ASTR 111
General Astronomy I (GE)
1. Catalog Entry
ASTR 111
General Astronomy I (GE)
Credit hours (4)
Survey of astronomy from ancient cultures to present day, nature of light and gravity,
telescopes and astronomical observations, evolution and dynamics of Earth and our
solar system.
Note(s): General Education and Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course.
2. Detailed Description of Course
The major topics covered in this course range across the spectrum of topics in modern
astronomy. The course deals with the foundations of astronomy, including the phenomena
of eclipses and observations of planetary motions made by ancient astronomers; Kepler's
laws of planetary motion and Newton's law of universal gravitation; the nature of
light, spectroscopy, and the fundamentals of optics and telescopes; planetary astronomy
that begins with a general view of our solar system and its formation, and then moves
outward from earth to the moon, Mercury, Venus, and so on, covering each of the planets
and their moons in some detail; and an introduction to the sun in its role as the
center of our solar system and as a typical star.
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Astronomy 111 is a course in descriptive astronomy.
Although this course is primarily lecture- centered, time is spent in problem solving
and in conducting simple astronomical observations. Students are expected to be able
to use elementary mathematics in the solution of a variety of problems encountered
in class and in the laboratory. Considerable time is spent making astronomical observations
in the planetarium. This may be done either during class or during lab time depending
upon the topic under consideration. Several evening observing sessions for viewing
planets, the moon, or special celestial events are planned at various times throughout
the course. The observations are made both with naked eye and with the telescope.
Students are expected to learn new vocabulary and ways of reasoning with ideas that
will be quite new to most of them. Laboratory exercises are assigned each week and
completed during the lab time or as homework. Some lab exercises are done in the planetarium.
Students are given the option of doing independent, naked-eye observational activities
with some guidance from the instructor. Problems, review questions, and observing
projects appearing at the end of the text chapters may be assigned. These are frequently
discussed in class.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
By the end of General Astronomy I, students should be able to:
1) Describe the motions of the planets, as seen from earth, with special attention
to their retrograde motion
2) Describe the astronomical conditions that produce solar and lunar eclipses
3) Describe the phases of the moon in relation to the moon’s position relative
to the sun and earth
4) Describe the seasonal motion of the sun relative to the horizon
5) State Kepler’s laws of planetary motion and apply them to the solution of astronomical
problems.
6) Describe Newton’s law of gravitation in simple physical terms
7) Describe Galileo’s important telescopic discoveries and evaluate their impact
on the controversy between the Copernican and
Ptolemaic theories
8) Use simple diagrams to explain how atoms absorb and emit radiation
9) Describe the types of spectra and explain how an understanding of spectra makes
it possible to determine the compositions and
physical properties of celestial bodies
10)Compare and contrast reflecting and refracting telescopes
11)Sketch the interior structure of Earth and understand that this structure implies
a once molten planet.
12)State the estimated age of the earth (and the solar system) and explain the
methods by which this age is inferred
13)Compare and contrast the surface environments and evolution of the moon and
Mercury to each other and to the earth
14)Compare and contrast the surface environments and evolution of Venus and Mars
to each other and to the earth
15)Compare and contrast the Jovian planets to each other and to the terrestrial
planets
Broad General Education Goals: Upon successful completion of this course students
should be able to:
1) Comprehend the empirical nature of science by manipulating data acquired by
both the student and by established researchers in
the field.
2) Identify scientific problems and apply the scientific method to the understanding
and solution of those problems.
3) Extend scientific problem-solving skills and logical analysis to a variety
of situations encountered on and beyond our Earth.
4) Relate the basic principles of science to the larger universe, understanding
that the principles applicable on Earth extend to the rest
of the universe as well.
5) Understand the relations between science, technology, and society, especially
in the context of continued astronomical discoveries
far beyond our own planet.
Core Curriculum Objectives (Goal 6: Physical and Natural Sciences)
Radford University students will understand the methodologies of scientific inquiry,
think critically about scientific problems, and apply principles of a scientific discipline
to solve problems in the natural/physical world.
Radford University students will be able to:
1) Distinguish between findings that are based upon empirical data and those that
are not.
2) Apply scientific principles within the context of a specific scientific discipline
to solve real world problems.
5. Assessment Measures
Student assessment will determine the students' ability to incorporate the physical
and natural sciences into the study of astronomical phenomena. Numerous assessment
measures will be employed, including some or all of the following:
1) Graded and ungraded homework problems designed to measure students' ability
to employ the scientific method-and the branches
of the physical and natural sciences-to the solution of various physical problems.
2) Graded and ungraded laboratory exercises designed to illustrate the empirical
nature of science through the acquisition and the
analysis of data.
3) Graded and ungraded computer assignments designed to illustrate the use of
technology in the solution of astronomical problems.
4) In-class exams including both problems and essay questions designed to measure
students' ability to solve relevant astronomical
problems.
5) Possible individual and group presentations of an astronomical problem or discovery
requiring the use of communication skills as
well as demonstrating the students' ability to discern and organize relevant
data.
6) Research projects requiring the student to probe specific problems in greater
detail than they may have encountered in class. These
might focus on any of the General Education or the Physical and Natural Science
goals discussed in Section D above.
6. Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
September 2001
June 20, 2015
March 01, 2021