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Experience
CAREER Education Courses |
Towson University Astronomy Students - Spring 2009 Semester
Grades, study guides etc. will be posted here during the semester
Links to PowerPoint slides
Exam 1; tools and techniques of Astronomy Exam 2: the Sun & Solar System Exam 4: galaxies and cosmology
Definitions for the types of objects in the universe The relative distances between celestial objects (for example the diameter of the solar system vs. the diameter of our galaxy) The three primary motions of earth through space and how they affect the way we see changes in the sky. The celestial sphere and definitions for it’s coordinate system: (celestial poles, equator, ecliptic, altitude, meridian, zenith) The Copernican Principle A heliocentric vs. geocentric universe The historical contributions of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Tycho and Newon The difference between a refracting vs. reflecting telescope The major components of a telescope The contents of the electromagnetic spectrum What can we learn about the universe through multi-wavelength observations The difference between and emission, absorption and continuous spectrum The Doppler effect What we can learn about stars though their spectra.
the physical characteristics of outer the planets cutaway of the Sun, names for zones in the solar interior clues to the origin of the solar system the satellites of the outer planets the concept of planetary evolution the environment of the Moon the physical characteristics of the terrestrial planets the nature of comets, asteroids, and meteorites the solar cycle the characteristics of rings around planets the surface environment of Mars potential habitats for life in the Solar System the debris fields of the solar system the nature of Pluto relative to the other planets
The H-R diagram Types of binary star systems The end points of stellar evolution black hole, neutron star, etc The evolution of a sun-like star The various spectral classes of stars Supernovae and novae The interstellar medium The stages in the birth of a star The comparative sizes, temperatures, ages, masses among different classes of stars. The types of nebulae related to stellar evolution: planetary nebulae, emission nebulae, and supernova remnants The concept of a habitable zone around a star
COSMOLOGY 1. what is the observational evidence for the Big Bang? 2. explain whether the Big Bang is a hypothesis or theory 3. what is the Hubble Law? 4. what is the Hubble Constant? 5. does the universe have a center or edge? explain 6. what is dark energy? what is the observational evidence? 7. what is dark matter? what is the observational evidence? 8 is the universe "open" or "closed"? 9. if the universe is infinite, why is the sky dark at night? 10. what is the cosmic background radiation? 11. how does gravity affect space. 12. what is meant by the term "space-time" 13. what would determine if the universe expands forever? 14. what are the alternative theories to the big bang?
GALAXIES
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contact me at rvillard@gmail.com |