ASTRONOMY 121 (O'CONNELL) FALL 2007

INTRODUCTION TO THE SKY AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM

The dates below represent the approximate start of each topic and reading assignment. Assignments are given in brackets and refer to chapters in Foundations of Astronomy by Michael Seeds (9th ed). Special (outside of regular class-time) review sessions before each exam will be scheduled later.

9/03: Introduction. Scientific discovery. Astronomy as a science. Scale of the universe in space and time. The night sky. Prehistoric astronomy. Solar and lunar eclipses. Mayan astronomy. [CH 1, 2, 3, 4.1; Supplement I]
9/19: Discovery of the Solar System. Early scientific astronomy. Copernicus to Newton. Gravity and planetary orbits. Space flight. [CH 4, 5]
10/01: Tools for Modern Astronomy. Modern science and technology. The space program. The nature of light. The electromagnetic spectrum. Atomic structure. Spectroscopy. Telescopes. [Supplements II, III; Optional: CH 6, 7]
FIRST MIDTERM EXAM: Wednesday, 3 October Coverage: Introduction through EM spectrum.
[Fall Break: 8 - 9 October]
10/17: Origin of the Solar System. Inventory & systematics of the solar system. Formation of the solar system. Discovery of other planetary systems. [CH 19]
10/22: Earth and Moon. Earth as a planet. Continental drift. The Apollo missions. The lunar surface. The violent formation and early history of the Moon. [CH 20, 21.1]
10/29: The Terrestrial Planets. Mercury, Venus, Mars. Evolution of terrestrial atmospheres. The Magellan, Viking, Pathfinder, & Rover missions. [CH 21.2, 22]
SECOND MIDTERM EXAM: Monday, 12 November Coverage: spectroscopy through Mars.
11/14:Lowell's Legacy: ET's. Life on Mars? "War of the Worlds". UFO's. [War of the Worlds]
Deadline for extra credit assignments with full credit: Friday, 16 November
11/19: The Outer Planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. The Voyager, Galileo, & Cassini missions. Comet impact on Jupiter. [CH 23, 24]
Thanksgiving Recess: Wednesday-Friday, 21-23 November
11/28: Interplanetary Matter. Asteroids, comets, meteors. Collisions with Earth and biological extinctions. [CH 25]
12/5: Life in the Universe. Evolution of life on Earth. Other biospheres in the solar system? In the galaxy? Search for alien civilizations. [CH 26]
Last Constellation Quiz: Thursday, 6 December
Deadline for all extra credit assignments: Friday, 7 December, 6 PM
FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, 18 December, 2 - 5 PM

SKY EVENTS THIS SEMESTER

Eastern sky view on 9 November at about 10 PM, from Heavens Above.

• 8/28: Jupiter is well placed for evening viewing next 2 months
  
• 8/28: Full Moon
  
• 9/11: New Moon
  
• 9/23: 4 AM EDT: Autumnal Equinox (Sun crosses celestial equator moving
              south; day & night each 12 hours long)
  
• 9/26: Full Moon
  
• 9/29: Mercury at greatest distance (26^o) from sunset horizon
  
• 10/06: Moon-Saturn-Venus-Regulus conjunction in pre-dawn sky
  
• 10/11: New Moon
  
• 10/21: Orionid Meteor Shower
  
• 10/26: Full Moon
  
• 10/28: Venus at greatest distance (46^o) from sunrise horizon
  
• 11/09: New Moon
  
• 11/17: Leonid Meteor Shower
  
• 11/24: Full Moon
  
• 12/09: New Moon
  
• 12/14: Geminid Meteor Shower
  
• 12/22: Winter Solstice (Sun at most southerly location; longest night)
  
• 12/24: Mars at opposition (nearest Earth, brightest)
  
• 12/24: Full Moon
  

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