ASTR-114 Elementary Astronomy Lab

Students learn to identify prominent stars and constellations and develop an understanding of basic astronomical measurements and calculations. Students explore measurements and calculations related to angular sizes, absolute and apparent magnitudes, stellar spectra, and sizes and motions of objects in our Solar System, our Galaxy, and beyond our Galaxy. Field trips, including at least one night-time observation, are required.

Credits

1

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in MATH-070. Pre- or corequisite: ASTR-104

Notes

If you have completed ASTR-104 or an equivalent course in a previous semester, please call the Science, Engineering, and Technology dean or the Admissions office for a course waiver.

Hours Weekly

2 hours lab weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Identify prominent stars and major constellations in the night sky.
2. 2. Analyze potential sources of error or uncertainty in astronomical measurements and evaluate
   the reasonableness of claims based on these measurements.
3. 3. Calculate the sizes, distances, and motions/apparent motions of objects in our Solar System
   from astronomical observations.
4. 4. Identify absorption, emission, and blackbody spectra and analyze each spectrum to
   determine characteristics of a celestial body.
5. 5. Explain the difference between absolute and apparent magnitude and use magnitude
   measurements to calculate stellar distances.
6. 6. Analyze measurements of objects outside our Solar System to determine characteristics of
   our Galaxy and of the Universe beyond our Galaxy.
7. 7. Apply basic algebra and trigonometry to common astronomical equations and diagrams to
   solve problems regarding distances, angular sizes, or temperatures.
8. 8. Prepare a report summarizing evidence and claims related to a topic of interest using
   appropriate symbols notation and vocabulary.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Identify prominent stars and major constellations in the night sky.
2. 2. Analyze potential sources of error or uncertainty in astronomical measurements and evaluate
   the reasonableness of claims based on these measurements.
3. 3. Calculate the sizes, distances, and motions/apparent motions of objects in our Solar System
   from astronomical observations.
4. 4. Identify absorption, emission, and blackbody spectra and analyze each spectrum to
   determine characteristics of a celestial body.
5. 5. Explain the difference between absolute and apparent magnitude and use magnitude
   measurements to calculate stellar distances.
6. 6. Analyze measurements of objects outside our Solar System to determine characteristics of
   our Galaxy and of the Universe beyond our Galaxy.
7. 7. Apply basic algebra and trigonometry to common astronomical equations and diagrams to
   solve problems regarding distances, angular sizes, or temperatures.
8. 8. Prepare a report summarizing evidence and claims related to a topic of interest using
   appropriate symbols notation and vocabulary.