Astronomy 101
Exploring the Solar System
Fall 2002 -- Section 1
MWF 10:10-11:00 a.m.
Hasbrouck 134
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- Professor:
- Judy Young
620 Graduate Research Tower
Phone: 545-4311
Office Hours: Mon. 2:15-3:00 p.m., Wed. 1:15-2:00 p.m.
or by appointment
COURSE GOALS
The study of astronomy has captured the imagination of human beings
for thousands of years. We still see the same Sun, the same Moon,
the same planets, and the same stars in the sky that our
ancestors saw when they inhabited
the Earth. With all of our technology today, with artificial lights,
and with buildings which
insulate us from the environment and the night sky, most people
are disconnected from observing and learning to understand the Universe
around us. This course is designed to excite your curiosity, and to
provide you with some basic tools for a life-long appreciation of
astronomy.
Overall, my goals for Astronomy 101 are:
-
To familiarize you with the
Universe (what we observe, how we know what we know, and our
place in the scheme of things),
-
To excite your curiosity (to pay
attention to the sky, to ask questions, to enhance your enjoyment and
appreciation of the Universe for the rest of your lives),
-
To assist you in gaining experience and confidence in undertaking
scientific investigation (both problem solving, question asking and
question answering)
The content of the course and the assignments are
focused on achieving these 3 goals.
Along the way, you'll not only learn from the textbook and constellation
charts, but there will be opportunities for observing and experiencing
the sky.
The course is organized into four sections:
- Observing the Sky: Lots of fun
- The Solar System: Updated with recent results from spacecraft
- Beyond the Solar System: Searching for extrasolar planets, the Origin of the elements, Origin of the Universe
- The Future of Our Planet: Managing the Earth, and Energy for Earth
For more details, check out the Syllabus
Course Format
The course material will be explored in the three lectures every week;
readings from the text; worksheets to aid studying;
homework and project assignments; visits
to the U.Mass. Sunwheel; and in learning some of the constellations
(see Requirements for more details).
In addition, there will be ample opportunity for individual exploration
and interaction -- just as there is in scientific research. You are
encouraged to ask questions in class and during office hours;
to visit the telescope on Orchard Hill
and the planetarium at Amherst College; and to follow
where your curiosity leads.
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