ASTRONOMY 270


Astronomy 270 is designed for people who want to learn about the Universe in more depth than is possible in Astro 101. In this course we will concentrate on the Solar System. Just as important as learning about the objects with which we share our Universe, we will be investigating how we know what we know. Astronomy is a unique science, in that we cannot run experiments on astronomical objects (with the exception of the few planetary bodies we, or our probes, have visited). Instead, we have to be clever and use the information we gather with our telescopes on the ground and in space, some basic physics, and our brains.


Time and place: TR 11:00AM-12:15PM, Regener Hall 114
Instructor: Prof. Y. Pihlström, phone 277-4492
Textbook: Universe, Freedman and Kaufmann, 7th Edition.
Prerequisites: Physics 151 or higher; Math 150 or 162
Exams and Grades: Your final grade will be determined through two sectional exams (each 25% of the grade), homework (20%) and the final exam (30%). The exam dates are 26 September and 9 November for the two mid-term exams (during regular class hours). The final comprehensive exam (on all course material) will be given Tuesday December 12, 10:00AM-12:00PM in Regener 114. In general, make-up exams will NOT be given unless you have a very valid reason, and make-ups will be oral. NO make-ups will be given unless arranged before the exam.

Lecture schedule
Date Topic Chapter
T Aug 22 Introduction  
R Aug 24 Angles and angular measure 1
T Aug 29 Positional astronomy 2
R Aug 31 Eclipses and the Moon 3
T Sep 5 Kepler's laws 4
R Sep 7 Newton's laws 4
T Sep 12 Orbits 4
R Sep 14 Tides 4
T Sep 19 The nature of light, black body radiation 5
R Sep 21 Spectral lines, the Doppler effect 5
T Sep 26 Exam 1 1-4
R Sep 28 Telescopes 6
T Oct 3 Our amazing solar system 7
R Oct 5 Overview of our solar system 7
T Oct 10 The origin of our solar system 8
R Oct 12 FALL BREAK  
T Oct 17 The Earth's atmosphere 9
R Oct 19 The Earth's interior 9
T Oct 24 The Moon 10
R Oct 26 Mercury 11
T Oct 31 Venus 12
R Nov 2 Welcome to Mars 13
T Nov 7 Mars 13
R Nov 9 Exam 2 5-12
T Nov 14 Jupiter and Saturn 14
R Nov 16 Jupiter and Saturn moons 15
T Nov 21 Uranus and Neptune 16
R Nov 23 HOLIDAY  
T Nov 28 Pluto 16
R Nov 30 Asteroids and comets 17
T Dec 5 Asteroid belt, course recap 17
R Dec 7 Office hours: preparation for final  
T Dec 12 Final exam