GSCI 302: General Astronomy
GSCI 302: General Astronomy
Professor: Dr. Jason Best
Office: Byrd Science Center 115
Office Hours: MWF 9a-11a
Required Text: 21st Century Astronomy, by Jeff Hester et al.
Companion Website:21st Century Astronomy Companion Website
Course Overview: This is a descriptive course dealing
with the physical nature of the planets and stars as seen through
modern astronomy. The history of astronomical observation and
development of modern principles along with properties of
electromagnetic radiation and gravitation are included in the
course.
Course Objectives and Outcomes: I want students to be able to:
understand basic astronomical concepts and methods; understand cause
and effect relationships in astronomy; utilize charts, graphs, and
equations to represent functional relationships and explain their
meanings; analyze and solve problems in astronomy, and
develop insight into the nature of the Universe. Among the specific
content areas to be addressed are:
· science in theory and in practice. This includes defining the power
and limitations of scientific enterprises, the importance of science
in the modern world, techniques used by practicing scientists, and the
process of peer review as the mechanism of oversight and correction.
· the sky from a two-dimensional perspective. This includes
understanding apparent magnitudes, the celestial coordinate system,
lunar, solar, and planetary motions, and the specific interactions
among the Earth, Moon, and Sun (tides, lunar eclipses, and solar eclipses)
· the evolution of philosophical thought in astronomy. This includes
understanding the work of Aristotle, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Digges,
Galileo, Kepler, Newton and Einstein.
· the tools of astronomy. This includes understanding
the types of radiation generated by astronomical objects (including
the interaction between atoms and the radiation these atoms generate,
as well as the generation and use of the spectra of stars),
and the properties and limitations of the various telescopes and other
devices used to collect information from these astronomical objects.
· the planets. This includes understanding the origin of the solar
system as a whole, the physical properties of the individual planets,
the evolution of the various planets and solar system objects over
time, and the connection of these objects through comparative
planetology.
· the basic properties of stars. This includes understanding the techniques for
measuring distances, luminosity, size, the use of the HR Diagram in
categorization and interpretation, the mechanisms of formation and
the evolution over time, energy generation, lifetimes, and various end states (white dwarf, neutron
star, supernova).
· galactic astronomy. This includes understanding the
various components of galaxies, rotation curves, the elemental
building process, the mechanisms of classification, a comparative
examination of the different and similar properties of the various
galactic types, and the effect of clustering on these properties.
· theoretical and observational cosmology. This includes understanding
the various physical models of the origin of the Universe, the linking
of quantum theory to general relativity, and the subsequent evolution
of the Universe from its initial state.
· astrobiology. This includes an understanding of the physical basis of
life, the geological calendar, habitable worlds, and the mechanisms of
communications with such potentially inhabited worlds.
Observing Projects Useful Links
[PDF] "Intorducing the Lunar 100" article from Sky and Telescope
[URL] Astronomical Applications Department
of the U.S. Naval Observatory
[URL] The Lunar Republic Society Full Moon Atlas