AST101 UC - Our Corner of the Universe- Fall 2006

Note: the schedule, list of topics and associated bibliographic references are subject to change; this page might not reflect those changes. Check with the instructor when in doubt.
Last up-date: 8/28/06

See www.astronomyplace.com for tutorials and other resources. Additional on-line resources are given at AST101UC.06Fall/resources.html.

Click on the highlighted "Topic" for a summary of the lecture, reading and homework assignments, and laboratory preparatory work.

Meeting times and location: Wednesdays 6-8:45 pm in Stolkin Auditorium, Physics Building; laboratory/recitation: B129E, 8:45 pm - 10 pm.

Date		Topic	Bibliographic References & Lab
8/30/06	Class 1	Overview of our Place in the Universe: the birth and evolution of the Universe Elementary Observations: The Night Sky	Reading: p. 1-32 Exercises
9/6/06	Class 2	Elementary Observations: The seasons, the phases of the Moon, and the apparent motion of planets in the sky	Reading: p. 33-51 LAB: Lunar Phases I/Sunset Point/Astronomy Go-Round
9/13/06	Class 3	From Ancient to Modern Astronomy The Physics of Astronomy: Newton's laws	Reading: p.52-84 LAB: Lunar Phases II/Star Diary
9/20/06	Class 4	The Physics of Astronomy: Newton's gravitational law; electromagnetic radiation (light)	Reading: p. 85-110 LAB: Sky at Night
9/27/06	Class 5	The Physics of Astronomy: electromagnetic radiation in astronomy	Reading: p.110-129 LAB: Measurements
10/4/06	Class 6	The Solar System: overview; formation	Reading: p.130-151 Review
10/11/06	Class 7	Mid-term Exam I	Exam is on material covered in Class 1-6
10/18/06	Class 8	Formation of Planets The Terrestrial Planets: the Earth	Reading: p. 151-180 LAB: Earth Orbits
10/25/06	Class 9	The Terrestrial Planets: Mercury and the Moon, Mars, and Venus	Reading: p.180-209 LAB: Scale Model of the Solar System
11/1/06	Class 10	The Jovian Planets	Reading: p.210-235 Exercises LAB: Lunar Photographs and Topography
11/8/06	Class 11	Asteroids, Comets and Pluto	Reading: p.236-256 LAB: Kepler's Law and Jupiter's Moons
11/15/06	Class 12	The Sun	Reading: p.257-277 Review
11/22/06	No Class	Thanksgiving Holiday
11/29/06	Class 13	Mid-Term Exam II	Exam is on material covered in class 8 - 12
12/6/06	Class 14	Element of Astrobiology: life in the Universe	Reading: p.455-488 Review

Final Exam: December 13, at the same time as the regularly scheduled class, i.e. 6 pm in Stolkin Auditorium