Introduction to Astronomy!
Today…
Welcome to Chabot College!
Roster/Adding the Class
How the class will work
 Syllabus
 Calendar
 Homework
But first….
"Even the longest journey
must begin where you
stand.“ - Lao-tzu
Introduce yourself to
your neighbors!
Our planetarium: The most
“comfortable” classroom on
campus!
The lights will dim…
The stars come out!
Music plays,
and….
Make a promise to your
neighbor!
“I’ll (gently) wake you up…
If
You (gently) wake me up!”
(Especially if you snore!)
Why take Astronomy??
Why take Astronomy??
To meet
people!
Why take Astronomy??
The Relativistic physics
class was already full…
Astronomy Satisfies AA/AS Degree
Astronomy Satisfies CSU Transfer
Requirements!
Astronomy Satisfies UC Transfer
Requirements!
Welcome to Astronomy!
Attendance & Adding
Today:
Sign the roster going around the room…
Be sure to indicate “trying to add”
Most class days:
Attendance by quizzes, group work, and/or
sign in sheet.
Syllabus & Course Calendar
Already Online
Read it!
Quiz next week!
Lots of options for “success”
however you define that
What are your goals for the
course?
My office: 2013 in Building 2000
Cafeteria
Bio
Library
Physics/Math
What is happening in Astronomy
right now?
NASA’s New Horizons reached Pluto
What is happening in Astronomy?
Rosetta landed a probe
on a Comet!
Launched in 2004
Philae lander hoped to
regain more power as
comet passes the Sun
What is happening in Astronomy?
China’s rover is on the moon…
What is happening in Astronomy?
Hubble Space Telescope
Deepest sky survey will
see back farther than ever
3,000 galaxies 12+ Billion
light years away
Magnified 10-20x by
“nearby” cluster
What is happening in Astronomy?
Kepler mission ~5000
possible planets around
other stars ( ~1000 confirmed)
In an area of the sky the
size of your fist…
40 Billion more in our
galaxy alone?
How many like Earth??
What is happening in Astronomy?
Global Climate Change
What is happening in Astronomy?
Understanding our Sun’s impact on Earth
Astronomy & Your Life
What could
learning about
the planets
and stars
possibly have
in common
with my life
now??
Astronomy & Your Life
There are more connections
between
our lives & astronomy
than you might realize…
Seven Days of the Week
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
- the Sun’s day, of course
- the Moon’s day
-?
- ??
- ???
- ??#$
- ???%^?
Seven Days of the Week
Seven Days of the Week







Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wed
Thurs
Friday
Saturday
Domingo
Lunes
Martes
Miercoles
Jueves
Viernes
Sabado
Dimanche
Lundi
Mardi
Mercredi
Jeudi
Vendredi
Samedi
Sun
Moon
Mars
Mercury
Jupiter
Venus
Saturn
Seven objects are easily seen to move in regular patters in
front of the stars across the skies during the year
Key Questions for YOU…
Key Questions for YOU
in our class…
How does science work?
What do we gain, as humans, by asking
questions of Nature?
Is the quest for knowledge worth the
costs?