11/21/2024 3:32:11 AM	ASTRON 12 Course Outline as of Fall 2024	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  ASTRON 12	Title:  ASTRON OBSERVTN LAB
Full Title:  Astronomy Observational Lab
Last Reviewed:4/22/2019

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	1.00	Lecture Scheduled	0		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	0
Minimum	1.00	Lab Scheduled	3.00		2 min.	Lab Scheduled	52.50
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  0.00

Total 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:

Observational laboratory in astronomy. Students will utilize small aperture telescopes, binoculars, star charts and planispheres. Constellation identification and terrestrial and celestial coordinate systems will be introduced. Short exposure and deep sky astrophotography will be conducted. In the case of inclement weather, students will utilize the planetarium, classroom, or computer lab to perform required labs.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in ASTRON 3 OR ASTRON 4 OR ASTRON 42

Recommended Preparation:
Course Eligibility for MATH 150 or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Observational laboratory in astronomy. Students will utilize small aperture telescopes, binoculars, star charts and planispheres. Constellation identification and terrestrial and celestial coordinate systems will be introduced. Short exposure and deep sky astrophotography will be conducted. In the case of inclement weather, students will utilize the planetarium, classroom, or computer lab to perform required labs.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in ASTRON 3 OR ASTRON 4 OR ASTRON 42
Recommended:Course Eligibility for MATH 150 or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates
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:
	B3	Laboratory Activity		Fall 2012
	B1	Physical Science		Fall 1981	Fall 2012
	B3	Laboratory Activity
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	5C	Fulfills Lab Requirement		Fall 2012
	5A	Physical Sciences		Fall 1981	Fall 2012
	5C	Fulfills Lab Requirement
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Calculate properties of a lens/mirror and describe how these properties affect the resulting image

2.  Utilize the right ascension and declination coordinate system to locate a celestial object on a star chart and acquire it in a telescope

3.  Utilize small aperture telescopes, binoculars, star charts, and planispheres to locate, photograph and collect data from a variety of celestial bodies

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Explain how a lens and a mirror are capable of forming an image

2. Describe how the focal length and diameter of a lens and mirror affects the quality of an image

3. Calculate the focal ratio and magnification of an optical system

4. Compare and contrast the advantages of reflector telescopes to refractor telescopes

5. Use collected field data and the distance modulus to calculate the diameter of extended celestial objects and the distances of certain stars

6. Use collected field data to calculate the distance to certain stars using the distance modulus

7. Utilize collected field data to determine the apparent magnitude of certain stars by comparing them to given standards

8. Explain diurnal motion and describe how an observer's latitude affects the apparent paths of stars

9.  Explain how coordinate systems are used to locate terrestrial and celestial bodies

10. Demonstrate annual motion using a globe of Earth and describe why seasons occur on the Earth

11. Utilize star charts and planispheres to learn and apply the celestial coordinate system of right ascension and declination

12. Use star charts and planispheres to locate, identify and determine the rising and setting times of deep sky objects, constellations, and bright stars

13. Assemble telescopes and employ them to locate, observe and sketch planets and deep sky objects

14. Utilize telescopes and cameras to photograph constellations, deep sky objects, planets and the Sun (using neutral density solar filters)

15. Recognize and identify seasonal constellations and stars by name without the aid of star charts or planispheres

Topics and Scope

I. Earth and Sky

    A. The celestial sphere

    B. Diurnal motion from various locations on Earth

    C. Annual motion

    D. Seasons and why they occur

    E. Coordinate systems

         1. terrestrial coordinate systems

         2. celestial coordinate systems

    F. Constellations

    G. Star charts and planisphere

II. Optical Systems

    A. Image formation

    B. Properties of a lens or mirror

         1. focal length

         2. diameter

         3. focal ratio

    C. Telescopes

         1. refractors

         2. reflectors

    D. Functions of a telescope

    E. Parts of a telescope

    F. Cameras

    G. Functions of a camera

    H. Parts of a camera

    I. Using cameras for astrophotography

III. Deep Sky Objects Including the Messier Catalog

    A. Nebulae

         1. emission nebulae

         2. dark (absorption) nebulae

         3. reflection nebulae

         4. planetary nebulae

         5. supernova remnants

    B. Galaxies

         1. spiral galaxies

         2. barred spiral galaxies

         3. elliptical galaxies

         4. irregular galaxies

    C. Star clusters

         1. open (galactic) clusters

         2. globular cluster

IV. Determination of the Diameter of Celestial Objects

V.  Determination of the Magnitude and Distances of Stars

    A. Apparent magnitude scale

    B. Absolute magnitude scale

    C. Distance modulus

VI. Solar Observations and Photography

Assignments:

1. Readings from the lab manual or other instructor prepared materials (20-30 pages/week)

2. Laboratory exercises and written reports (6-10)

3. Field work exercises involving telescope set-up and preparation for astrophotography (3-5)

4. A celestial object report on the student's observations (photographic or visual)

5. Quizzes covering topics on labs, pre-lab orientation, and reading material  (3-6)

6. A constellation exam covering the names of constellations and bright stars

7. Star chart exam on identifying stars and deep sky objects

8. A comprehensive final exam

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 - 20%
Lab exercises, written and celestial object reports
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 10 - 30%
Field work, lab exercises
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 15%
Set up and operation of telescopes and cameras, usage of star charts and planispheres
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 35 - 65%
Quizzes, constellation exam, star chart exam, final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 10 - 30%
Attendance and participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Course text/lab manual written by SRJC Earth and Space Sciences instructors

A Workbook for Astronomy. Waxman, Jerry. 2007  (classic)

21st Century Astronomy. 5th ed. Kay, Laura and Palen, Stacy and Blumenthal, George. Norton. 2016

The Observer's Handbook. Edgar, James, ed. Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. 2019

Other instructor prepared materials

Print PDF