COURSE SYLLABUS
Astronomy 1
Instructor: Dr. YaoTang Liao
Office: N, main campus
Email: yliao@hartnell.edu
Office Hours: e-mail or by appointment
Astronomy Webpage: http://www.hartnell.edu/astronomy
Homepage: http://www.hartnell.edu/directory/dr-yaotang-liao
MAKE SURE TO READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS SYLLABUS
Course Description: A comprehensive survey of modern astronomy with an emphasis on
the scientific method and the interpretation of astronomical data in discovering the nature
of the solar system and the universe. Planetarium demonstrations are included. Suitable
for students from all majors and acceptable for physical science credit at any state college
or university. Lab requirement can be satisfied when combined with AST lL.
Course Objectives: Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
describe and apply the principles of the scientific method.
compare the relative sizes of celestial objects and the scale of the universe.
locate and identify objects in the night sky using celestial coordinates.
discuss the impact and history of scientific theories.
apply Newton and Keplers' laws to explain the motions of celestial objects.
develop an appreciation for past and current NASA research missions.
examine the importance of spectroscopic analysis in astronomy.
demonstrate an understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and properties of
light.
9. explore the methods that are used in modern astronomy to obtain and interpret data.
10. explain the characteristics of different types of telescopes and their relative
advantages.
11. recognize the importance of observations in non-optical wavelengths.
12. explain how the solar system was formed.
13. determine the nature of new solar systems in formation and extrasolar planets.
14. explain the fundamental differences between terrestrial and Jovian planets.
15. discuss the significance of NASA exploration in studying planetary science.
16. explain the nature of solar system debris.
17. discuss the controversy behind Pluto.
18. describe the differences between planets and dwarf planets.
19. describe how energy is produced in the core of the Sun.
1
20. discuss current theories of stellar formation and stellar evolution.
21. explain the relationship between mass and the life cycle of a star.
22. discuss the nature of black holes.
23. describe the major features of the Milky Way Galaxy.
24. explain how galaxies are classified.
25. explain the origin, evolution, and ultimate fate of the universe.
26. discuss possibilities of life elsewhere in the universe and the methods to locate it.
Student Learning Outcomes:
 Given a description of planets in the solar system, students will:
1) describe the current definition of a planet
2) list the names of the planets in correct order from the Sun
3) compare and contrast the properties of terrestrial planets with Jovian planets

Given several astronomical objects students will list the objects in order of size

Given several astronomical phenomena, students will describe why these
phenomena occur

Given a scientific theory, students will:
1) identify the major concepts of the theory
2) identify the initiator of the theory
3) describe the body of evidence that supports the theory

Given a description of the life cycles of stars, students will:
1) list in chronological order, the different stages of the stellar life cycle
2) describe the main components of each stage
3) compare and contrast the life cycles of low mass and high mass stars

Given images of astronomical objects, students will identify the object with its
correct designation or phenomenon
Required Text and Materials:
Explorations: An Introduction to Astronomy, 7th Edition, by Arny & Schneider
Scantron, form 882-E (for all exams)
Planisphere: recommended
The PowerPoint Presentations: I will be lecturing to the class using predominantly
PowerPoint presentations.
In Class Group Activities (worth 10%):
In this class, you will learn to think critically to answer questions and work through
concepts. You will earn full credit for participating in the in class activities and will not
be penalized for incorrect answers. You will not be able to make up these activities for
2
any reason if you miss class. Thus, attendance in the class is important as 10% of
your grade will be based on these in class activities and your grade will drop one full
letter grade if you do not show up for class and participate in the activities. Many
of the questions on the exams will be taken directly from the questions posed during
the in class activities and cannot be found easily in the book so please show up for
class.
Group Activities: You will work together in small groups (no more than 3 people per
group) to answers questions, discussion, or worksheets. Only one sheet per group needs
to be turned in.
Observing Projects (worth 10%): Two night sky observations with the naked eye,
binoculars, and/or telescopes are required outside of class. You will be advised in
advance on the nature of the observations and the due dates for the observations. It is
very important that you start them early in the semester as you need several weeks of
observations. You should do the observing project on your own (not with a partner). If
observing projects are turned in with the same data and/or drawings, they will NOT be
given credit.
Exams: There will be three midterms (worth 45%) and one final (worth 35%). The
exams will be true/false, multiple choice, and short answer and will require that you
purchase scantron sheets form 882-E. Please remember to bring the scantron and a
#2 pencil to the exam. Exams will be closed book, closed notes. Absolutely no cell
phones are allowed during the exam.
The week before the exams, I will pass out a practice midterm exam, which will contain
questions that you can use as a guide to study for the midterms. The questions on the
exam will cover what I talked about in class so it is important to take good notes during
the lectures as some of the material will not be covered in the book. The questions on
the actual exam will be similar (but not necessarily the same) as the practice exam
questions so be sure to look up the answers for all the questions on the practice exam.
The actual exam will also contain between 40% additional questions that will not be
covered on the practice exam.
The final exam will be cumulative (will cover everything!) and must be taken in
order to pass the class. There will NOT be a practice final.
Make-Up Midterm Exam Policy: One Midterm Exam may be made up IF you know
ahead of time that you will have to miss it AND talk to me, AND be able to take it before
I pass back the midterm to the class, otherwise THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP
EXAMS ALLOWED, ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS!
If an arrangement cannot be made or you do not notify me before the test date, you may
drop one midterm exam (no questions asked) provided that you look up ALL the
questions on the exam and hand it back to me within a week. It is your responsibility
to come talk to me within the next class meeting. If I do not receive the completed exam
3
or you wait more than one class meeting to inform me, the midterm exam will NOT be
dropped. Only ONE midterm exam will be dropped. If for any reason you miss two
exams, the second exam will NOT be dropped and you will receive a zero on it. You will
NOT be allowed to make it up for whatever reason. Although you may miss one exam
without penalty, you are still responsible for knowing the material that is covered on the
exam since it will be on the Final which will cover everything. If you take all three
midterms, the lowest midterm exam grade will be dropped.
Final Exam Policy: The final exam cannot be dropped. In order to pass the class,
the final must be taken. The date of the final cannot be changed. If you need to take
the final earlier and have good reason, you must inform me several weeks before the
final. However, I have the discretion to deny the request. The earliest that the final can
be taken is 1 week before the actual date of the final, absolutely no exceptions.
The date and time of the final for this class is: ____________________
Final Grades:
 Observing Project: 10%
 Group Work: 10%
 Midterms: 45%
 Final: 35%
 + Any Extra Credit
Final grades are based on the following percentages:
Percentage
90-100 %
80-89 %
70-79 %
60-69 %
< 60 %
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Special Accommodations: If you need any special accommodations, please let me know
during the first week of classes. I will do my best to arrange them for you if you let me
know early.
Attendance Policy: I will pass around an attendance sign in sheet at the start of each
class period so please don’t be late. If the attendance sheet does not reach you, be
sure to notify me and you can sign it during the end of class. It is your responsibility
to get your name signed on the attendance sheet.
It is very important not to miss too many classes. Your grade will suffer if you miss too
many in class activities as it counts for 15% of your grade. Furthermore, the PowerPoint
presentations that are posted on the web do not include all the required information on
them. You need to be in class to get the information and take extra notes.
I have the discretion to drop a student from the class upon missing one more class
meeting than the number of class meetings in two weeks (including non-consecutive
absences). However, it is your responsibility to drop yourself from the class if you
4
want to be dropped. If you do not drop yourself, you could receive a failing grade in
the class!
Academic Honesty Policy: All students enrolled in the course are bound by an academic
honesty code. Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, in-class cheating, out-of-class
cheating, plagiarism, knowingly assisting another student in cheating or plagiarism,
furnishing false information to College staff, faculty, administrators, or other officials.
First time offenders will receive a zero on the exam (which cannot be dropped).
Observing projects that have the same data, drawings, and answers will not be given
credit. Second time offenders will receive a failing grade in the class.
Classroom Disruption Policy: In order to make this a positive experience for everyone,
I expect you to value your education and take it seriously by respecting your
classmates and me. This means coming to class on time, not leaving early, waiting
until I’m finished before packing up, turning off cell phones, and no texting, or noise
of any kind (talking, whispering, giggling) while I am lecturing. Because classroom
disruption interferes with the learning process of your classmates, it will not be tolerated
in this classroom. I will follow a firm policy during the semester:
1. First offense, you will receive a warning.
2. Second offense, you will be told to leave the classroom.
3. Third offense, you will be dropped from the class.
My Expectations: Everyone can earn a good grade in this class if you are dedicated,
work hard, take good notes, and communicate when you have problems or don’t
understand. I will do my best to help you understand the concepts, answer your
questions, and clarify any confusion. I want you to do well and succeed in the class, but
it is up to you to want to succeed in the class. This will require some dedication on your
part and willingness to put time into the course inside and outside of the classroom. If
you are having difficulties with the school work, please come to office hours and talk to
me about them. We can work around and resolve some problems if you communicate
with me early in the semester. Don’t wait until it is too late! If you can’t make it to
office hours, email or call me and we can schedule another time to meet. Last but not
least, I would like to say have fun! I look forward to working with each one of you.
Astronomy is a fascinating subject, and I hope that this class will open your eyes to how
important it is in our everyday lives.
Safety Information:
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION: In the event of a life threatening emergency call 911.
 To report a non-life threatening incident, safety hazard, or a suspicious activity
please contact campus security at 755-6888
 To obtain campus status information, call the campus safety and facilities
emergency status bulletin telephone number: 831-796-6222. From a campus line,
simply dial 6222
5

AlertU subscribers can be alerted in real-time about important security
information.
Alert U is a SMS based emergency notification system that works on mobile phones. To
sign up for AlertU, simply use the subscription tool that says "Emergency Alerts" at
http://www.hartnell.edu/safety/
EVACUATION: Please note the exit(s) in the room. In the event of an alarm or safety
threat, uniformed Hartnell personnel equipped with two-way radios—including security,
and maintenance staff—have up-to-date information; they also have the authority to order
either shelter-in-place or immediate building evacuation. For evacuation, immediately
heed their directions by proceeding calmly and quickly to an exterior assembly area as
indicated by trained staff. Please stay back at least 200 feet from any building until the
“all clear” command is issued.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: The first 72 hours of a disaster are often the most
difficult, but this period can be less stressful if everyone has extra supplies on hand. The
college has a limited amount of emergency supplies, so students and staff should have on
campus their own portable emergency kit including snacks, water, and prescription
medication; this is especially important for those who may need to shelter on campus. For
more information go to http://72hours.org/ and http://www.hartnell.edu/emergency/
This syllabus may subject to change as needed during the course of the semester.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am7EwmxBAW8&x-yt-cl=84503534&x-ytts=1421914688
http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0073512222/student_view0/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecliptic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton%27s_cannonball
http://waowen.screaming.net/revision/force&motion/ncananim.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am7EwmxBAW8&x-yt-cl=84503534&x-yt-ts=1421914688
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=retrograde+motion+of+mars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phases_of_Venus
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/astro/para.html
http://connect.mheducation.com/connect/
http://connect.mheducation.com/class/ast1-6066
6