SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 8:28:59 AMASTRON 3L Course Outline as of Spring 2011

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  ASTRON 3LTitle:  STELLAR ASTRON LAB  
Full Title:  Stellar Astronomy Laboratory
Last Reviewed:10/24/2022

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum1.00Lecture Scheduled017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled0
Minimum1.00Lab Scheduled3.006 min.Lab Scheduled52.50
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  0.00Total Student Learning Hours: 52.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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Stellar astronomy laboratory involves the analysis and reduction of basic astronomical data concerning stars, nebulae, and galaxies.  Using collaborative activities, photos, spectra, as well as direct planetarium observations, the student will arrive at conclusions concerning fundamental properties of the universe.  Topics will include electromagnetic radiation, observed properties of stars, variable and binary stars, extra-solar planets, stellar evolution, black holes, relativity, the interstellar medium, star clusters, the Milky Way and other galaxies, cosmology, and the possibility of other life forms in the universe.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion or Current Enrollment in ASTRON 3


Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Stellar astronomy laboratory involves the analysis and reduction of basic astronomical data concerning stars, nebulae, and galaxies.  Using collaborative activities, photos, spectra, as well as direct planetarium observations, the student will arrive at conclusions concerning fundamental properties of the universe.  Topics will include electromagnetic radiation, observed properties of stars, variable and binary stars, extra-solar planets, stellar evolution, black holes, relativity, the interstellar medium, star clusters, the Milky Way and other galaxies, cosmology, and the possibility of other life forms in the universe.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:Course Completion or Current Enrollment in ASTRON 3
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 B3Laboratory ActivityFall 1998
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 5CFulfills Lab RequirementFall 1998
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1997Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1998Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon completion of this course the student will:
1.  Describe the fundamental properties of electromagnetic radiation and how these properties are used to discover the characteristics of stars, nebulae, and galaxies.
2.  Explain the observational techniques that are used to compute distances, temperatures, brightness, motions, compositions, and masses of stars.
3.   Use exponential notation to numerically describe and compare the distances, temperatures, brightness, motions, compositions, and masses of stars, nebulae, and galaxies.  
4.   Interpret, analyze, and graph information about the universe.  
5.   Describe the nuclear processes that power the stars.
6.   Compute the ages of stars from their temperature-magnitude diagrams.
7.   Compute the distances to star clusters from their temperature-magnitude diagrams.
8.   Compute the distances to galaxies from the Hubble Law.
9.   Identify the major galactic Hubble types.
10. Compute the age of the universe using the Hubble Constant.

Topics and Scope
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I.  Scientific measurement methods
   A.  Distance units and scale
    B.  Uncertainty and error analysis
II.  Electromagnetic radiation
   A. The EM (electromagnetic) spectrum
   B.  Lenses and telescopes
   C.  Spectroscopy
   D.  Image processing and filters
III. Astronomical instruments
   A.  Properties of lenses
   B.  Reflecting and refracting telescopes
   C.  Basic telescope functions
IV.  Stellar motions
   A.  Apparent motions
        1.  nightly
       2.  yearly
   B.  Doppler shift
   C.  Proper motion
V.  Stellar distances
   A.  Parallax
   B.  Standard candles
        1.  Cepheid variable stars
       2.  Type Ia supernovae
VI. Stellar properties
    A.  Magnitudes of stars
   B.  Masses of stars
   C.  The spectral classification system for stars
   D.  The H-R (Hertzsprung-Russell) Diagram
VII.  Stellar Structure and evolution
   A.  Nebulae and the interstellar medium
   B.  Ages of star clusters
   C.  Supernovae and the deaths of stars
   D.  Neutron stars and black holes
VIII. The Milky Way Galaxy
   A.  Properties and appearance of the Milky Way
   B.  The Solar System's location in the Milky Way
IX. Other galaxies
   A.  Hubble galaxy classification
   B.  The Local Group
X. Cosmology
   A. The expansion of the universe and Hubble's Law
   B.  The fate of the universe
XI. Life in the universe

Assignments:
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1. Weekly reading assignments, 5-10 pages
2. Laboratory assignments, 10-20
3. Outdoor observation reports, 1-5
4. Quizzes, 1-15

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
10 - 40%
Observation reports
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
20 - 50%
Lab assignments
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
10 - 40%
Multiple choice, True/false
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 20%
Attendance and participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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A Workbook for Astronomy, Waxman, Jerry., 2ND edition, Quintessential Publishing, 2007
Foundations of Astronomy, Seeds, Michael and Backman, Dana, 11TH edition, Brooks/Cole Publishing, 2008
 
Explorations: An Introduction to Astronomy,Arny, Thomas, and Schneider, Stephen,  6TH edition, McGraw-Hill Publishing, 2010.
 
Observer's Handbook 2010, Kelly, Patrick from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Thistle Printing Limited, 2009

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