Astronomy 50 Class Schedule, Readings, and Homework Assignments
(Check frequently for updates)
| Week | Topics | Laboratory | Reading | Homework/Activities | |
| 1 Apr | Introduction
Laws of Motion Gravity and Orbits Tidal Forces |
Lab Sections DO NOT Meet | Ch. 1
Online Interactive Powers of Ten Java Tutorial Scale of the Universe Visualization Read Ch. 3, p. 66-70: Kepler's 3 Laws (Skim rest of Ch. 3) Ch. 4.1-4.4 Ch. 4.5 Online Astronomy Notes about Orbital Motion Mathematics Reference from astronomynotes.com |
Use the Mastering Astronomy online homework system unless otherwise indicated.
Intro due Wednesday, April 3 10:15am Assignment 1 due Thursday, April 4 6:00pm Assignment 2 due Friday, April 5 at 6:00pm On your own, do the Text online self-guided tutorials Motion and Gravity (Click on link, or go to Study Area in Mastering Astronomy site, then Self-Guided Tutorials, then Motion and Gravity ) Assignment 3 due Mon April 8 at 10:15am Tutorial: Orbits and Kepler's Laws |
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| 8 Apr | Energy
Atoms and Light Overview of the Solar System Quiz 1: Friday, April 12 (Covers material through Assignment 4) |
Lab sections meet
Readings helpful for lab material |
Ch. 5
Helpful web pages about light: Properties of Light The Production of Light: Continuous Spectrum Absorption and Emission Spectra How Atoms Produce Spectra The Absorption/Emission Line Spectra for the Periodic Table Ch. 7.1-7.2 |
Assignment 4 due Wed April 10 at 10:15am Tutorial: Energy Assignment 5 due Monday, April 15, 10:15am Tutorial: Light and Spectroscopy Also for Monday, complete this "Overview of the Solar System" classwork on your own:
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| 15 Apr | Atoms and Light (cont'd)
The Solar Nebula: Formation of the Solar System Radioactive Decay: Dating the Solar System Observatory Open House Thursday, April 18, 8:30-10pm Will be cancelled if cloudy - call the Observatory Hotline x7100 to check. |
Lab sections meet Phobos/Deimos Link |
Ch. 2, p. 28-29 (Angular Size, Physical Size, and Distance) Doppler Effect Animation of Doppler Effect on Spectra Ch. 8 |
Assignment 6 due Wednesday, April 17, 10:15am Assignment 7 due Friday, April 19, 10:15am Also for Friday, April 17, do these tutorials: Formation of the Solar System and Doppler Effect Assignment 8 due Monday, April 22, 10:15am |
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| 22 Apr | Planetary Geology: Interiors and Cooling
Plate Tectonics Magnetic Fields Impact Cratering Quiz 2: Friday, April 26 Observatory Open House: Saturn Opposition Party Sunday, April 28, 9:30-10:30pm Will be cancelled if cloudy - call the Observatory Hotline x7100 to check. |
Labs do not meet | Ch. 9.1-9.3, 9.6
Planet Interior Summary (from astronomynotes.com) Magnetic Fields Summary Modeling the Earth's Magnetic Field Today's Space Weather |
Assignment 9 due Wednesday, April 24, 10:15am
Also for Wednesday, April 24, do this tutorial: Shaping Planetary Surfaces Assignment 10 due Monday, April 29, 10:15am |
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| 29 Apr |
Planetary Geology: Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars
Planetary Atmospheres |
Lab sections meet | Ch 9.4-9.5
Messenger misson to Mercury Mars Rover Mission Ch. 10.1-10.6 |
Assignment 11 due Wednesday, May 1, 10:15am
Assignment 12 due Friday, May 3, 10:15am Also for Friday, May 3, do this tutorial: Surface Temperatures of Terrestrial Planets Assignment 13 due Monday, May 6, 10:15am |
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| 6 May |
Planetary Weather and Climate
Midterm: Wednesday, May 8 Review Session: Tuesday, May 7, 4:30pm in classroom Friday, May 10: Steinmetz Symposium; class does not meet. |
Labs do not meet | Ch. 10.2
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Assignment 14 due Monday, May 13, 10:15am | |
| 13 May |
Jovian Planets Jovian Satellites and Rings Observatory Open House Thursday May 16, 8:45-10:30pm Will be cancelled if cloudy - call the Observatory Hotline x7100 to check. |
Lab sections do not meet | Ch. 11.1, 11.2, 11.3 | Assignment 15 due Wednesday, May 15, 10:15am
Assignment 16 due Friday, May 17, 10:15am Assignment 17 due Monday, May 20, 10:15am |
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| 20 May |
Jovian Satellites and Rings Asteroids, Comets Quiz 3: Friday, May 24 |
Lab sections meet | Ch. 11.2-11.3
Ch. 12.1, 12.2, 12.4 Meteor Page at NinePlanets.org Meteor Showers: Current Activity and Yearly Summary Stardust Mission Dawn Mission to Vesta and Ceres |
Assignment 18 due Wednesday, May 22, 10:15am
Assignment 19 due Monday, May 27, 10:15am |
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| 27 May |
Dwarf Planets
The Search for Other Planetary Systems |
Labs sections meet | Ch. 12.3, Ch. 13.1
Dwarf Planet Page Pluto and Eris Impact Craters on Earth NASA's Asteroid and Comet Impact Hazard Page Solar System Impact Crater Simulator NASA Planet Quest Animation of Motion of Sun due to Various Planets Kepler Mission Terrestrial Planet Finder Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia NASA's Planet Quest |
Assignment 20 due Wednesday, May 29, 10:15am Assignment 21 due Friday, May 31, 10:15am Also for Friday, complete Tutorial Detecting Extrasolar Planets | |
| 3 Jun | Extrasolar Planets
Life in the Universe Quiz 4: Monday, June 3 |
Labs do not meet | Ch. 13
Ch. 24 (emphasis on topics discussed in class) Animation of Searching for Earth-Like Planets Stromatolites: the Oldest Fossils The Drake Equation Join the Search for an Extraterrestrial Signal Using Your PC! |
Assignment 22 due Friday, June 7, 10:15am | |
| 10 Jun | Final: Wed Jun 12, 8:30-10:30am |
Possible Essay Questions for Final | Review Session: Tuesday, June 11, 4:00pm, classroom |
Last Updated: June 7, 2013