Syllabus — General Astronomy Lab

Dr. Eric Wegryn

Textbook: none; lab project hand-outs given as needed.

General description and content: This is an introductory lab course in astronomy. We will be undertaking scientific investigations, and as math is an integral part of science, some basic mathematics (simple arithmetic, algebra and geometry) will be used to enhance understanding of the measurements and physical laws, which characterize our planet, our moon, the sun, other planets and other stars.

Attendance and student participation: While attendance will not be recorded, participation in the lab sessions is required. If you must miss a class session, it is your responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor to make up the work and be caught up with the class for the next session. As this course meets only once a week, repeated absences are unacceptable. In addition, 5% of your course grade will be based on class participation. This includes asking questions, participating in discussions and any activities done in class.

Required supplies: Each student will require the following: a logbook for observations; a protractor, ruler, and weighted string (plumb bob); an accurate timepiece; a calculator. In addition, each student will need to select one or two outdoor observing sites, where they will be able to see the sky unobscured, with a clear horizon, and something to serve as a gnomon (shadow maker). Some way of defining a North-South line will also be needed. This will be explained in the first class session, and if you have or anticipate any difficulties with these requirements, please speak to the instructor outside of class.

Work assignments: The primary product of your work will be lab reports and worksheets. There will be two lab report formats, a full report and a short report, which will be defined in class. There will be a lab report or worksheet due most weeks, but not all. In addition to weekly in class assignments, there will be two long-term observing projects that will require periodic outdoor observations of the Sun, Moon, and planets throughout the term.

Examinations and Quizzes: There will be one midterm exam, worth 10% of your grade, and a final exam, scheduled for 13 Dec 2007, worth 20%. Each exam will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, short answer, simple math, and diagram labeling exercises. The final exam will be cumulative, and may include a practical observing exercise. There will also be occasional short quizzes; together they will constitute 15% of your grade.

Grading: Final grades will be based upon the total of each student's scores, as follows: 50% lab reports and worksheets, 45% exams and quizzes, 5% participation and field work. A standard grade scale (90%+ = A, etc.) will serve as a baseline, and may be curved (to the students' benefit) if the distribution of scores indicates a lower than expected class average.

Office hours and Instructor contact: I do not have an office at Ohlone College, but I am happy to assist students outside of class. I am on campus on Tuesdays through Thursdays, available in the classroom in the hour both before and after class. In addition, I encourage email contact. My job is not just to lecture in your general direction, but to help you learn, so please let me know if what you're getting in the class session is not enough.

Course objectives: Astronomy 102: General Astronomy Lab

1) Understand and be able to use basic techniques of measurement and the scientific method, especially as applied to astronomy (with very large and small numbers).

2) Understand and be able to explain basic appearances and motions of celestial objects, using different reference frames such as local (alt-az) coordinates, and the celestial sphere model.

3) Understand and appreciate our place in the solar system, galaxy, and universe.

4) Understand and be able to describe in a qualitative way the physical principles governing the planets.

5) Understand and be able to explain the cycles of the Earth, Moon and Sun.

6) Understand how to determine your location (latitude) and directions (N, S, E, W) from the sky.

7) Understand how to determine the local time from the sun and/or moon.

8) Understand and appreciate how modern technology, most importantly spacecraft, has allowed us to learn unprecedented new information about the distant planets.

Approximate schedule of lab activities:

1) Introduction, basic observations, measurements, and coordinate systems

2) Angles lab / Intro to Moon and Sun observing projects

3) Planetary orbits

4) Seasons, Gravity

5) Solar system model

6) Telescope calibration

7) Telescope observations

8) Eclipses

9) Review - Mid-term Exam

10) Celestial navigation

11) Moon and Sun project write-ups

12) Spacecraft exploration

13) Stars

14) Telescope observations, Review for final exam