Big Topics on the final astronomy exam
The successful student will be able to…
The Sun
Describe the Sun in terms of a 2-layer model
The Sun’s Source of Power
Describe, in an essay, how the Sun produces energy by
Describing the Net proton-proton chain reaction,
Defining the symbols in the reaction,
Stating the origin of the symbols in the reaction,
Discuss the significance of mass loss in the p-p chain,
Describe the process of thermalization of gamma rays in the Sun and state its significance.
Stellar Nomenclature
Compare and contrast stellar properties (m, M, d, ST, LC ) from a list of stars (e.g. constellation handouts)
Utilize the HR to identify a star’s luminosity, temperature, radius (and mass if it is a main sequence star).
Problems
Apply Wien’s Law to find the temperature of a star or its wavelength of maximum emission.
Use the Stefan-Boltzmann Law to determine the luminosity, radius or temperature of a star compared to the Sun.
Solve stellar parallax problems
Write or identify the definition of the stellar motion term “Proper Motion”
Describe or identify types of binary stars.
Star Formation
Describe the physical characteristics of a giant molecular cloud
Identify the source of heating (energy production) in proto-stars
Explain why more low-mass K & M main sequence stars form rather than the high-mass O & B stars.
List the mass limits of stars and explain why these limits apply.
Describe the processes and stages of star formation from a giant molecular cloud to an open cluster.
Identify in a photograph the following objects: a GMC, Bok Globule, OB Association, HII region, Open Cluster
Describe the t-Tauri wind.
Interpret the physical changes of a forming star on an HR diagram.
Identify and define the ZAMS line on an HR diagram.
Describe the relationship between OB associations and HII regions.
Main Sequence Stars
List or identify the luminosity, mass, temperature, and lifetime of an O main sequence star, the Sun and an M
main sequence star.
Describe or identify changes in a star during its main sequence lifetime.
Giant Stars
Describe how shell fusion in a star causes the star to become giants.
Mass loss and Death of Low-Mass Stars
Match the stage of the Sun’s future evolution with the mechanism of energy production in that stage.
Identify on an HR diagram the stage of the Sun’s evolution and its mechanism of energy production.
List in chronological order the mechanisms of energy production in Sun-like stars.
List in chronological order the stages of evolution in Sun-like stars.
Describe the relation between the Helium Flash and the creation of a planetary nebula.
Describe the components and characteristics of a planetary nebula.
Old age and Death of Massive Stars
List the differences in energy production between low-mass stars and high-mass stars.
Describe the interior structure of a high-mass star near the end of its lifetime.
Identify the types of stars that will experience a core-collapse (Type II) supernova.
Identify the composition of the core of a star about to experience a core-collapse (Type II) supernova.
Describe two reasons why type II supernovas are very useful standard candles.
Describe the impact of supernovas on the chemical evolution of the universe.
Problems
Determine the combined mass of a binary star system.
Gravity
State the law of gravity in words and in an equation
State the significance of a low value of G
Use the orbital velocity relation to answer questions regarding the orbital velocity of objects
Galactic Structure
Correctly interpret the distribution of objects on the sky in terms of our location within their true distribution
List or identify the principle components of the Milky Way galaxy
State the physical dimensions of the Milky Way galaxy
Describe the origin of 21-cm radiation
Describe and interpret the Galactic Rotation Curve
Describe the evidence for a supermassive black hole at the galactic center
Recognize the various types of galaxies according to the Hubble classification scheme
State the signs of a galactic collision
State the different origins of dwarf elliptical galaxies and giant elliptical galaxies.
Describe the Hubble Deep Field image and its relevance regarding the evolution of galaxy types
The Apparent Motion of the Stars
Draw and label the celestial sphere for an observer at any latitude,
Draw the apparent motion of stars as seen by any observer looking North, East, South or West at any location in
the northern hemisphere.
Use celestial coordinates of Right Ascension and Declination appropriately in written work and problem solving,
Use the 2-D celestial sphere diagram to determine the visibility of an object and its maximum altitude, given its
declination at any latitude on the Earth,
Describe in words and using the Whole Sky Map, developed in class, the annual motion of the Sun eastward
through the stars along the ecliptic defining and identifying the special points on the ecliptic (solstices and
equinoxes),
Describe quantitatively the apparent daily motion of the Sun on an equinox or solstice from any latitude (where
sun rise occurs, maximum altitude of the Sun, where sun set occurs, and the length of daylight) using the
simplified celestial sphere diagram,
Describe the location of sunrise and sunset along the horizon for any given day of the year.
Describe how the maximum altitude of the Sun depends on day of the year.
Explain why the solar day is different from the sidereal day.
Describe how day length varies depending on whether the Sun is above, on, or below the celestial equator.
The Lunar Cycles
Describe the daily and monthly apparent motion of the Moon and its relationship to the Zodiac.
Draw and interpret lunar phases and the Moon’s relationship to the Sun at each principle phase.
Name the phase of the Moon from a photograph of the Moon.
Estimate the number of days between lunar phases.
Rank images of the Moon in different phases in order of occurrence first to last.
Characterize the Moon’s apparent motion given its phase and the time of year.
Associate the phase of the Moon with its planetary configuration.
Explain why the lunar sidereal period is different than the time for a cycle of lunar phases.
Planets the Wandering Stars
Describe the characteristics of the inferior and superior planets as regards their apparent motion in the sky.
(Motion, elongation, configuration while retrograde…)
Work with and identify planetary configurations of opposition, conjunction, quadrature and maximum elongation.