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Astro 25 Fall 2020 Syllabus (1)

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Observational Astronomy (Online)
Astronomy 25
Fall 2020
Online
Instructor: Dr. Mitch Haeri
Course begins on 8/17/2020, ends on 12/16/2020
email: mhaeri@saddleback.edu (main method of communication)
Office Hours: By appointment (email for appointment)
1. Course Description
This laboratory course is an introduction to observational astronomy with an emphasis
on techniques used to observe and study celestial objects which include the moon, planets, sun,
stars, and deep sky objects.
2. Course Objectives and Student Learning Objectives
• Learn the basic function and use of astronomical instruments
o Telescopes, spectroscopes, and CCD cameras
• Learn the constellations visible during the semester
• Learn the use of the celestial sphere and the equatorial coordinate system to find celestial
objects
• Learn how observational astronomers study celestial objects
o The Moon, planets, stars, star clusters, nebula, and galaxies
• Learn how observational instruments gather data on astronomical objects
o Distance and size of planets, Size of lunar craters, temperature of stars, separation
of binary stars, and structure of galaxies.
• Learn methods used by observational astronomers to study the birth and death of the
universe (cosmology).
3. Prerequisites: None
4. Required material: None. Everything is available on Canvas (Lectures, labs, etc)
5. Grades
The course grade is based on lecture quizzes, astronomy research, observational
exercises, and exams.
% of Final Grade
Weekly Lecture Quizzes
15%
Weekly Observational Exercises
30%
Monthly Observational Research
5%
Midterm
25%
Final
25%
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5. Online Assignments, Quizzes and Exams
All of the assignments will be done online using Canvas. The student will follow the online
instructions. Assignments and quizzes are due on the indicated date. The assignments and
quizzes are only available during the week indicated. The student will not have a chance to makeup past due assignments and quizzes. The following activities and assignments must be
completed weekly per the attached schedule:
•
•
•
•
•
Read through the lecture posted each week
Complete the lecture quiz
Complete the weekly observational exercise
Complete weekly observational research
Post questions on the discussion board. Students are allowed to communicate with each
other via the discussion board. Yes, you are allowed to ask each other questions.
Weekly Lecture Quizzes – Each week there will be a PowerPoint for students to go through. There
will be a 10-question quiz based on the topic. Students will have one attempt on each quiz and
unlimited time to complete the quiz. These weekly quizzes are worth 15% of the final grade. The
lowest score from the quizzes for the semester will be dropped.
Weekly Observational Exercises – Each week students will complete an observational astronomy
exercise. This will essentially be an “online lab” and it will all be done through Canvas. There will
be no time limit and students are given one submission. This will be worth 30% of the final grade.
The lowest score from these exercises will be dropped.
Monthly Observational Research – Each month students will complete a short Canvas assignment
that involves researching current astronomy events. These will be short answer format and there
will be no time limit. This is worth 5% of the final grade and no submissions will be dropped.
There will be a total of 4 monthly observational research assignments.
Midterm and Final – A multiple choice midterm and final will be posted on the dates shown on
the attached course schedule. The final and midterm both have 100 questions. Students have 3
hours to take the exam from the time the exam is opened. You must complete the exam when it
is opened (forced completion). If you do not complete the exam during the allotted time, Canvas
will automatically submit the exam for you. The midterm will cover material from the first half of
the course, and the final will cover only material from the second half of the course. They are
both worth 25% of the final grade, and no make-ups will be given.
Missed Quizzes and Assignments – You have one week to complete the lecture quiz,
observational astronomy exercise, and the observational astronomy research. They will be taken
off of Canvas at the indicated time. The quizzes and assignments will not be turned on for
individuals not following the due date and time. The only time quizzes and assignments will be
left-on is when there is a server problem. Do not wait until Monday morning to complete your
assignments. All assignments will always be due at 11:59 PM on Monday.
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What Happens if a Student Fails to Complete an Assignment or Quiz? – Each student is allowed
to miss (1) weekly lecture quiz and (1) observational astronomy exercise. The lowest scores will
be dropped. There will be no make-ups or extensions given.
7. Cheating Policy
Student's caught cheating on an exam, quiz or assignments will be subject to college policy. The
student should read the catalogue of classes to familiarize themselves with this policy.
8. Make-up Exams
Given the nature of the course, no make-up exams or extensions will be given.
10. Computer and Software Requirements
This course is administered online using the Canvas program. It is assumed that the student has
available a computer and the required software (see the web page for software requirements).
It is the student’s responsibility to make sure a computer is available. There are computers on
campus. However, the campus computers may not be available in a timely fashion. Canvas is
optimized for Google Chrome, but I found other browsers work fine.
11. Emails and Chat Rooms (Discussion Board)
The student may communicate with the instructor by email. There is a chat room for students
enrolled in this course. Only material related to Astronomy should be posted in the chat room.
Posting of inappropriate material will be handled according to the College policy. All students are
given an email account. This email account will be used for communications. Students have
access to email via MySite. The instructor communicates with students using their Saddleback
email. Students are strongly encouraged to post questions and comments in the chat room.
12. Attendance
Per school board policy, the instructor may (at their discretion) drop a student who has
missed 6 hours or more of class. Six hours corresponds to 2 consecutive missed assignments or
quizzes. Ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to drop from the class. Students are dropped
at the discretion of the instructor. There are cases where the instructor does not drop students
even though they missed more than 2 consecutive assignments and quizzes. In such cases, the
student may receive a failing grade.
11. Dropping/withdrawing from the class:
• Drop without a W before 9/7/2020
• Drop with a W before 10/30/2020
• After 10/30/2020 neither the student nor the instructor can drop a student
13. Academic Dishonesty Policy
Please refer to the college catalogue for the dishonesty policy or go to the following link:
http://www.saddleback.edu/la/acts-academic-dishonesty
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Observation Astronomy
Course Outline
Due at 11:59
PM on the
following dates
Week
Topic
Observational Astronomy
Exercise
8/17
Introduction to
Observational Astronomy
The Evening Sky: August
August 31 (extra week
given for first
assignments)
8/24
History of Observational
Astronomy
Research a Local Observatory
August 31
8/31
Constellations
Observing Constellations
September 7
9/7
Telescopes Part 1
The Evening Sky: September
September 14*
9/14
Telescopes Part 2
Using a Telescope
September 21
Research a Telescope
September 28
Telescopes Today
October 5
9/21
9/28
Equatorial Coordinates
Part 1
Equatorial Coordinates
Part 2
10/5
Midterm
The Evening Sky: October
October 12*
10/12
The Moon
Observing the Moon
October 19
10/19
Planets Part 1
Research a Space Mission
October 26
10/26
Planets Part 2
Observing Planets
November 2
11/2
Comets and Asteroids
Research a Comet
November 9*
11/9
Stars Part 1
The Evening Sky: November
November 16
11/16
Stars Part 2
Understanding the HR Diagram
November 23
11/23
Deep Sky Objects
Researching Deep Sky Objects
November 30
11/30
The Milky Way
Observations of Distant Galaxies
December 7
12/7
Final Exam
None
December 14*
*Monthly Observational Research Assignment Is Due
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