AST 101IN - Solar System

1. Discuss how astronomical observations contributed to the scientific revolution of the 17th century and explain the evidence for a heliocentric model for our solar system.
2. Describe and explain the apparent motions of celestial bodies as seen from an observer on Earth, and apply this knowledge in order to predict positions and appearances of objects on the sky as a function of time and the observer’s location.
3. Describe current theories of planet formation and relate these to the present-day structure of our own solar system.
4. Recognize the immense spatial and time scales of the solar system, and compare and contrast these with human scales using scientific notation, distance ranking and scale models.
5. Predict orbital parameters for gravitating systems by applying Kepler’s laws of planetary motion and Newton’s laws of motion and Universal Gravitation.

1. Demonstrate improvement in critical and quantitative thinking by applying the scientific method to fact and theory in classroom learning, activities (some quantitative and mathematical), and assignments (some quantitative and mathematical).
2. Distinguish science from pseudoscience.
3. Describe the overall structure and individual components of the solar system.
4. Describe the solar system’s origin.
5. Explain the historical development and multi-cultural aspects of the practice of science generally, and astronomy, specifically.
6. Outline the technical development of modern astronomy and space exploration.
7. Generate or expand global awareness by integrating astronomy’s cosmic, worldwide and multi-cultural perspective of earth with insights gained from its historical development, and scientific and societal impacts.
8. Demonstrate the improvement in critical and quantitative thinking by analyzing astronomical observations related to specific information covered in lectures.
9. Expand global awareness by identifying aspects of the sky and recording common sky phenomena, utilizing the naked eye or binoculars.
10. Expand global awareness by examining and describing the sky more closely based on at least one telescope viewing experience. 
11. Describe astronomical and astronomy-related facilities in the Tucson area.
12. Discuss the Tucson area’s importance to the field of astronomy and astronomy’s role in the local economy.

1. General Introduction
   1. What is Science?
   2. The role of mathematics in science
      1. Quantitative vs. qualitative understanding
      2. Linear and angular measurement
      3. Unit conversion
      4. Equations
      5. Graphing
   3. What is Astronomy?
   4. Value of Astronomy and benefits to the individual
   5. Scientific Method and the central role of skepticism
      1. Contrast with Pseudoscience
      2. Possible Pseudosciences to examine as related to Astronomy
         1. Astrology
         2. Scientific creationism as related to the solar system and the origin, age and life on Earth
         3. Jupiter effect
         4. Moon muddling
         5. Comets as mystical messengers of doom
         6. Immanual Velikovsky’s Planetary Billiards
2. Solar System
   1. Cosmic perspective: the Solar System’s location in space and time
   2. General description and structure
   3. Age of the Solar System
   4. Origin: theory and evidence
   5. Planets orbiting other stars
3. Descriptive Study of Individual Objects
   1. Sun
   2. Earth and Moon
      1. Tidal effect
      2. Solar-Terrestrial connections
      3. Origin of the Moon
   3. Mercury
   4. Venus
   5. Mars and satellites
   6. Jupiter and satellites
   7. Saturn and satellites
   8. Uranus and satellites
   9. Neptune and satellites
   10. Pluto and Charon
   11. Comets, asteroids, and their origins
4. History of Astronomy
   1. Astronomical practice, invention, and discoveries around the world
   2. Development of modern science
      1. The Greeks
      2. Aristotelian Science
      3. Demise of Science
      4. Islamic contributions
      5. The Scientific (Copernican) Revolution and its impact on the World
5. The Technical Development of Modern Astronomy
   1. Major Observatories
   2. Telescopes
      1. Optics
      2. Instruments
   3. Celestial coordinates
6. Space Exploration and Development
   1. History
   2. Values: costs versus benefits
   3. Future explorations and economic development
7. Reprise: Cosmic Perspective—Beyond Global Awareness
   1. Our location in time and space
   2. Astronomical numbers
   3. Specialized units
8. In-Class Collaborative Exercises and Activities
   1. Solar System to scale
   2. Solar System models
   3. Celestial Sphere and star charts
   4. Equatorial coordinates
   5. Horizon coordinates
   6. Lost on the Moon
   7. Planetary models
   8. Discussion groups on varied topics
      1. Aspects of Pseudoscience
      2. Global warming and what to do about it
      3. Space exploration: pros and cons
      4. Pluto as a planet: pros and cons
9. Individual Laboratory Exercises
   1. Terrestrial Planets Mercury and Venus
   2. Terrestrial Planets Mars
   3. Kepler’s Law
   4. Sidereal time
   5. Stellar parallax
   6. Measuring large distances
   7. Lunar geology
   8. Construction of a sun dial
10. Videos Related to Lecture Topics
11. Space Exploration and Economic Development
    1. Historical development
    2. Future exploration possibilities
    3. Pros and cons of space development
12. Observation Projects
    1. Standardized observing and recording of sky phenomena
    2. Sun
    3. Moon
    4. Planets and their satellites
    5. Identifying bright stars and constellations
    6. Star counts
    7. Finding asteroids
13. Potential Field Trips
    1. Kitt Peak National Observatory
    2. Whipple Observatory on Mt. Hopkins
    3. Flandrau Planetarium
    4. Group observational session at a dark site with telescope
    5. University of Arizona Mirror Lab