ASTRONOMY 1210 (O'CONNELL) FALL 2012

INTRODUCTION TO THE SKY AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM

The dates below represent the approximate start of each topic and reading assignment. All dates are tentative, except for the final exam. Assignments are given in brackets; numbers refer to chapters in The Cosmic Perspective by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, and Voit (6th edition, 2010). There will be a special (outside of regular class-time) review session covering topics requested by the class before each exam (not listed).

8/28: First class meeting: Orientation
8/30: Introduction. Astronomy as a science. Scale of the universe in space and time. The night sky. Prehistoric astronomy. [CH 1, 2, 3.1; Supplement I]
9/18: Discovery of the Solar System. Early scientific astronomy. Copernicus to Newton. Gravity and planetary orbits. [CH 3, 4]
9/27: Tools for Modern Astronomy. Modern science and technology. The nature of light. The electromagnetic spectrum. Atomic structure. Spectroscopy. Telescopes. The space program and space astronomy. [Supplements II, III; Optional: CH 5, 6]
FIRST MIDTERM EXAM: Tuesday, 2 October Coverage: Introduction through EM spectrum.
[Fall Break: 8 - 9 October]
10/11: Origin of the Solar System. Inventory & systematics of the solar system. Formation of the solar system. Discovery of other planetary systems. [CH 7, 8, 13]
10/16: Earth and Moon. Earth as a planet. Earth's age, composition, interior. The Apollo missions. The lunar surface. The violent formation and early history of the Moon. [CH 9, 10]
10/25: The Terrestrial Planets. Mercury, Venus, Mars. Evolution of terrestrial atmospheres. The MESSENGER, Magellan, Viking, Pathfinder, Rover, & Curiosity missions. [CH 9, 10]
SECOND MIDTERM EXAM: Thursday, 8 November Coverage: spectroscopy through Mars.
11/13: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
11/20: The Outer Planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. The Voyager, Galileo, & Cassini missions. Comet impact on Jupiter. Kuiper Belt Objects. [CH 11, 12.3]
[Thanksgiving Break: 21 - 23 November]
11/27: Interplanetary Matter. Asteroids, comets, meteors. Collisions with Earth and biological extinctions. [CH 12]
Deadline for all extra credit assignments: Friday, 30 November, 5 PM
12/4: Life in the Universe. Evolution of life on Earth. Other biospheres in the solar system? In the galaxy? Search for alien civilizations. [CH 13, 24]
Last Constellation Quiz: Thursday, 6 December
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, 12 December 2 - 4 PM

SKY EVENTS THIS SEMESTER

Sky overhead at 10 PM on 10 November 2012; from Heavens Above.

• 8/17: New Moon
  
• 8/31: Full Moon
  
• 9/08: Moon within 1 degree of Jupiter (morning sky)
  
• 9/16: New Moon
  
• 9/22: 10:49 AM EDT. Autumnal Equinox (Sun crosses celestial equator moving
              south; day & night each 12 hours long)
  
• 9/30: Full Moon
  
• 10/03: Venus within 1/7 degree of 1st-mag star Regulus (morning sky)
  
• 10/15: New Moon
  
• 10/21: Orionid Meteor Shower
  
• 10/29: Full Moon
  
• 11/02: Moon within 1 degree of Jupiter
  
• 11/04: (Sunday, 2 AM). Standard time starts; move clocks back 1 hour
  
• 11/13: New Moon
  
• 11/13: Total eclipse of the Sun (visible from South Pacific)
  
• 11/17: Leonid Meteor Shower
  
• 11/28: Full Moon
  
• 11/28: Penumbral eclipse of Moon (visible from Alaska)
  
• 11/29: Moon within 1 degree of Jupiter
  
• 12/02: Jupiter at opposition (nearest Earth, up all night)
  
• 12/04: Mercury at greatest distance from sunrise horizon (20 deg)
  
• 12/13: New Moon
  
• 12/13: Geminid Meteor Shower
  
• 12/21: 6:12 AM EST. Winter Solstice (Sun at most southerly location; longest night)
  
• 12/25: Moon, Jupiter, 1st-mag star Aldebaran within 5 degrees
  
• 12/28: Full Moon

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