AAST 111: Descriptive Astronomy
Spring 2016
Syllabus
Prerequisites: None
Credits: 4
Time, Place: M,W 6:00-8:40/ SBDG 325 or the Planetarium
Instructor:
Text:
Dr. Stelios Kapranidis
Office: 321 SBDG, Tel.: 648-6851x3466
Hours: M: 5:00-6:00, T: 2:00-3:00 and by appointment
Astronomy by John D. Fix, McGraw-Hill, Sixth Edition
Schedule:
Dates
Topics
1/11
1. Motions in the Sky
1/13
Lab 1. The Seasons—Planetarium
No class-MLK Day
1/18
1/20
Lab 2. Coordinates and Celestial Navigation -- Planetarium
1/25
2. A Brief History of Astronomy
1/27
Lab 3. The Ellipse
2/1
3. The Earth and the Moon
2/3
Lab 4. Kepler’s Laws—Planetarium
2/8
Quiz 1. 4. The Terrestrial Planets
2/10
Lab 5. Planetary Orbits
2/15
5. The Jovian Planets and Satellites. Pluto
2/17
Lab 6. The Orbit of Mercury
2/22
6. The Smaller Objects in the Solar System
2/24
Lab 7. Lunar Topography
Exam. Planetarium Show
2/29
3/2
Observing Night
No classes --Spring break
3/7,9
3/14
7. The Sun. Stellar Astronomy
3/16
Lab 8. Optical Telescopes
3/21
8. Light and Telescopes. Photometry and Spectroscopy
3/23
Lab 9. Atomic Spectra
3/28
9. The Interstellar Medium. Stellar Formation and Evolution
3/30
Lab 10. Spectral Classification
4/4
Quiz 2. 10. Final Stages of Stellar Evolution
4/6
Lab 11. The H-R Diagram -Planetarium
4/11
11. The Milky Way and Other Galaxies
4/13
Lab 12. Hubble’s Law - Planetarium
4/18
12. Cosmology. Life in the Universe
4/20
Stars and Constellations – Planetarium
4/25
Review
Chapters
1, 2
3, 4, 5
7, 8, 9
10, 11
12,13,14
15
6, 16
16, 17, 21
18, 19, 22
20
22, 23, 24
25, 26, 27
Course Objectives
In this class the students are introduced to:
(a) A brief history of astronomy from ancient times to our time of space exploration and space
telescopes.
(b) The current understanding of the nature of different astronomical objects, such as the objects
in the solar system, stars, nebulae, galaxies, quasars, and black holes.
(c) The results of the latest cosmological theories concerning the creation and evolution of the
universe as a whole.
(d) The astronomical aspects of the creation and evolution of life on Earth and the possibility of
the existence of life elsewhere in the universe.
The students are also exposed to the theories of physics that are the basis of astronomy such as
Newtonian gravitation, the theories of special and general relativity, atomic theory, the theory
of nuclear physics and the theory of light.
In the Lab the students are introduced to the scientific methods used in astronomy. The
students will complete lab projects, learn to recognize some prominent stars and constellations,
and learn how to perform some astronomical observations with or without a telescope.
Grading: Your grade will be based on:
Homework:
10%
Two Quizzes
10%
Midterm Exam
25%
Final Exam
25%
Lab Reports
20%
Stars and Constellations 10%
90% or better: A. 80-89%: B. 70-79%: C. 60-69%: D. Less than 60%: F.
Course Organization: Homework assignments, quizzes and exams consist of “short answer”
questions. The questions in the quizzes and the tests will be very similar to the questions in the
homework assignments.
Homework will be regularly assigned every lecture day. Each assignment is due at the
beginning of the following lecture class. Late homework assignments will not be accepted. The
length of the homework assignments varies from 20 to 50 questions. Each question is worth one
point.
Attendance is very important. Absent students, students who are very late or leave before the
end of the lecture will receive a grade of zero on the homework assignment that is due that
day, even if the students turn in the assignment. To receive proper homework credit you are
required to sign an attendance list at the end of each class period. It is your responsibility to
sign this list. If your signature is missing from such a list you will receive a zero grade for the
homework assignment that is due that day even if you turn in the assignment.
In each lab period we will complete the lab exercise indicated in the schedule above. For each
lab exercise you will receive, at least one week in advance, a handout with the description of the
lab and the necessary space to complete the lab report. Many exercises require the use of a ruler,
a protractor, a compass, a calculator or some other materials. Please make sure that you have
all necessary supplies. Otherwise you may not be able to complete the lab. Each completed
lab report should be turned in for grading at the beginning of the next lab meeting. Late reports
will be penalized by 20% per day being late.
To complete a lab report you must perform several activities in class or in the planetarium.
Since these activities cannot be performed at a different time, students who are absent during
the regular meeting time of a lab, even if they have a valid excuse for their absence, arrive
late, leave early, or do not actively participate in the performance of the required activities
will receive no credit for that lab. To receive proper credit for a lab, a student who
satisfactorily completes the required lab work is also required to sign an attendance list at the
end of each lab period. It is your responsibility to make sure that you sign this list. Students
whose signatures are missing from such a list will receive no credit for that lab even if they
turn in a completed lab report.
Each of the two quizzes will consist of 10 questions. The quizzes will be given at the beginning
of the class period and they will last for 15 minutes each. No makeup quizzes will be allowed.
A major objective of this class is to develop the ability to recognize constellations and some of
the brightest stars. To achieve this goal we will mainly use the planetarium. On clear nights we
may also hold observing sessions with or without a telescope. Towards the end of the semester
you will take a test to demonstrate your ability to recognize stars and constellations. Please note
that your performance on this test will affect substantially the final grade you will receive in the
class.
The exam on 2/29/16 is on the material in Handouts 1-6. It will be given at the beginning of the
class period and will last for 60 minutes. No makeup exam will be allowed. The final exam is
on the material in Handouts 7-12 and will be held on Friday April 29, 2016, at 8:00 p.m. Both the
midterm exam and the final exam consist of 40 questions each.
Note 1: Please review the Academic Code of Conduct relating to Academic Honesty contained
in the Student Handbook. If you are found to be in violation of this Code of Honesty, a zero
grade will be given for the work. Additionally, a grade of F may be assigned for the course
and/or further sanctions may be pursued.
Note 2: If you have a physical, psychological and/or learning disability, which might affect
your performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 126A B&E, (803)
641-3609, as soon as possible. The Disability Services Office will determine appropriate
accommodations based on medical documentation.
Note 3: Classroom Behavior
It is the instructor’s right to remove from the classroom any student who disrupts or disturbs
the proceeding of the class. Disruption of the class includes but is not limited to the use of
any portable electronic devices, including cell phones, MP3 players; iPods, etc. unless prior
approval has been given to a student or unless required for the course. In extreme cases the
faculty member can request assistance from University Police. If the student who has been
ejected causes similar disturbances in subsequent meetings of the class, he/she may be
denied admittance to the class for the remainder of the semester and assigned a grade of F.