Course title

Pre-requisite

Course description

Astronomy 1-2

Course Prefix: AST
Two-semester course; grade level 11-12
Pre-requisites: Algebra 3-4; two years of high school science
Meets the DVUSD and Arizona Science Standards graduation requirement
Meets laboratory science admission requirement of Arizona Universities (pending)

Astronomy 1-2 investigates topics in the science of astronomy including the history of the science; telescopes and the physics of light; constellations; Earth-Moon-Sun dynamics; structure and origin of the Solar System; properties of stars and stellar evolution; galaxies; origin and structure of the Universe; and the history of space exploration and the role of NASA. This course incorporates topics from other sciences such as physics; geology; chemistry; and biology throughout the study.

Course Syllabus

Course Objectives

1. Apply critical thinking strategies using imperical data and the scientific method in the classroom and lab settings.
2. Apply physical concepts to the understanding of astronomical phenomenon.
3. Describe and outline the history of astronomy.
4. Describe and apply various aspects of the electromagnetic spectrum.
5. Describe the various types of telescopes and scientific instruments used in the measurement of astronomical phenomenon.
6. Describe the physical motions of the Earth-Moon system.
7. Describe the overall structure of the solar system.
8. Describe in detail the various physical and geological aspects of the planets.
9. Describe the minor components of the solar system.
10. Explain possible models of solar system formation.
11. Describe the physical properties of the Sun.
12. Compare solar system dimensions with nearby stars dimensions.
13. Explain what information can be obtained by spectral analysis.
14. Explain various techniques used to provide estimates of some fundamental properties of stars.
15. Explain binary star systems and star clusters.
16. Discuss the significance of the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram.
17. Describe the composition of the interstellar medium and its effects on radiation.
18. List the possible steps in the formation of stars.
19. Describe the birth; life; and death of both low-mass stars and high-mass stars.
20. Describe the final remnants of both low-mass stars and high-mass stars.
21. Describe the contents and structure of the Milky Way Galaxy.
22. Describe the classification and distribution of galaxies.
23. Discuss the significance of Hubble’s Law.
24. Describe the possible models which account for active galaxies.
25. Describe current cosmological models and their implications on the past and the future.

Topics

History of astronomy
Modern astronomy
Motion of Sun and Stars
Earth Motions
The Moon; Tides; and Lunar Phases
The Elecrtromagnetic Spectrum and Optics
Properties of Telescopes
Types of Optical Telescopes
Non-visible Wavelength Telescopes
Observatories in Space
Constellations and the Celestial Sphere
Star Charts
Celestial coordinates
Origin of the Solar System
Components of the Solar System and its structure
The Sun
The Inner Planets (Mercury; Venus; Earth; and Mars)
The Outer Planets (Jupiter; Saturn; Uranus; and Neptune)
The Asteroid Belt
The Kuiper Belt; and Oort Cloud
Dwarf Planets and other planetoids
Stars
Measuring the properties of stars
Parallax
Absolute and apparent magnitudes
Inverse-square law
Spectral classifications
Binary stars
Classification of stars
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
Variable stars
Stellar evolution and formation
Nebular theory
Main sequence stars
Giant stars
Supergiant stars
Black holes; neutron stars; and pulsars
Galaxies
Discovering galaxies
Measuring properties of galaxies
Galaxy clusters
Cosmology and observations of the Universe
Evolution of the Universe; its shape; and current theories
History of Space Exploration
Early space exploration; World War II – Germany
NASA and The Space Race
The Apollo Missions
Space Stations and the Space shuttle program

Lab Objectives

1. Apply the scientific method and other critical thinking models to astronomical phenomena for hypotheses development; experimental design; data acquisition and data analysis.
2. Demonstrate ability to follow directions in completing laboratory exercises.
3. Demonstrate ability to properly and safely use laboratory tools; e.g. calculators; computers; rulers; telescopes; photometers; maps; etc. for data acquisition; data analysis or simulation.
4. Demonstrate ability to work effectively in collaborative groups.
5. Demonstrate the ability to analyze data by creating charts and graphs. graphs.
6. Demonstrate analytical reasoning and problem-solving ability in a laboratory setting.
7. Present accurate and meaningful project reports analyzing experiments; both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Lab Syllabus

The Scientific Method and Data Collection
Planispheres
The Constellations The Analemma
Astronomical Measurements
Distance Measures
Electromagnetic Radiation
Spectral Analysis
Kepler’s Laws
Optics
Telescopes
Crater Impacts
Lunar Topography
The Galilean Moons of Jupiter
Discovery of Neptune
Build a Comet
The Rotation Rate of the Sun
Identifying Lines in the Solar Spectrum
Apparent Magnitudes
Stellar Motions / Absolute Magnitudes
Binary Stars
Spectral Classification of Stars Distances to Stars in Leo
Cepheid Variables
Distance to Hyades
Hubble Classification of Galaxies The_Expanding_Universe Hubble’s Law
The_SETI_Project
NIGHT TIME LAB WORK:
Independent Night Sky Activities: Students will complete each of the following night sky observation activities:
Fall; Winter; Spring; and Summer Constellations
Lunar Topography
Motion and Phases of the Moon
Apparent Motion of the Planets
Variable Star Observations – Delta Cephei (naked eye)
Globe at Night – measurement of light pollution
Astrophotography – star trail colors vs temperature (stellar classification)

PLANNED_FIELD_TRIPS:
Dorrance Planetarium and/or Scottsdale Community College Planetarium
Lowell Observatory and/or Kitt Peak Observatory

School country

School state

School city

School / district Address

School zip code

Date submitted

Approved

Approved competency code

• LPHY
• Physics

Approved date

Online / Virtual