© Sierra College Astronomy Department1 Astronomy 2 Introduction to Planetary Systems COURSE OVERVIEW, GOALS & OBJECTIVES

© Sierra College Astronomy Department© Sierra College Astronomy Department 11

Astronomy 2Introduction to Planetary Systems

COURSE OVERVIEW,COURSE OVERVIEW,GOALS & OBJECTIVESGOALS & OBJECTIVES


Course Overview

Student Handbook (Student Handbook (Current Acedemic Year’s EditionCurrent Acedemic Year’s Edition)) ““Syllabus” and “Syllabus Supplement”Syllabus” and “Syllabus Supplement” ““Schedule of Activities”Schedule of Activities” All Third-Hour ActivitiesAll Third-Hour Activities Other Informative DocumentsOther Informative Documents

Pick Up Handouts in ClassPick Up Handouts in Class Web Site: Web Site: http://astronomy.sierracollege.edu/

Nearly all course materials are on the Astro 2 web pageNearly all course materials are on the Astro 2 web page PowerPoint Lecture Notes and GradebookPowerPoint Lecture Notes and Gradebook


Course Overview

BlackBoardBlackBoard Enhancements (Some Instructors) Enhancements (Some Instructors) Discussion BoardDiscussion Board AnnouncementsAnnouncements

Planetarium HallwayPlanetarium Hallway Bulletin BoardsBulletin Boards Computer Kiosk – Astronomy Students Have First PriorityComputer Kiosk – Astronomy Students Have First Priority

MasteringAstronomyMasteringAstronomy Web Site Web Site http://www.masteringastronomy.comhttp://www.masteringastronomy.com All Homework Assignments Done HereAll Homework Assignments Done Here


Course Overview: Some Facts

Course consists of two hours of lecture and one Course consists of two hours of lecture and one “third-hour” (which “third-hour” (which does notdoes not count as lab credit) count as lab credit)

Lecture instructor and third-hour instructor may not Lecture instructor and third-hour instructor may not be the same. Your lecture instructor is your be the same. Your lecture instructor is your instructor of record (responsible for your grade).instructor of record (responsible for your grade).

Office hours and other forms of communicationOffice hours and other forms of communication Adding, dropping, and important related deadlinesAdding, dropping, and important related deadlines


Course Overview: Third-Hour

Third-Hour is held in Third-Hour is held in ST-2, which lies on the ST-2, which lies on the Dietrich Theatre side of Dietrich Theatre side of Sewell HallSewell Hall

Go to the 3Go to the 3rdrd hour you hour you signed up for starting the signed up for starting the first week of classesfirst week of classes

ST-2ST-2


Course Overview: Green Card

AttendanceAttendance While attendance in being taken, please complete the While attendance in being taken, please complete the

Green CardGreen Card

Your Astronomy 2 ID #Your Astronomy 2 ID # Located in upper left corner of the Located in upper left corner of the Green CardGreen Card It is not your Student ID#, nor is it your SSN, nor is it the same as It is not your Student ID#, nor is it your SSN, nor is it the same as

any other Astronomy ID# you may receive in another course.any other Astronomy ID# you may receive in another course. Use it on allUse it on all assignments and correspondence with instructor assignments and correspondence with instructor


Course Overview: Materials

Required Course MaterialsRequired Course Materials Text: Text: The Cosmic Perspective – The Solar System,The Cosmic Perspective – The Solar System, 7 7thth

Edition, by Bennett et alEdition, by Bennett et al ““Student Access Kit” for Student Access Kit” for MasteringAstronomyMasteringAstronomy Astronomy 2 Student HandbookAstronomy 2 Student Handbook ( (current academic current academic

year’s editionyear’s edition)) Constellation Charts (SC-001, SC-002) and the Constellation Charts (SC-001, SC-002) and the current current

year’syear’s Skygazer’s AlmanacSkygazer’s Almanac Recommended Course MaterialsRecommended Course Materials

The Night SkyThe Night Sky planisphere for 30°-40° planisphere for 30°-40° AstronomyAstronomy Quick Study Guide Quick Study Guide


Overview: Conduct and Safety

General Instructor Expectations of StudentsGeneral Instructor Expectations of Students BehaviorBehavior EffortEffort

Student Expectations of InstructorStudent Expectations of Instructor Quality of PresentationQuality of Presentation FairnessFairness

Health and SafetyHealth and Safety


Overview: Grades

Grades – See “Grading and Attendance” and Grades – See “Grading and Attendance” and “Policies and Procedures” sections in “Policies and Procedures” sections in SyllabusSyllabus for for detailsdetails PointsPoints

• 500 “Assigned” Points:500 “Assigned” Points: Exams (100-point two-part midterm and 110-point three-part finalExams (100-point two-part midterm and 110-point three-part final Quizzes (30-point Sky Quiz, 13 @ 5-points each CPS/in-class Quizzes (30-point Sky Quiz, 13 @ 5-points each CPS/in-class

quiz)quiz) Homework (13 @ 10 points each) and Third-Hours (13 @ 5 points Homework (13 @ 10 points each) and Third-Hours (13 @ 5 points

each)each)• Extra Credit and Bonus PointsExtra Credit and Bonus Points

Grading follows standard 90% and above for an A, 80-Grading follows standard 90% and above for an A, 80-89.9% for a B, etc.89.9% for a B, etc.


Overview – Schedule Details

General Schedule of ActivitiesGeneral Schedule of Activities Consult daily to be sure you are on taskConsult daily to be sure you are on task Pay particular attention to the deadlinesPay particular attention to the deadlines Note: First week there are no assignments dueNote: First week there are no assignments due Homework is done on the Homework is done on the

MasteringAstronomyMasteringAstronomy web site – there is web site – there is nothing to turn innothing to turn in

Third-Hour assignments are done and Third-Hour assignments are done and turned in within the section you are turned in within the section you are assignedassigned

Extra credit is turned into the “White Box”Extra credit is turned into the “White Box”


Overview – The Secrets

““Secrets” to Success (For a grade of B or A)Secrets” to Success (For a grade of B or A) Pay attention to deadlines.Pay attention to deadlines. Do assigned reading (fast) before the first lecture of the week.Do assigned reading (fast) before the first lecture of the week. Read homework questions before the first lecture of the week.Read homework questions before the first lecture of the week. Attend lectures with Attend lectures with PowerPointPowerPoint lecture notes from the lecture notes from the

Astronomy 2 Student HandbookAstronomy 2 Student Handbook.. Work in groups.Work in groups. Do not wait to the last minute to prepare for exams.Do not wait to the last minute to prepare for exams. Do some extra credit.Do some extra credit. Ask questions.Ask questions.

Read “Guide to the First Two Weeks of Class”Read “Guide to the First Two Weeks of Class”


Goals

Acquire An Appreciation of Our Celestial Acquire An Appreciation of Our Celestial EnvironmentEnvironment

Develop the Needed Skills to Interpret the Develop the Needed Skills to Interpret the Observed SkyObserved Sky

Gain an Understanding of Astronomers’ Gain an Understanding of Astronomers’ Role in Acquiring Information and Role in Acquiring Information and Formulating Theories About the UniverseFormulating Theories About the Universe


Objectives

General Introductory TopicsGeneral Introductory Topics The Celestial Sphere - Equator and PolesThe Celestial Sphere - Equator and Poles Ecliptic and ZodiacEcliptic and Zodiac Seasons, Eclipses, and Moon PhasesSeasons, Eclipses, and Moon Phases

Contributions from Past AstronomersContributions from Past Astronomers Kinematics and DynamicsKinematics and Dynamics

Laws of MotionLaws of Motion Motion Under Influence of GravityMotion Under Influence of Gravity Precession and TidesPrecession and Tides


Objectives

Basic Principles of Light and AtomsBasic Principles of Light and Atoms Nature of LightNature of Light Structure of the Atom and NucleusStructure of the Atom and Nucleus SpectraSpectra Thermal ProcessesThermal Processes IonizationIonization Doppler ShiftsDoppler Shifts

TelescopesTelescopes


Objectives

Comparative PlanetologyComparative Planetology Interiors – Structure and CompositionInteriors – Structure and Composition Surfaces – Dynamics and evolutionSurfaces – Dynamics and evolution Atmospheres, Ionospheres, and MagnetospheresAtmospheres, Ionospheres, and Magnetospheres Clues to FormationClues to Formation


Objectives

EarthEarth Interior StructureInterior Structure Plate TectonicsPlate Tectonics Origin of the AtmosphereOrigin of the Atmosphere Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect The Ozone LayerThe Ozone Layer PrecessionPrecession


Objectives

MoonMoon Surface FeaturesSurface Features Interior StructureInterior Structure OriginOrigin

The Solar SystemThe Solar System Planets and Dwarf PlanetsPlanets and Dwarf Planets Moons and RingsMoons and Rings Solar System Debris – Asteroids, Comets, MeteoroidsSolar System Debris – Asteroids, Comets, Meteoroids The Kuiper Belt and BeyondThe Kuiper Belt and Beyond


Objectives

The SunThe Sun Size and StructureSize and Structure PhysicsPhysics Surface FeaturesSurface Features Atmospheric LayersAtmospheric Layers Solar CycleSolar Cycle


Objectives

Planetary System FormationPlanetary System Formation Ideas and TheoriesIdeas and Theories Evidence of Other Planetary SystemsEvidence of Other Planetary Systems

AstrobiologyAstrobiology What is Life?What is Life? Prospects of Life in the UniverseProspects of Life in the Universe


Any Questions?