ASTR-131: Descriptive Astronomy

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain why astronomers use two primary coordinate systems.
2. Describe the difference between the two primary Astronomical Coordinate Systems (Local-Horizon and Equatorial).
3. Determine the Local-Horizon coordinates of an object in the sky.
4. Explain the cause of the Seasons.
5. Explain the cause of the Phases of the Moon.
6. Predict Moon phases based on the relative locations of the Sun, Earth and Moon.
7. Predict the rising and setting times for various Lunar Phases based on the relative locations of the Sun, Moon, Earth and the location of an observer on Earth.
8. Explain the phenomena of Solar and Lunar Eclipses.
9. Categorize a Solar Eclipse as either Partial, Total or Annular.
10. Categorize a Lunar Eclipse as either Partial, Penumbral or Total.
11. Describe the contributions made to the science of Astronomy by several important figures including Ptolemy, Nicholas Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, Galileo and Isaac Newton
12. Describe the overall structure of the Solar System.
13. Explain the process of solar system formation using the concepts of gravity, conservation of angular momentum and condensation.
14. Categorize a planet as either Terrestrial or Jovian, given some of its major characteristics.
15. Cite the primary attributes of Terrestrial Planets, Jovian Planets, Minor Planets, Asteroids, and Comets.
16. Distinguish Meteoroids, Meteors and Meteorites.
17. Describe the various characteristics of Light Waves, including terms such as wavelength, frequency, energy and amplitude.
18. Describe the concepts of Reflection and Refraction.
19. Explain why lenses and mirrors are used in telescopes.
20. Contrast and Compare Refractor and Reflector Telescopes.
21. Identify the important optical components of a Refractor Telescope and a Reflector Telescope.
22. Explain the concept of the Doppler Shift.
23. Explain how atoms absorb and emit light.
24. Distinguish the three basic types of spectra (Thermal, Absorption and Emission).
25. Describe the basic structure of the atom and how it is responsible, through Nuclear Fusion, for powering the Sun.
26. Name the various layers of the Sun from the core to the corona and solar wind.
27. Explain, in general terms, the methods used for stellar classification.
28. Identify a star's type based on its location on the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram.
29. Describe the process of stellar evolution and the role that mass plays in the life cycle of a star.
30. Explain how Neutron Stars, Pulsars and Black Holes are formed.
31. Discuss the scale of the Milky Way Galaxy and compare to that of the Solar System.
32. Categorize a galaxy as either Spiral, Barred-Spiral, Elliptical or Irregular.
33. Name the theory that explain the Origin, Structure and Fate of the Universe.
34. Cite the major epochs in the evolution of the Universe.
35. Interpret stellar motion plots and infer the structure of extra-solar planetary systems.
36. Compare and contrast the various major methods used to detect extra-solar planets.
37. Employ the Drake Equation to estimate the number of communicative civilizations in our galaxy.
38. State the current status of the search for extra-solar planets.
39. Paraphrase the objectives of the SETI Institute.
40. Assess whether given statements are scientific in nature or pseudoscientific (for example, distinguish astronomy from astrology.)