ASTRO 120 - Astronomy of the Solar System

3 Credits

Students who have a keen interest in astronomy and space science but may not necessarily be pursuing a degree in these fields, or students majoring in non-science fields who need to fulfill a general education requirement for science can take this course. There are several reasons why this course is important to take.

• It provides a basic understanding of astronomical concepts, the structure of the universe,

• and the fundamental principles governing celestial objects and phenomena.

• It enhances scientific literacy by teaching students about the scientific methods used in

• astronomy and how they apply to understanding the cosmos.

• The course promotes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving abilities

• through the examination of astronomical data.

• It fosters an interest in the universe, potentially motivating students to explore science,

• technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

• Additionally, the topics studied in this course provide practical experience with

• observational tools and methods, enabling students to enhance their data collection and
• analysis skills.

1.      Describe the basic size and structure of the solar system and its location in the universe

2.      Use scale models to demonstrate the approximate relationships between the sizes and distances of astronomical objects

3.      Describe how the daily movements of objects in the local sky are influenced by Earth’s rotation

4.      Explain the fundamental functions of telescopes, detectors, and other astronomical instruments used to study the solar system

5.      Explain the goals and functions of various observatories and space missions utilized by astronomers to study the solar system

6.      Use Kepler’s Laws and Newton’s Universal Law of Gravity to determine the mass, orbital period, and orbital radius of celestial bodies in the solar system

7.      Describe the fundamental orbital and physical characteristics of the different objects in the solar system

8.      Explain the techniques employed to search for extraterrestrial intelligence and exoplanets

9.      Make a connection between nature and Indigenous Astronomy, highlighting how it distinguishes Indigenous perspectives from Western scientific views of the natural world

Required Resource Materials:

The Solar System, Sixth Edition, Geller, R.M., Freedman, & Kaufmann 2019. (Paperback format

with ISBN:9781319115050)

Optional Resource Materials:

The Cosmic Perspective, Tenth Edition, Jeffrey O. Bennett, Megan O. Donahue, Nicholas Schneider, and Mark Voit. The Paperback or eTextbook can be accessed on the Pearson website.

Conduct of Course:
ASTRO 120 involves approximately 39 hours of lecture per semester. Students are expected to attend discussions, solve practical problems, join field trips (accessing public observatory), and actively participate in data collection and interpretation using telescopes and other astronomical tools. The instructor uses PowerPoint slides and other lecture notes from different sources (i.e., textbooks, research papers, articles, etc.) as delivery materials. Desire to Learn (D2L) is used as a learning management platform, sharing lecture notes, assignments, and discussion topics.

Classroom attendance is considered vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports.

• Students having a combination of excused and/or unexcused absence of 20 percent or higher for the scheduled course hours are required to withdraw and automatically receive a “RW” (required withdrawal) for the course, regardless of any other evaluation results. (RW is a failing grade.)
• An excused absence is one that is verified with your instructor. Verification should be prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence. Verification of the absence may take the form of a note from your doctor/College nurse regarding illness, or a note from another instructor regarding a field trip or other activity, or authorization by your instructor. An unexcused absence is anything NOT verified by the instructor prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence.

It is the students’ responsibility to know their own absentee record. Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the potential for evening courses, exams, or extended field trips.

Students are expected to be available for classes during these times.

Content of Course:

Assignments:

Six assignments will be given throughout the term. The assignments reinforce students’ understanding and retention of the material and prepare them for exams. Assignments will further provide an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, enhancing practical understanding and making learning more relevant and interesting. These assignments are listed on the course syllabus, and their due date and other details are mentioned on lecture slides and during the lecture. Questions and solutions along with grading breakdown are posted in D2L. Assignments should be submitted in their original written and printed form. Assignments won’t be accepted once the solutions are posted, and any assignments sent via email or handed in as a hard copy won’t be considered for marking. If the instructor detects plagiarism, the assignment will receive a grade of zero.

Observation logs:

Observational log sheets provide students with practical, hands-on experience in observing astronomical phenomena. This experiential learning helps reinforce theoretical concepts learned in lectures and textbooks. Using tools such as telescopes, star charts, and software to aid in their observations introduces students to the technological aspects of astronomy. This integration is essential for modern astronomical studies.

All students must independently complete two observation log sheets handwritten in pen or pencil during the course. These log sheets can be found on D2L, with due dates listed in the course outline. Similarly, late submissions will not be accepted.

Exams:

The midterm and final exams of ASTRO 120 include multiple-choice, short-answer, fill-in-theblank, and problem-solving-style questions. Tests cover all material up to the last lecture before the exam. All exams are closed book. Only calculators, star maps, and formula sheets are provided for students to use during exams. Each midterm exam is one hour long. The final exam is three hours in duration. Any form of cheating or plagiarism will result in a zero on the exam and possible further disciplinary action. Make-up exams are only allowed with prior approval and in cases of documented emergencies.

Your final grade in this course will be determined based on the following components:

• Official final grades will be available on My Lakeland. Grades posted in D2L should be considered interim grades.  
• “Lakeland College is committed to the highest academic standards. Students are expected to be familiar with Lakeland College policies and to abide by these policies. Violations of these policies are considered to be serious and may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.”  

Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.

Every effort has been made to ensure that information in this course outline is accurate at the time of publication. Lakeland College reserves the right to change courses if it becomes necessary so that course content remains relevant.

In such cases, the instructor will give students clear and timely notice of changes.

No part of this course outline may be reproduced in any form or resold without written permission from Lakeland College.

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