Montgomery County Community College
Mathematics/Science and Technology Division
Course: INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY AST 120- PHY 120- GEL 121 4-3-3
Instructor: Kelli C. Spangler M.S.
Email: kcspangler@gmail.com
Office Hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays: 100 – 230 PM or after class
Class information: Room SCI 215
Days: Monday and Wednesday
Time: 230 – 530 P.M.
I. Catalog Description:
Introduction to Astronomy is a one-semester college-level course in basic
descriptive astronomy. The course may be used as a laboratory science elective with the
mathematical applications limited to basic algebra. The course explores a broad range of
topics in astronomy, as well as concepts and principles in eleven major areas:
understanding the sky, apparent motions of the planets, light and atoms, the sun, the
planets, telescopes, individual stars, the ecology of stars, galaxies, cosmology, and life in
the universe. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on recurring scientific principles
and the evidence that astronomers use to support their conclusions. The course also
focuses on the importance of astronomy and shows how astronomer have come to know
what they know about he universe and how they seek answer to new questions. (Field
trips to local planetarium and observatory are required). PERREQUISITES: High school
algebra and English or MAT 011 and End 011 with a minimum grad of “C” or better.
II. Required Text and Course Materials
Course Textbook: Horizons, Exploring the Universe, 2006 Edition, by Michael Seeds,
Wadsworth Publishing Co., Belmont, Ca., 9th edition
Laboratory Exercises Textbook: Introductory Astronomy Exercises, by Dale C. Ferguson,
Wadsworth Publishing Co., Belmont, Ca.
III. Course Learning Objectives
Unit I:
A. Chapters 1 and 2
1. To give the students a preliminary idea of the scale and size of the cosmos
2. To learn scientific notation
3. To understand cyclical terms like rotation, revolution, orbital motion
4. Maps and constellations
B. Understanding the Sky (Chapter3)
1. Night and day
2. To understand the origin of the length of the day and year
3. To understand the seasons and lunar cycles like the phases of
C. Origins of Modern Astronomy (Chapter 4)
1. To learn the history of Astronomy
2. To understand the concept of a heliocentric universe
3. To learn the laws of planetary motion via Kepler
4. To understand Gravity via Newton
D. Astronomical Tools (Chapter 5)
1. To learn about optical telescopes both refractive and reflective
2. To learn about radio telescopes
3 To understand a CCD camera and spectrograph
E. Light and Atoms (Chapter 6)
1. To understand the basic structure of atoms
2. How temperature and radiation are related to each other
3. To learn about the different types of light and what information each reveals
Unit II:
F. The sun (Chapter 7)
1. To study the interior parts of the sun
2. To study the behavior and parts of the solar atmosphere
3. To understand the behavior and patterns of the sun
G. The planets (Chapter 16)
1. To study the birth and formation of the planets and sun
2. Understanding the two types of planets: terrestrial and jovian
H. Properties of stars (Chapter 8)
1. Learning the different types of stars and their properties
2. Learning the H-R diagram and all its applications
3. Understanding fusion in the cores of stars
I. Evolution of stars (Chapters 9 and 10)
1. Covering stellar formation for all types of stars
2. Defining evolutionary differences for each type
3. Understanding binary star system and their properties
4. Learning about the death stages for all types of stars
Unit III:
J. Neutron stars, Black holes, and our Galaxy (Chapters 11 and 12)
1. Learning the theoretical predictions of neutron stars and black holes
2. Pulsars: a special type of neutron star
3. Types of black holes: regular and super-massive (SMBH)
4. The milky way galaxy and its properties
5. Understanding the relationship between SMBHs and the galaxy
K. Galaxies (Chapters 13)
1. Defining different types of galaxies
2. Calculating the distances to galaxies
3. Properties of the three types of galaxies
4. Discussion of active galaxies/quasars
L. Cosmology (Chapter 15)
1. Understanding the expansion of the universe
2. Past and present theories of the birth of the universe: the big bang
3. The present nature of the universe: is there an edge or center?
4. The future of the universe
IV. Laboratory Exercises (Normally there are about ten labs completed each semester.
The exercises done each week may not be in the following order and other exercises may
be substituted depending on clear nights and objects visible in the sky).
A. Exercise 3
B. Exercise 4
C. Exercise 11
D. Exercise 13
E. Exercise 17
F. Exercise 21
G. Exercise 23
H. Exercise 12
I. Exercise 27
J. Exercise 28
- Experimental Measurements
- Interplanetary travel
- The moon
- The planets, part 1: Analysis of observations
- Keplers law and masses
- The H-R diagram
- Pulsars
- The moon and visual observations
- Classification of galaxies
- Radial velocities and the hubble law
Each lab is worth 10 points. There are 10 labs required for the course. There are 13
scheduled labs. This allows for some freedom in your attendance of nightly outdoor labs
as well as for weather conditions.
Alternate labs:
Should you miss a lab, and want to make it up, there are alternate lab possibilities that
require either personal time observing, or access to the internet along with your time and
effort. Each project will count as ONE lab only. If you would like to do an alternate
project, you need to see me to receive the necessary paperwork, further instructions, and
your deadline. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact me regarding the alternate
labs.
V. Astronomical Observing Journal
You will be doing an outdoor observational journal to help supplement
cloudy/rained out or otherwise cancelled labs. A write up for the journal is included at
the end of this syllabus. It will be due during the final week of classes, prior to the final
exam. If you attempt to hand it in with the final exam, expect a rejection of your
submission accompanied by a zero for your journal grade. The journal will be worth
10% of your final grade in the class.
VI. Evaluation Methods (grading)
Students receive only one grade for this course, since there is no separate lab and lecture
grade. Your grade will be determined by the following methods and weights:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
3 major exams, including the final exam
weekly homework assignments (chapter problems)
laboratory exercises, field trip handouts
observing journal
attendance and class participation
first test
second test
final exam
homework
Outdoor Observing journal
lab assignments and field trip
15%
15%
20%
20%
10%
20%
100%
A point to keep in mind is that you are not automatically entitled to a passing grade
merely because you have paid for and attended the course. A grade is earned based on
academic proficiency in the subject matter, it is not purchased.
Final exam note: Under no circumstances will a final exam be returned to you. They are
held in my possession. If you wish to know your grade on the final exam, you will need
to contact me via email after the final exam has been graded.
Grading Scheme:
A: 95-100
A-: 92-94
B+: 89-91
B: 82-88
B-: 79-81
C+: 76-78
C: 69-75
C-: 66-68
D: 55-65
F: 0-55
VII. Schedule of classes, labs, tests, etc…..
Monday
Wednesday
January
22-Chapter 3
29-Chapter 4
17-Introduction, Chapter 1, 2
24-Lab 1
31-Lab 2
February
5-Chapter 5
12-Chapter 6
19- TEST 1
26-Chapter 7
7-Lab 3
14-Lab 4
21-Chapter 16 + movie
28- Lab 5
5-Chapter 8
12- Spring Break
19- Chapter 9
26- Chapter 10
7- Lab 6
14- Spring Break
21-Lab 7
28-Lab 8
2 - Test II
9- Chapter 12
16- Chapter 13
23- Chapter 15
30- Movies 2 and 3
4- Chapter 11 mini-lecture + movie
11-Lab 10
18-Lab 11
25-Lab 12
March
April
May
2- Final exam week
9 – FINAL EXAM TBA
VIII. General Classroom Policies and Procedures:
A. General Advice:
1. I am here to help you learn and pass this course, but there are no guarantees. If
you are having any problems, COME SEE ME IMMEDIATELY, don’t wait,
it only compounds the problem.
2. This is an introductory course with algebraic applications only. If you are
expecting a more advanced course with calculus, please see me and it may be
appropriate for you to consider withdrawing.
3. Most of the presentations in the course will be from the text therefore, you may
wish to limit your note taking and concentrate more on the content of the topic
discussed and presented in class.
4. It is highly recommended that you read over the covered chapters after class while
the material is fresh in your mind and do the assigned problems.
5. Your feedback on any part of the course would be most appreciated. The course
is updated regularly and student input is encouraged.
B. Policies and procedures:
1. You are responsible for reading each chapter in the textbook. Some questions on
the tests will be from the text and may not be covered extensively during class. It
is your responsibility to learn all the material.
2. Lab reports and homework problems are due one (1) week after the lab or
one week after they are assigned. Your answers should be typed or printed
clearly on the appropriate pages of your lab manual, and if answers are not
legible, points will be deducted. Late labs/homeworks will not be accepted.
3. Please remember that the sky will not be clear each week for observations
therefore, approximately half the labs will be conducted in class (lab room).
4. Make-up exams are normally not given. If you miss an exam, you must
notify the instructor immediately as to the reason you are missing the exam (call
during the day or leave a message and telephone number on voice mail). Prior
notice is preferred. Telling me you will miss the exam on the day of is not an
acceptable time frame (unless of an emergency).
5. Attendance will NOT be taken. We are all adults, and I feel you can determine
your attendance rate. My general policy is that if you don’t want to be here then
don’t be, else it’s a waste of both our times. Participation grade is based upon
your participation in lecture, lab, out of class, and general activity. If I am unable
to place your name with your face by the end of the semester, then you have not
done your part as the student and this part of your grade will suffer.
If you miss class or arrive late, it is your responsibility to get the information that
you missed. The exams cover both textbook and lectured material, so if you miss
class, be aware that material may show up on a future exam. Due to lab and room
scheduling problems, missed labs may not be able to be done at a later time, so it
is very important that you attend labs (field trips and observation labs
cannot be made-up).
6. Withdrawals will be permitted through the week of the return of the second test,
and changes to audit status will be permitted through the last week of the course,
provided you have not missed more than 2 classes, labs or field trips.
Withdrawal forms requiring my signature will not be signed unless under
extreme circumstances.
7. Cheating on exams will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic F for that
exam. If cheating is observed twice, an automatic F for the course will be
registered without the option of withdrawing, and submitted for academic review
by the College.
8. Smoking is prohibited by the College in any of the classrooms, buildings and/or
entrances to said buildings. If you bring snacks to class, you are expected to
clean-up after yourself.
9. Our facilities are handicapped accessible so that all students may experience the
same classroom activities.
C. Auditing Students:
Signing up for the class does not guarantee an automatic A, even for auditing
students. Perfect attendance is required for auditing students.
IX. Astronomical Observing Journal-Spring AST 120
Introduction:
As an effort to do more viewing of the night sky, you will keep a naked eye observing
journal. This will not replace outdoor observing labs which are hosted by the professor
with the entire class at montco using telescopes, binoculars, and naked eyes. Instead, the
journal is designed to supplement these labs to accommodate for cancellations due to
inclement weather.
Requirements: the purchase of a star wheel for location of constellations and a notebook
which can be small. It should NOT BE multiple torn out pages stapled together. Do this
in pencil so that you don’t scratch out bad sketches or misinformation.
Due dates: these will be turned in twice a month, every two weeks. I will review them
and make comments about how to observe better or how to take better notes about your
observations.
Grade: You will be graded based upon the inclusion of all the major observations (listed
below), the completeness of your information, and the required number of observations
each week. This grade will be worth 20% of your lab grade for the semester.
There are 15 weeks in the semester with 3 exams. Each exam week is a week you are
exempt from making these observations in order to aid your preparation for the exam.
This leaves 12 weeks of observations for you to complete within the semester.
Each weekly entry will be worth 15 points:
2 points for date/time
2 points for moon conditions
2 points for weather conditions
sketches:
1 point per name
6 points per sketch (based upon neatness, completeness, and inclusion of
planets when applicable)
1 point for cardinal direction
1 point for rising/setting
Total points at the end of the semester: 180 points
Note: the observations are not limited to the list below. If you would like to incorporate
binoculars or a personal telescope, feel free to do so. A naked eye sketch is required but
any additional sketches may be included and remember to label them separately from the
naked eye sketches.
Instructions:
1. There will be 4 major constellations/objects assigned each month. Once a week
for about 30 minutes, you are to go outside and make several observations in your
journal. Choose times which are convenient for you and during clear weather.
2. Use your star wheel in conjunction with the big and little dippers to help orient
you to the cardinal directions (NSEW) as well as identifying the monthly
constellations/objects.
Required Observations:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Date and Time at the top of each entry
Weather conditions: partly cloudy, hazy etc.
Moon conditions: phase of moon, direction of moon, host constellation
Planets: note any planets within the monthly constellations
Sketches: one of each monthly constellation/object along with:
a. Its name in English (and Latin if you know it)
b. Its direction (NSEW)
c. If it’s rising or setting
d. If it hosts any planets/moon/objects like star clusters or nebulae
(name the planet/nebula/cluster if it does)
e. Each constellation/object should be sketched on its own page in
your journal with the planet/moon/nebula/cluster included
Additional, non-required observations:
Planets: any planet anywhere in the sky. Note its direction and host constellation
Binocular or telescopic sketches: label each separately from the naked eye sketch
For telescope, include eyepiece used and type/size of telescope
January: Gemini, Taurus, Orion, Auriga
Notice Orion Nebula and Pleides
February: Cancer, Gemini, Canis Major, Canis Minor
March: Leo, Cancer, Hydra, Ursa Major
April: Virgo, Leo, Ursa Minor, Draco
Note location of north star with its real latin name
May: Libra, Virgo, Bootes, Hercules