AST R101L, Section #72516                          Fall 2008

Dr. Gary Goodman                                          W 7:00pm – 9:50pm LS-1

 

 

Syllabus

 

Date Moon	Lecture / Lab Work 7:00 – 8:30	Observing / Lab Work 8:30 – 9:50
Aug. 20 Waning Gibbous	Preparation.  Introduction.  Syllabus, Materials, Field Trip release forms.  Critical Thinking Exercise.	Math Skills Review. Fractions, percent, scientific notation.  Using a calculator, elementary algebra, units, area and volume.
27 Waning Crescent	Math Skills Review. Questions and answers.	Observing.  Introductory Observing Activity: Fall Skies.  Observe Jupiter and record its position.
Sep. 3 Waxing Crescent	Sky Motion.  Using a Planisphere.  Diurnal and seasonal motion, ecliptic, North Star, Planisphere Activity (Indoors)	Observing.  Planisphere Activity (Outdoors).  Learning constellations.  Measure the apparent size of Jupiter.
10 Waxing Gibbous	Star Atlas: Celestial Coordinates.  The celestial sphere, celestial coordinates, magnitude system, using a star atlas.  Deep sky objects.  Star Atlas Activity.
17 Waning Gibbous	The Seasons.  Tilt of Earth’s axis relative to ecliptic is the cause of the seasons.  The Seasons Activity.
24 Waning Crescent	Optics and Telescopes.  Telescopes, Mountings, and Accessories.  All about telescopes.  Telescopes, Mountings, and Accessories Activity.	Using a Telescope.  Collimation of Newtonian reflectors, aligning the finder, determining direction through a telescope.
Oct. 1 Waxing Crescent	Using a Telescope - continued.  Telescope parameters and formulas.  Keeping an Observing Log.	Observing.    Observing with a Telescope Activity – Autumn.
8 1st Qtr	Optics: Refraction and Reflection Lenses / Making a Telescope Activity. Preparation for Griffith Observatory Field Trip.
15 Full	Griffith Observatory Field Trip Griffith Park, Los Angeles
22 3rd Qtr	Observe Solar Eclipse on Jupiter.  Solar System.  Angle, Size, and Distance.  Parallax and Introduction to Statistics Activity.  Determine distance from Earth model to Moon model.  Elementary statistics: mean, standard deviation, estimation of errors.
29 New	Kepler’s Laws and the Scale of the Solar System.  The Scale of the Solar System and the Distance to the Planets Activity.
Nov. 5 1st Qtr	Diameter of a Planet Activity.	Solar Rotation Activity.
12 Full	Diameter and Distance to the Moon Using Eclipse Pictures Activity. Preparation for Field Trip.  Logistics: location, time, & responsibilities.
19 3rd Qtr	Observing.  Local Field Trip Observe, record, describe, and sketch deep sky objects on Telescope Observing Log.
26 New	Radiation and Stellar Classification.  Spectroscopy.  Spectroscopy Activity.  Observe gas discharge tube emission lines and identify gases.
	1st Rain date for Local Field Trip
Dec. 3 Waxing Crescent	Thermal Radiation and Stellar Classification Activity.  Plot Stars on H – R diagram.  Determine stellar sizes.
	2nd Rain date for Local Field Trip
10 Waxing Gibbous	Stellar Distances. Spectroscopic Parallax Activity. Turn in Observing Logs
17 Who Cares	FINAL EXAM (Star Atlas, Planisphere, and 4² ´ 6² card allowed).	We go to Channel Islands Toppers for pizza!

 

SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE

Based on Weather and Observing Conditions

 

 

 

NOTE: If you have a specific physical, psychological, or learning disability and require accommodations please let me know ASAP so your learning needs may be appropriately met.  You will also be asked to provide information to document your disability to the Educational Assistance Center (EAC) office.  The EAC is located in the Student Services Building across the street from the cafeteria.  If you feel you need an assessment to determine whether you have a learning disability, please stop by the EAC office or call 986-5830.

Course Requirements

 

This laboratory course reinforces some of the principles studied in the Astronomy 101 lecture course and emphasizes scientific methodology.  Students will obtain hands-on experience with telescopes, star charts, and spectroscopes.  Observations are made on the moon, planets, stars and deep-sky objects.  Students will use mathematics through the level of elementary algebra and geometry to draw conclusions from their observations.

 

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Gary Goodman

Office Hours: Contact by email or phone

Email: garygoodman@vcccd.net

Telephone: (805) 271-9466 (evenings)

 

TEXT and MATERIALS

Bring ALL of your books, materials and observing equipment to EVERY class, as they will ALWAYS be used. The required materials are:

·        Astronomy Laboratory Workbook 6^th edition

·        Edmund MAG 5 Star Atlas

·        Night Sky Planisphere

·        Scientific Calculator (Cell phone and other basic calculators will not suffice.)

·        Red Flashlight

·        Clipboard and Paper – recommend a plastic sheet protector for dew protection

·        #1B Drawing Pencil and Soft Eraser

 

WEB SITE

You can check your in-progress grade on web at http://users.ez2.net/goodman/ast101

 

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance and participation are required to pass this course.  You will be credited for class participation in addition to homework.

 

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are an integral part of this course, and you are expected to attend.  Attendance at field trips counts towards your grade.  If you cannot attend, you may substitute special assignments, such writing a report on a topic approved in advance.  The due date will be determined by the nature of the assignment.

 

OBSERVING LOG

You will keep a Telescope Observing Log of your observations.  Your log sheets will be graded on readability, completeness, accuracy, and detail.

 

GRADES will be based on the following.

Participation & Exercises   60%

Griffith Obs. Field Trip        5%

Local Field Trip                   5%

Observing Log                  10%

Final Exam.                       20%

 

EXTRA CREDIT

Extra credit to the amount of 5% can be earned by attending astronomy meetings or star parties.  See Extra Credit handout.

 

GRADE SCALE       80 – 100% = A;  70 – 80% = B;  60 –  70% = C;  50 – 60% = D

 

MATHEMATICS

Graphs and formulas will be utilized to record and interpret data.  Proportions, units, and basic algebra will be taught and used in this class.  Students should bring a scientific calculator or be proficient at doing math in their head.

 

WEATHER

When the weather is clear, the class will often spend half the time outdoors observing.  The temperature will be cold and there may be some wind.  It is up to you to prepare for this by bringing warm clothing to every class meeting.  Suggestions include sweater, heavy jacket, gloves and wool cap or hat (much of the body heat loss will be from your head!).