule of Classes. The final exam schedule is set up so that unless you are taking two classes at the same time, you will not have any two finals scheduled at the same time. If you have a DIRECT conflict (i.e. another final exam at exactly the same time), see me during the last week of classes and we will work out another exam time. Note that I cannot change the date or time of your final exam unless you have a direct conflict. (Having two or three exams on the same day, but at different times, does not count as a direct conflict. It is your responsibility to take courses that do not overload you during final exam week.)

Course grades will be based on the final exam (35% of the total), two midterm exams (each worth 25%), and homework (15%). If you improve on the exams as the semester progresses, your average will increase, and I will also tend to give credit for improvement. (That is, if you are very near a borderline at the end of the semester, but you improved steadily or dramatically, I may boost your course grade up a notch.) Likewise, if you are continually coming to class late, or disturbing those around you, I may push your grade down a notch.

If a midterm exam is missed, you will receive zero credit; no make-up midterms will generally be given without a written medical excuse. For those possessing a medical excuse, the student will make up the exam by having the corresponding section of the Final Exam count towards the missed exam. For those missing a midterm exam, I would encourage going to the test assessment center (in the TE building next to Police Services) within 24 hours of the scheduled exam time. The exam will be available to be taken and we can discuss the issue of a valid excuse later, however, it will help you in the end to have attempted the exam.

Let me emphasize that in this course you will not be competing against each other in the usual sense. I do not grade on a strict curve but rather against absolute standards of achievement. If I feel everyone has worked really hard and learned a lot, then in principle everyone could pass the class with a "C" or better. By the same token, everyone could get a "C" or lower – but I seriously doubt that will happen! I do guarantee grades for the following straight scale: ł 90% = A, 80 – 90% = B, 70 – 80% = C, and 60 – 70% = D. I will reserve the right to lower the scale. If you are looking for an easy "A" you should start searching for a different course because you won’t get one here unless you have already studied astronomy or have natural talent in science.

Your final grade will be mailed by The Office of Admissions and Records within a few weeks of the end of the semester. If you wish to know your final grade before that bring a self-addressed, stamped post card or envelope to your final exam and I will mail it to you with your grade.

There will be two observation sessions (weather permitting) conducted throughout the semester at the DVC Observatory (just outside the classroom). The first observation session is an excellent chance to get some hands-on instruction in real-life constellation identification. You are welcome to bring guests along with you. Be sure to dress warmly and expect to stay for awhile to see a number of deep-sky objects.

The Astronomy and Physics Education Project at the Lawrence Hall of Science, together with Bay Area amateur astronomers, sponsors a free public viewing program called Saturday Night Stargazing. View the Moon, planets, star clusters, and other things through some of the world’s largest portable amateur telescopes! Viewing is done on Saturday evenings, 8:30 – 11:00 p.m., on the Lawrence Hall of Science plaza (weather permitting).

To find out more about celestial events each month, phone 642-5132 or 642-5133, press 1, then press 7. For a complete list of astronomy clubs, planetaria, and telescope centers in Northern California, please send a brief request with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to John Hewitt, Astronomy, Room 165, Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720.

If you have a question that can be answered or explained via email, that’s the best way to reach me outside of class hours. For in-person questions during the day, our department head, Paul Sasse, will generally be available on MWF from 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. and on TTh from 12:00 – 12:50 p.m., in his office, SC 312. Our other full-time astronomy professor, Karen Castle, will generally be available on MWF from 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. and on TTh from 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. Her office is right next door to Paul Sasse’s. If necessary, you can make an appointment for a different time with Paul Sasse, by phoning him (685-1230 x465), or by sending him e-mail (psasse@ dvc.edu). Discussions concerning astronomical concepts and course material are encouraged. I would urge you to read this Guide carefully if you have questions concerning course structure, grades, etc. before asking me.

Good luck, and I hope you enjoy Astronomy 110!

Heather Preston

Section 2, TTh 8 – 9:30 a.m.

Section 4, TTh 9:30 – 11 a.m.

Section 6, MWF 11 – 12 p.m.

Section 7, MWF 12 – 1 p.m.

Section 9, MWF 1 – 2 p.m.

Section 82, T 7 – 10 p.m.

Fundamental concepts in Astronomy and observational techniques including selected mathematical concepts used in developing understanding of celestial motions and coordinate systems and their importance to humanity. The planetarium sky is a major learning tool.

Recommendations: Math 110 or equivalent and that the student be eligible for English 122.

Astronomy 110 is a 3 unit letter grade only course.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To be able to look at the sky with appreciation and understanding of things observed.

2. Recognize stars and star groupings.

4. To see how the analysis of basic observations and two conflicting assumptions can lead

to two different models of the universe.

1. The celestial sphere

A. terminology

B. constellations and asterisms

C. angular measurement

D. the winter sky

E. the summer sky

F. the horizon coordinate system

G. celestial coordinates

H. observations of stellar motion

2. Motions relative to the celestial sphere

A. observations of the sun

B. the zodiac

C. modern time and calendars

D. astronomy or astrology

E. observations of the moon

F. recognition of the irregular motion of the moon

G. lunar and solar eclipses

H. recognition of the irregular and retrograde motion of the planets

3. Early history of scientific thought

A. early concepts of the heavens

B. contribution of Aristotle

C. contribution of Aristarchus

D. contribution of Eratosthenes

E. contribution of Hipparchus

F. contribution of Ptolemy

G. the dark ages

H. contributions of Copernicus

I. contributions of Brahe

J. contributions of Kepler

K. the applications of the laws of orbital motion

4. The great emancipators and their contributions to motion

A. Aristotle's thoughts about motion

B. contributions of Galileo

C. contributions of Newton

D. the earth and proof of its motion

5. Telescopic Astronomy

A. the solar system

1. meteors, meteoroids, and meteorites; aurorae

2. the moon

3. the sun

4. the planets, their satellites and asteroids

5. comets and asteroids

B. Among the stars

1. stars - classification, motion and systems

2. nebulae

3. evolution

C. Galaxies

1. classification

2. physical characteristics

D. The universe

1. cosmology

GRADING:

There will be two exams and a final. Exam I will cover Study Guide sections 1 to 2.D. Exam II will cover sections 2.D, 3 and 4. These two exams are each worth 25% of your grade. The Final Exam will cover sections 1 – 5 (extra emphasis on 5) and will be worth 35% of your grade. The remaining 15% of your grade will be determined by your homework assignments. Exams are to be taken on the date scheduled. NO MAKEUPS will be given unless arrangements have been made prior to the date of the exam. Students missing an exam prior to the Final Exam, with a signed medical excuse, will make up the exam by having the corresponding section of the Final Exam count towards the missed exam.

Ch.1: Scale of the Cosmos pp. 2 - 7

The stars (constellations, names, brightness) pp. 10 - 13

The celestial sphere; Sec. 2-2

Model of the sky, reference marks pp. 14 -17

Angles on the sky pp. 18 - 19

The motion of the sun; Sec 2-3

The ecliptic pp. 20 - 22

The seasons (equinoxes, solstices) pp. 22 - 24

Precession of the equinoxes pp. 19 - 20

Ch.3: Lunar phases, tides and eclipses

Motion, phases of the moon; Sec. 3-1 pp. 33 - 36

Lunar eclipses; Sec. 3-3 pp. 38 - 42

Solar eclipses; Sec. 3-4 pp. 42 - 46

Predicting Eclipses pp. 46 - 49

The tides; Sec. 3-2 pp. 36 - 38

The motion of the planets; Sec. 2-4 pp. 24 - 26

Roots of Astronomy; Sec. 4-1

Archaeoastronomy pp. 53 - 56

Astronomy of Greece pp. 56 - 60

The Copernican Revolution; Sec. 4-2

Copernicus pp. 61 - 63

The Puzzle of Planetary motion; Sec. 4-3

Tycho pp. 68 - 70

Kepler pp. 70 - 71

Kepler’s 3 laws of planetary motion pp. 71 - 73

Galileo pp. 63 - 67

Galileo and motion; Sec. 5-1 pp. 77 - 80

Newton and his laws of motion pp. 80 - 81

Gravity pp. 81 - 83

Orbital motion pp. 83 - 84

Kepler’s laws re-examined p. 87

Unit 5 of Study Guide

Origin of the solar system; Sec. 20-1 pp. 403 - 410

Summary of solar system objects; Sec. 20-2

(asteroids, comets, meteors, and age) pp. 410 - 417

Aurorae pp. 432 - 433

The moon; Sec. 22-1 pp. 444 - 457

Ch.8: The sun pp. 147 - 164

Ch. 20 - 25: The planets

(in much greater detail than we need) pp. 458 - 547

Ch. 26: Meteorites, Asteroids and Comets pp. 550 - 576

Ch. 9: Measuring Stars

parallax pp. 169 - 171

proper motion pp. 171 - 172

magnitude system pp. 172 - 173

The H-R diagram pp. 175 - 176

luminosity classes of stars pp. 176 - 179

Ch. 10: Binary stars pp. 186 - 201

Variable stars; Sec. 13-4 pp. 258 - 262

Ch. 11: The Interstellar Medium

Nebulae pp. 204 - 208

Star Formation pp. 220 - 223

Ch. 13: Stellar Evolution

main-sequence stars pp. 242 - 253

Ch. 14: Deaths of stars pp. 265 - 282

Ch. 15: Neutron stars and Black Holes pp. 285 - 302

Star clusters; Sec. 13-3 pp. 253 - 258

Ch. 16: The Milky Way Galaxy

Size, shape, components pp. 306 - 312

Ch. 17: Galaxies

Classification pp. 331 - 337

Ch. 19: Cosmology

Structure and expansion; Sec. 19-1 pp. 379 - 385

The Big Bang; Sec. 19-2 pp. 385 - 394

Similar units in the online study guide may be used, and it can also be used when you want questions answered about more advanced material.

Unit 1 of Study Guide

Horizon Coordinates pp. 10-11.

North Circumpolar Stars pp. 76-77

Constellations pp. 69, 74-75.

Seasonal Star Charts pp. 78-111.

Constellation Charts pp. 112-199.

The Celestial Sphere pp. 12-13

Using Star Charts and Catalogs pp. 72-73.

Celestial Coordinates pp. 14-15.

Unit 2 of Study Guide

Precession pp. 26-27.

Time and the Sky pp. 16-17.

Sundials, The Equation of Time pp. 20-23.

The Seasons pp. 24-25

The Moon pp. 210-211.

Lunar phases pp. 218-219.

Solar Eclipses pp. 204-209.

Lunar Eclipses pp. 224-225

Tides pp. 220-221

Planetary Phenomena pp. 248-249.

Unit 3 of Study Guide

Terrestrial Coordinates pp. 8-9.

Orbits & Kepler’s Laws pp. 246-247.

Unit 5 of Study Guide

The Solar System pp. 200-201.

Meteors, Meteroids, and Meteorites pp. 226-227

Meteor showers pp. 228-229

Aurorae pp. 42-43.

Lunar Features pp. 212-217.

The Sun pp. 202-203.

The Planets pp. 230-241.

Asteroids pp. 242-243.

Comets pp. 244-245

Parallax and Units of Distance pp. 26-27.

Magnitude Scale pp. 46-47.

Brightest Stars pp. 66-68

Multiple Stars pp. 52-55

Variable Stars pp. 56-57.

Star Color and Spectral Type pp. 48-49.

Nebulae pp. 62-63.

Stellar Evolution pp. 50-51.

Open Star Clusters pp. 58-59.

Globular Star Clusters pp. 60-61.

Galaxies pp. 64-65.