PERSONALIZED LEARNING
MASTER SYLLABUS - PROPOSED
Astronomy 1 (Solar System)
(SCIN 281)
I.
Description:
Introduction to Astronomy as a science focuses on the history and development of
Astronomy, understanding the local sky, contributions by Copernicus, Tycho, Kepler,
Galileo and Newton, Solar System formation theories, properties of the planets, and
properties of the Sun.
This course is designated as a Science/Applied Science and targets many guidelines and
requirements in the Liberal Studies Program including an understanding of the natural
environment, learning to appreciate the diversity of other cultures (in terms of their scientific
beliefs), as well as acquiring knowledge and skills for professional success. Furthermore the
class develops skills in scientific inquiry.
II. Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Summarize the field of astronomy for the non-science major. Students will explain the basics
concepts that make astronomy a science and how we experience it for ourselves from our own
homes.
2. Summarize the history of astronomy and astronomy as a physical science. Students will
demonstrate knowledge on the origins of astronomy from the perspective of ancient civilizations.
Also comparisons and the study of different uses of astronomical concepts by multiple
civilizations will be emphasized.
3. Describe the contributions to Astronomy by Copernicus, Tycho, Kepler, Galileo and Newton.
Students will explain the steps that took astronomy to go from a geocentric view to a heliocentric
view and summarize the evolution of the science as developed by multiple scientists through the
ages.
4. Quantify the properties of light and telescopes. Students will study and explain the differences
between reflecting and refracting telescopes, the advantages and disadvantages of ground based
vs space based telescopes, and the properties that allow telescopes to be used as powerful
astronomical instruments.
5. Explain the evolution of the Solar System. For this objective the history of the formation of solar
systems from molecular clouds to proto planetary disks and formation of planets will be
explained.
6. Determine the structure and evolution of the Sun, planets, moons, and other bodies in the
Solar System. The objective encompasses the entire history of our solar system from a
planetology viewpoint. The properties of types of planets and individual planets will be
discussed. Also students will be able to compare the geology and the atmospheres of all planets.
III. Assessments of Learning Outcomes:
To further assess Student Learning Outcomes, individual lesson assessments will be given to students
in addition to the Pretest. These topic assessments will be performed online at MasteringAstronomy.
These assessments allow the students to comprehend a worded astronomical problem or situation,
visualize the problem with videos and pictures, and calculate and answer if required or explain with
words the idea behind the problem. At the end of the each lesson, students will be able to explain the
concept or theory explained and back it up with evidence and information that support their
explanation. The following methods will be applied to further assess student learning outcomes:
Pretests: Measures mastery of the lesson and topic objectives through essay, short answers, and
multiple-choice questions.
Posttest: Measures mastery of the lesson and topic objectives through essay, short answers, and
multiple-choice questions.
Astronomy Labs: Measures how students are actually performing through a collection of online
assignments related to each lesson topics.
Discussions: Students will be able to provide their thoughts and ideas about the lesson materials.
Mastery: Within each lesson, a student may complete mastery assignments. Mastery demands more
complex application of the subject matter through an additional test, presentation, paper, case study, or
other form of assessment.
Learning Outcome #1 Assessment example: Students will be able to describe the local sky from
their own backyards by observing constellations. They will also be able to obtain information on
latitude and time of the year from the night sky.
Learning Outcome #2 Assessment example: Students will summarize in a paper format, the steps in
the development of astronomy and the contributions from ancient civilizations made to it.
Learning Outcome #3 Assessment example: Students will find periods and distances of planets
using Kepler’s 3rd law and Newton’s version of Kepler’s 3rd law.
Learning Outcome #4 Assessment example: Students will have the ability to identify what kind of
telescope is best for a specific use and quantify the qualities of that telescope in comparison to other
telescopes.
Learning Outcome #5 Assessment example: Students will have the ability to explain the steps
involved in the formation of a planetary system and the difficulties encountered along the way.
Learning Outcome #6 Assessment example: Students will have the ability to quantify the properties
of other solar systems by using Newton’s version of Kepler’s 3rd law as well as describe in detail the
formation of said solar systems.
IV. Grading and Mastery
Students will earn a “B” if they achieve an 86% or higher on each of the topic-level activities.
Students are given two opportunities to complete each assignment (a first draft and a revision, if
necessary) and will receive specific feedback from their faculty mentor on both the content of the
responses and the quality of writing.
To earn an “A” and the possibility of honors on your diploma, students must demonstrate that they
have mastered the content of each lesson. In order to demonstrate mastery, students must have earned
an 86% or higher on the lesson’s assignments and completed the additional Mastery activity. The
Mastery activity is graded on a 100- point scale. Students are allowed only one attempt and they must
achieve a 95% or higher.
V. Lessons and Topics
Competency 1: Explore the history, development of astronomy and how it applies to your life. /Astro
History / Scin281.C1
Objective 1: Demonstrate basic knowledge of the day-to-day sky, development of astronomy and
properties of telescopes. / Daily Sky / Scin281.C1.O1
Lesson 1: Explore the science of astronomy as an observer from a backyard, and the development
and use of the science by ancient civilizations. / Local Sky / Scin281.C1.O1.L1 (SCIN 281 – .60)
Topic 1: The universe to scale. – Investigate the sizes and distances of the objects the
Universe to scale. /Scale Universe/Scin281.C1.O1.L1.T1
Topic 2: The night sky from your backyard. – Explore the night sky from your backyard.
/Backyard Sky/Scin281.C1.O1.L1.T2
Topic 3: Development of Astronomy. – Outline the ways astronomy was developed by
multiple civilizations before the renaissance. /Develop Astro/Scin281.C1.O1.L1.T3
Topic Mastery: Identify the latitude on Earth and the circumpolar constellations in the
provided sky chart. Also draw a diagram of your sky at night and identify the same
properties as in the provided sky. /Mastery/Scin281.C1.O1.L1.TM
Content
Description
Time
Reading 1.1
The Cosmic Perspective, Bennett, Donahue,
Schneider and Voit, 978-0-321-91861-1, Chapters
1-2
120
min
Activity 1.1
The Scale of the Universe 2 http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap140112.html
“Scale of Universe Revealed in New Ultraprecise
Galaxy Map” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/09/scale-ofuniverse-galaxy-map_n_4567445.html
“Star Size Comparison HD” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEheh1BH34Q
“How Big is the Universe?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NU2t5zlxQQ
15 min
The Thousand-Yard Model or, The Earth as a
Peppercorn http://www.noao.edu/education/peppercorn/pcmain
.html
“History of Astronomy” http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/ast121/lectures/lec02.
html
“Ancient Astronomers” http://burro.astr.cwru.edu/stu/pre20th_ancients.htm
l
“Greek Astronomy” http://www.ancient.eu.com/Greek_Astronomy/
25 min
Reading 1.2
Multimedia 1.1
Discussion 1.1
Activity 1.2
Reading 1.3
Reading 1.4
Reading 1.5
10 min
10 min
5 min
30 min
20 min
20 min
Notes
With this reading students will become familiar
with the significance of Earth in the universe,
the size of the visible universe, the size of the
galaxy to scale and the motion of Earth in the
universe as a whole. Students will also
understand the patterns formed by stars in the
night sky, reason behind stellar motion, seasons,
lunar phases, eclipses, and retrograde motion.
Familiarize the student with the size of things
from the microscopic to the macroscopic.
Further inform students about the size and scale
of things in the universe and the universe itself
based on recent observations.
Watch the video on the relative sizes of stars and
discover how minuscule the Sun actually is.
Watch the video and learn about observable and
physical universe, and about the center or edge
of the universe.
Follow the step-by-step instructions on the size
of the Solar System and create a model of our
system to scale on your backyard.
Read and learn the history of the theory of
geocentrism and the development of the
heliocentric theory.
Study the importance of Astronomy for the
culture, expansion, commerce and agriculture of
many ancient civilizations
Read information specific about the
development of astronomy by the Greeks
culminating in the publication of the Almagest
Reading 1.6
“Ancient Astronomy, Science and the Ancient
Greeks” - http://explorable.com/greek-astronomy
15 min
Multimedia 1.3
Software – Stellarium - http://www.stellarium.org/
Up to
45 min
by Ptolemy (geocentrism).
Read information about specific ancient Greek
astronomers and the theory of geocentrism they
helped develop.
Explore and play with a free, all platform,
planetarium software that puts you back in
ancient times to see the sky the way past
civilizations did. Also move time forward and
travel all around the world to see the sky from
different perspective on Earth.
Lesson 2: Discuss the development and contributions by multiple scientists to the field of
Astronomy and the theories that describe the Solar System. / Contributions / Scin281.C1.O1.L2
(SCIN 281 – .60)
Topic 1: Copernicus and the heliocentric model. – Examine the heliocentric theory
development and the ideas derived by Copernicus. / Copernicus / Scin281.C1.O1.L2.T1
Topic 2: Tycho and Kepler’s Laws – Examine the theory developed by Tycho and Kepler
and apply Kepler’s Laws of Motion to the Solar System. / Tycho and Kepler /
Scin281.C1.O1.L2.T2
Topic 3: Galileo leads the charge. – Examine the scientific discoveries by Galileo that lead
to a more accepted heliocentric model. / Galileo / Scin281.C1.O1.L2.T3
Topic 4: Newton and the Laws of Motion. – Discuss the additions to Astronomy by Newton
and apply Newton’s expansion of Kepler’s laws to any solar system. / Newton /
Scin281.C1.O1.L2.T4
Topic Mastery: Use the provided data and apply Kepler’s laws to derive properties of the
objects in the data. Calculate Mass of the system, period of rotation and sizes of orbits for
the planets in the data. / Mastery / Scin281.C1.O1.L2.TM
Content
Description
Time
Reading 1.1
The Cosmic Perspective, Bennett, Donahue,
Schneider and Voit, 978-0-321-91861-1,
Chapters 3-4
120
min
Activity 1.1
TED ed video – “Newton’s 3 Laws, with a
bicycle- Joshua Manley”http://ed.ted.com/lessons/joshua-manleynewton-s-3-laws-with-a-bicycle#review
“Heliocentric Model” http://www.universetoday.com/33113/heliocent
ric-model/
“Nicolaus Copernicus and the Heliocentric
Model” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJt_GVjyBs
4
TED ed video – “Newton’s Laws of Motion” -
25 min
Reading 1.2
Multimedia 1.1
Discussion 1.1
20 min
3 min
5 min
Notes
With this reading students will become familiar
with scientific theories and scientific thinking,
cultural significance of astronomy, the
development of astronomy from the Greeks to
Copernicus, Tycho, Kepler and Galileo. Also this
reading will familiarize students with the
difference between a scientific theory and law and
other theories based on pseudoscience.
Furthermore the reading will help students
understand Newton’s Laws of Motion,
conservation of energy and momentum,
gravitation, and the causes of tides.
Watch this video to see live examples of Newton’s
laws of motion using a bicycle and a bicycle wheel
to explain all 3 laws.
Read this article to get an in depth description of
Copernicus and his proposal of a sun centered
universe.
Watch this short video to get a quick history of the
heliocentric model and its origins.
Extra resource to watch that teaches the students
Reading 1.3
Reading 1.4
Reading 1.5
Reading 1.6
Multimedia 1.3
http://ed.ted.com/on/SrJgbVlm#review
“The Copernican Model: A Sun- Centered
Solar System” http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/retrogr
ade/copernican.html
eBook – “Kepler”http://books.google.com/books?id=0r68pggBS
bgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Kepler&hl=en&s
a=X&ei=DVrTUrPjJMHmoATn_oCACA&ved=0
CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
“Johannes Kepler and the New Astronomy” http://books.google.com/books?id=E2vkwtVfaz
0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Kepler&hl=en&sa
=X&ei=DVrTUrPjJMHmoATn_oCACA&ved=0C
DIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
eBook – “Kepler’s Physical Astronomy” http://books.google.com/books?id=pxCYAeOq
Jg8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Kepler&hl=en&
sa=X&ei=DVrTUrPjJMHmoATn_oCACA&ved=
0CEoQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
“Biography of Galileo” http://www.biography.com/people/galileo9305220
15 min
200
min
the intricacies of Newton’s Laws of Motion.
Read this article for a detailed and in depth
explanation of Copernicus’ heliocentric model, its
advantages and misleading conclusions due to lack
of data.
This reading will inform students of the life and
history of Kepler as an astronomer. It will also
allow students to understand what lead Kepler to
revolutionize Astronomy.
230
min
This reading will allow students to get an in depth
version of the accounts that Tycho and Kepler
dealt with and the differences in the perspectives of
each scientist although they worked together.
500
min
Selected chapters in this book will show students
the descriptions and uses of Kepler’s Laws of
Planetary Motion and why they work so well in the
Solar System alone.
25 min
This resource contains both videos and reading that
allow students to understand the world Galileo
lived in, the man himself and his debunking of the
roadblocks preventing the heliocentric theory from
becoming widely accepted. The reading also will
show the struggle Galileo had to go through with
the authorities at the time for his scientific
discoveries.
Alternative Materials:



Article – “Kepler’s Laws” - http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/kepler.html
Article – “Galileo: the Telescope and the Laws of Dynamics” http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/history/galileo.html
Article – “Towards a New World Model” - http://zebu.uoregon.edu/disted/ph121/l3.html
Lesson 3: Summarize the two main properties of telescopes and analyze the electromagnetic
spectrum and the different kinds of light. / Telescopes / Scin281.C1.O1.L3 (SCIN 281 – .60)
Topic 1: The electromagnetic spectrum. – Investigate the spectrum and the main properties
of light: wavelength, frequency and speed. / EM Spectrum / Scin281.C1.O1.L3.T1
Topic 2: Reflectors and Refractors. – State the differences between the two main type of
telescope and judge which is the more useful kind for future astronomers. / Types of
Telescopes / Scin281.C1.O1.L3.T2
Topic 3: Properties of telescopes. – Analyze the 2 main properties of telescopes and assess
the usefulness of each. / Properties / Scin281.C1.O1.L3.T3
Topic 4: Observing invisible light. – Debate the best ways to observe non visible forms of
radiation and the need for space missions. / Invisible Light / Scin281.C1.O1.L3.T4
Topic Mastery: Research, compare and contrast the properties of two existing astronomical
facilities (ground based or space) and of the future James Webb Space Telescope. State the
properties of each and one major discovery by the existing facilities. (can include pictures). /
Mastery / Scin281.C1.O1.L3.TM
Content
Reading 1.1
Description
The Cosmic Perspective, Bennett, Donahue,
Time
120
Notes
With this reading students will get a better
Schneider and Voit, 978-0-321-91861-1,
Chapters 5-6
min
TED ed video – “Electromagnetic Spectrum
Basics” http://ed.ted.com/on/R7s7afvG#review
“How Telescopes Work” http://www.howstuffworks.com/telescope.htm
45 min
Multimedia 1.1
TED ed video – “The Electromagnetic
Spectrum” http://ed.ted.com/on/KxnyWuzI#review
10 min
Discussion 1.1
Website – “James Webb Space Telescope” http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/
10 min
Reading 1.3
“Choosing Your First Telescope” http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/howto
equipment/3304526.html
15 min
Reading 1.4
“How Radio Telescopes Work” http://www.nrao.edu/index.php/learn/radioastro
nomy/radiotelescopes
TED talk – “Around the World in 80
Telescopes” http://blog.ted.com/2009/04/03/around_the_wo
rl/
15 min
Activity 1.1
Reading 1.2
Multimedia 1.3
25 min
25 min
understanding of the interaction of light and matter,
the properties of light as a wave and as a particle,
the structure of atoms and isotopes, Doppler effect,
different kinds of spectra, and the way energy is
stored in atoms to make a “fingerprint” used to
identify composition of astronomical objects. Also
students will understand how cameras and
telescopes work, the properties of telescopes, the
different types of experiments telescopes are used
for and the reasoning behind ground-based vs.
space-based observatories.
Watch this TED video and play with the activity to
gather information related to the electromagnetic
spectrum and its uses.
Read this article to gain knowledge on the reasons
why a telescope is such an important astronomical
tool by studying the properties and the way they
work.
With this TED video students will gain a deeper
appreciation for the properties of the EM spectrum
and answer some basic questions on how it affects
their daily lives.
Resource website to get informed about new and
upcoming NASA missions to place telescopes in
space. In this case specifically about James Webb
Space Telescope.
Another resource website to help the students
navigate the complicated market of telescopes so
they make a better and informed purchase in case
of their interest in buying one.
In this article students will learn the specifics about
how radio telescopes work and how can they be
improved with the use of interferometry.
Short video explaining the current and some future
telescopes used by astronomers to do different
kinds of astronomy, from gamma ray to radio
astronomy.
Competency 2: Study the steps of formation of a solar system and the properties of all the objects that
make our System (planetology). / Planetology / Scin281.C2
Objective 1: Research the steps involved in the formation of any solar system and the properties of the
planets and their atmospheres. / Planet Formation / Scin281.C2.O1
Lesson 1: List the steps involved in the formation and evolution of the Solar System. /Formation
and Evol / Scin281.C2.O1.L1 (SCIN 281 – .60)
Topic 1: Description of the Solar System. – State the characteristics of our solar system.
Focus on differences between the objects that make up the solar system. /Solar System /
Scin281.C2.O1.L1.T1
Topic 2: Nebular Theory of Formation. – List the steps involved in the Nebular Theory. /
Nebular Theory / Scin281.C2.O1.L1.T2
Topic 3: The formation of planets. – Outline the steps by which the different kinds of
planets formed. / Formation Steps / Scin281.C2.O1.L1.T3
Topic Mastery: Outline and summarize the steps involved in the formation of a system and
the properties that hinder such development. Write a 5 page paper with your descriptions. /
Mastery / Scin281.C2.O1.L1.TM
Content
Description
Time
Reading 1.1
The Cosmic Perspective, Bennett, Donahue,
Schneider and Voit, 978-0-321-91861-1,
Chapters 7-9
120
min
Activity 1.1
“Solar Nebular Theory”–
http://www.universetoday.com/72589/solarnebula-theory/
“The Origin of the Solar System” –
http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/solarsy
s/nebular.html
“The Nebular Theory” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCZc92vs80
Y
Video – “Why is the Solar System Flat?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmNXKqeUt
JM
“Nebular Hypothesis” –
http://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/ast
ronomy-terms/nebular-hypothesis-info.htm
– “The Boundaries of Astronomy” – Pages
239-249 http://books.google.com/books?id=vSoDAAAA
MBAJ&pg=PA246&dq=Nebular+Theory&hl=en
&sa=X&ei=yF_TUpecK8TCoATRmIHYBA&ved
=0CFIQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=Nebular%20T
heory&f=false
10 min
Video – “Why the Solar System can exist” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhS8K4gFu
4s
3 min
Reading 1.2
Multimedia 1.1
Discussion 1.1
Reading 1.3
Reading 1.4
Multimedia 1.3
20 min
4 min
4 min
20 min
45 min
Notes
Read these chapters to gain knowledge on the state
of our solar system, the differences in planets,
human exploration of the system, properties of the
Nebular Theory, formation of the system,
formation of the planets, and formation of asteroids
and comets.
Read this to achieve a better perspective into the
current theory that explains the formation of our
solar system.
Article delineating the collapsing of gas clouds to
form stars and planets and its relation to the
Nebular theory.
Watch this video to learn about and visualize the
Nebular theory and comparative planetology.
Video explanation of the disk flattening that
happens in the formation of a solar system due to
friction amongst the rock and gas particles.
Read this article to understand the conclusions of
the Nebular Hypothesis and some modifications
needed to make it fit all systems.
Read part of this book which explains the origins
of the Nebular Theory.
Another video resource to explain the reason why
planets stay in orbit due to the effects of gravity
from the Sun.
Lesson 2: Examine the properties of planets, satellites, asteroids, comets and the Sun. /Planet
Properties / Scin281.C1.O1.L1 (SCIN 281 – .60)
Topic 1: The interior and atmospheres of the terrestrial planets. – Explore the geology and
atmospheres of terrestrial planets with a focus of the properties and composition of the
different layers. / Terrestrial / Scin281.C2.O1.L2.T1
Topic 2: The Jovian systems and satellites. – Explore the interiors of Jovian planets and the
geology of some of their satellites. / Jovian / Scin281.C2.O1.L2.T2
Topic 3: Dwarf planets, asteroids and comets. – Compare and contrast the formation of
dwarf planets vs. planets and between asteroids and comets. State the general properties of
each type of object. / Dwarf Planets / Scin281.C2.O1.L2.T3
Topic 4: The Sun. Examine the properties of the Sun and the process by which it creates
energy. / Sun / Scin281.C2.O1.L2.T4
Topic 5: Other planetary systems. Compare our Solar System to other solar systems in our
galaxy. / Extrasola r/ Scin281.C2.O1.L2.T5
Topic Mastery: Describe the differences between the 2 main types of planet and compare
this to what we see in extra solar planets. / Mastery / Scin281.C2.O1.L2.TM
Content
Description
Time
Reading 1.1
The Cosmic Perspective, Bennett, Donahue,
Schneider and Voit, 978-0-321-91861-1,
Chapters 10-14, 24
120
min
Activity 1.1
Table – “Comparison of the Terrestrial and
Jovian Planets” http://www.uni.edu/morgans/astro/course/Note
s/section4/terrjov.html
“Terrestrial and Jovian Planets” –
http://astronomy.nju.edu.cn/~lixd/GA/AT4/AT4
06/HTML/AT40604.htm
“Terrestrial and Jovian Planets” http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/education/activit
ies/3113_origins_07.html
TED talk – “Brian: Cox: Why we need
explorers” http://www.ted.com/talks/brian_cox_why_we_n
eed_the_explorers.html
Video – “How the Sun Works: Fusion and
Quantum Tunneling” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS1dpowPl
E8
TED talk – “Freeman Dyson: Let’s Look for Life
in the Outer Solar System” http://www.ted.com/talks/freeman_dyson_says
_let_s_look_for_life_in_the_outer_solar_syste
m.html
5 min
Reading 1.2
Discussion 1.1
Multimedia 1.2
Multimedia 1.3
Multimedia 1.4
Notes
Read these chapters to gain knowledge in the
geology of terrestrial planets, geologic properties
of planetary surfaces, atmospheres of terrestrial
and atmosphere and interiors of Jovian planets,
contrast between weather and climate, Jovian
satellites, Jovian ring systems, asteroids and
comets, Kuiper belt objects, ways and techniques
to find extra solar planets, properties of extra solar
planets, properties of the Sun, nuclear fusion, and
the connection and future for the Earth and the
Sun.
Table explaining the different properties of Jovian
and terrestrial planets.
15 min
Read to gather more information on comparative
planetology.
15 min
Extra resource that contains information on
terrestrial and Jovian planets.
20 min
Watch this video to learn how human exploration
of the Solar System has led to great scientific
discoveries and advances in technology.
3 min
Watch this video and understand the way the Sun
produces energy through nuclear fusion and the
effects working against it.
25 min
Video that explains the search for extraterrestrial
like in the outer Solar System in any form,
bacterial or multi-cell.
Alternative Materials:




TED talk – “Dimitar Sasselov: How We Found Hundreds of Potential Earth-like Planets” http://www.ted.com/talks/dimitar_sasselov_how_we_found_hundreds_of_potential_earth_like_pla
nets.html
TED talk – “Lucianne Walkowicz: Finding Planets Around Other Starts” http://www.ted.com/talks/lucianne_walkowicz_finding_planets_around_other_stars.html
Video – “The Dwarf Planets and Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs)” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHr3kIF9H7E
TED talk – “Carolyn Porco: This is Saturn” http://www.ted.com/talks/carolyn_porco_flies_us_to_saturn.html