1;95;0c Introduction to Astronomy: Timetable

AST 105: INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY: THE SOLAR SYSTEM

Course Timetable: Fall 2020

 
 

1

Aug. 25

  General Introduction and Overview of the Course, and Information.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect01.pdf
  Reading: Ch.1.

2

Aug. 27

  Distance scales in the Universe - Distance measurements - Lookback Time.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect02.pdf
  Reading: Ch.1.

3

Sep. 1

  Patterns in the Night Sky.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect03.pdf
  Reading: Ch.2.1.

4

Sep. 3

  Planetary Motions on the Sky - Precessions of the Earth's axis - Understanding the seasons. Mini group project #1.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect04.pdf
  Reading: Ch.2.2, 2.4

5

Sep. 8

  The Phases of the Moon - Solar and Lunar Eclipses.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect05.pdf
  Reading: Ch.2.3.

6

Sep. 10

  A brief history of Astronomy in ancient times: The Greek geocentric model - the Copernican Revolution - Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect06.pdf.

7

Sep. 15

  Newton's Laws of motion - The law of Gravity
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect07.pdf
  Reading: Ch.4.1, 4.2, 4.4.

8

Sep. 17

  Gravitational Acceleration - Mass and Weight - Orbital Velocity - Escape Velocity. Mini group project #2
  Lecture Notes for the Day Lect08.pdf
  Reading: Ch.4.5.

9

Sep. 22

  Newton's version of Kepler's Third law and various astrophysical applications. Midterm review.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect09.pdf
  Reading: Ch.4.5, and review for the midterm.

10

Sep. 24

  Midterm I

11

Sep. 29

  A tour of the Solar System.
  Lecture Notes for the Day Lect10.pdf
  Reading: Ch.7.1.

12

Oct. 1

  Patterns in the Solar System -- Formation of the Solar System: Spinning, Heating, Flattening. Mini group project #3.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect11.pdf

13

Oct. 6

  Formation of the Solar System: Two different types of planets - Small bodies, and exceptions to the rules.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect12.pdf
  Reading: Ch.8.2, 8.3.

14

Oct. 8

  Group Project I

15

Oct. 13

  Planetary Geology: The interiors of Planets - Heating and Cooling processes in a planet.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect13.pdf
  Reading: Ch.9.1.

16

Oct. 15

  Shaping Planetary Surfaces: Volcanism - Impact Cratering. Mini group project #4.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect14.pdf
  Reading: Ch.9.2.

17

Oct. 20

  Shaping Planetary Surfaces: Tectonics - Erosion. Light: The Electromagnetic Spectrum.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect15.pdf
  Reading: Ch.9.2, 5.1.

18

Oct. 22

  Light and its Interaction with matter - Basic properties of matter - Emission, Absorption and Conti\ nuum spectra.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect16.pdf
  Reading: 5.2, 5.3 till pag.156.

19

Oct. 27

  Midterm II

20

Oct. 29

  Planetary Atmospheres: Basics - The concept of gas pressure. Mini group project #5.
  Lecture Notes for the Day Lect17.pdf
  Reading: Ch. 10.1 till pag.277

21

Nov. 3

  The Greenhouse effect. Planetary Atmospheres: Structure of the Earth's atmosphere - Comparison with Mars and Venus.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect18.pdf
  Reading: Ch. 10.1, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5.

22

Nov. 5

  The unique atmosphere of the Earth - Global Warming - Open discussion.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect19.pdf
  Reading: Ch. 10.6.

23

Nov. 10

  The Jovian Planets: main properties, structure and atmospheres.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect20.pdf
  Reading: Ch. 11.1.

24

Nov. 12

  Moons of the Jovian Planets - Io and Europa closeups - Introduction to exoplanets. The Doppler effect.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect21.pdf
  Reading: Ch. 11.2, 13.1 till pag. 376.

25

Nov. 17

  Exoplanets: Detection Methods - Properties of exoplanets, and their formation.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: Lect22.pdf
  Reading: Ch. 13.

26

Nov. 19

  Midterm III

Nov. 26

 Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 28

 Thanksgiving Break

27

Dec. 1

  General Review of the Course.
  Lecture Notes for the Day: final_review.pdf
  Reading/Review: All the chapters indicated in the review.

28

Dec. 3

  Group Project II


 

 
 


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