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Astronomy

Course Syllabus

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Course Syllabus for Astronomy

Astronomy Syllabus: Homework, Reading Assignments, Discussion Topics, and Labs

This syllabus is for the 2022-2023 academic year. It will be updated for the 2024-2025 year in June, 2024.

Use the Links in the Homework column to find your homework assignment. Homework is usually due on the date given, unless otherwise stated in the assignment.

WeekDateChapterTopicLab
1Sep 6, 2022HW00Introduction to Course: Methods and online ResourcesLab Reports
2Sep 13, 2022HW011.1-8Astronomy and the UniverseObserving Techniques
3Sep 20, 2022HW02A2.1-4Knowing the HeavensObserving Constellations
4Sep 27, 2022HW02B2.5-8Finding your way around the yearObserving Using Coordinate Systems
5Oct 4, 2022HW033.1-6Eclipses and the Motion of the MoonObserving the Moon
6Oct 11, 2022HW04A4.1-4GravitationPlanetary Orbits
7Oct 18, 2022HW04B4.5-8Derivation of Kepler's LawsDetermining the Mass of Jupiter
8Oct 25, 2022HW05A5:1-4The Wave Nature of LightSpectroscopy
9Nov 1, 2022HW05B5.5-9The Particle Nature of LightRefraction and Reflection
10Nov 8, 2022HW066Optics and the TelescopeTelescopes
11Nov 15, 2022HW077Comparative Planetology 1Observing Mercury and Venus
12Nov 22, 2022HW088Comparative Planetology 2Observing Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn
13Nov 29, 2022HW099The Living Earth: Geology [Terrestrial Plate Tectonics and Atmosphere]Earth's Rocks
14Dec 6, 2022HW1010Our Barren Moon [Surface Features w/o plate tectonics or erosion]Crater Formation
15Dec 13, 2022HW1111Mercury, Venus, and Mars [Planetary core structures and planetary development]The Greenhouse Effect
16Dec 20, 2022CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
Dec 27, 2022NEW YEAR's HOLIDAY
Jan 3, 2023Focus on Terrestrial Planets
17Jan 10, 2023HW1212Jupiter and Saturn [Atmospheres II]Differential Rotation
18Jan 17, 2023HW1313Jupiter and Saturn's Satellites: Moons, Rings and Tidal ForcesIce Under Pressure
19Jan 24, 2023HW1414Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and the Kuiper Belt; Roche LimitObservation of Jupiter's Moons
20Jan 31, 2023HW1515Vagabonds of the Solar SystemComet Observations
21Feb 7, 2023Project Presentations, Review, and ExamNO LAB
22Feb 14, 2023Exam Results Overview
23Feb 21, 2023HW1616Our Star, the SunSunspots
24Feb 28, 2023HW1717The Nature of the StarsStellar Motions and Distances
25Mar 7, 2023HW1818The Birth of StarsStellar Spectra
26Mar 14, 2023HW1919Stellar Evolution: On and After the Main SequenceStellar Evolution
27Mar 21, 2023What we can learn from starlight
28Mar 28, 2023HW2020Stellar Evolution: Death of StarsVariable stars - Period Luminosity Relationships
29Apr 4, 2023Holy Week Holiday
30Apr 11, 2023HW2121Black HolesBinary Stars
Apr 18, 2023HW2222Our GalaxyObserving HII Regions
31Apr 25, 2023HW2323GalaxiesClassifying Normal Galaxies
32May 2, 2023HW2424Quasars and Active GalaxiesClassifying Active Galaxies
33May 9, 2023HW2525CosmologyHubble's Law
34May 16, 2023HW2626The Early UniverseThe Curvature of Space
35May 23, 2023HW2727The Search for Extra Terrestrial LifeThe Search For ExoPlanets
36May 30, 2023Review, and Exam
Jun 6, 2023

Observations Planning Calendar