Astronomy 51: Introduction to Astronomy

Fall term 2009, Instructor: Francis Wilkin

tentative Syllabus | Labs | Astronomy Interactives | APOD | Union College Observatory

There will be two midterm exams: Friday Oct 2 and Friday Oct 23 (in class)

Final exam date: Monday, Nov 23, 11:30am

Announcements:

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This is a lab course (with Gen Ed credit) for which you must be present at,
and perform all the labs for your section, including turning in the lab homework/report.
The lab will be conducted by Professor Marr. Because the present web page refers
to the lecture content of the course and is maintained by Prof. Wilkin, in general
Lab announcements will NOT be here, and you should contact Prof. Marr for information on labs.
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Note: Fall schedule weeks officially begin on a Wednesday,
so weeks as listed below go from Wednesday to Monday (since we don't meet on Tuesdays).
There are 10 weeks in the course.
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Week 3:
Read sections 10.1-10.2 for Monday Sept 28.
Sat 9/26: 8pm-10 Observatory Open House, Olin 301 upstairs
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Week 2:
See Doppler Shift interactive of Arny's web page (see above for link to Astronomy Interactives)
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Week 1:
LOOKING UP: JUPITER IS VERY BRIGHT AND LOW IN THE SOUTH-EAST TO SOUTH THROUGHOUT THE EVENING
Wednesday 9/9: Class begins. Setting the scales, the importance of distance. Powers of ten.
Please read Chapter 1 Developing Perspective: Our Place in the Universe,
and answer the questions at the end of the chapter.
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What's up in the sky now? Check Sky & Telescope

Do not look at the sun with your spectroscope!!!! It does not provide protection.
If you want to know the sun's spectrum, you can simply look at blue sky,
far away from the sun, or look at the moon at night, which reflects the sun's spectrum.
Is the spectrum of blue sky continous?

Check out the spectacular Astronomy Picture of the Day!