About the Class
AST100 Survey of Astronomy: Apply the scientific method and other critical thinking models to astronomical phenomena for hypotheses development, experimental design, data acquisition, and data analysis. Outline the history of astronomical thought. Describe in terms of energy, wavelength, and frequency the various portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Describe instruments used to detect radiation from the various portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Compare the physical properties of the earth with its moon. . Give an overview of the components of the solar system. Compare and contrast the physical properties of the planets. Describe the minor components of the solar system. Learn about NASA’s Orion Space Ship and the promise it holds for exploration beyond our own Galaxy. Describe the physical properties of the sun. Explain the significance of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Describe binary star systems and star clusters. List the possible steps in the formation of stars. Describe the birth, life, and death of stars. Describe the composition of the interstellar medium and its effects on radiation. Take a look at the great videos I have about the Orion Nebulae. Describe the contents and structure of the Milky Way Galaxy. Explain the significance of Hubble's Law. Describe possible models which account for active galaxies. Explore the possibility of travel via worm holes, etc. Describe current cosmological models and their implications on the past and the future. Explain the probability of extraterrestrial intelligence and the possibility of extraterrestrial communication in the context of SETI.
Language of instruction:
English
Keywords: astronomical thought, astronomical scales, apparent motions of celestial objects, eclipses, geocentric universe, ancient astronomy, scientific method, heliocentric universe, copernican revolution, galileo, kepler, newton, electromagnetic spectrum, spectral line formation, optical telescopes, radio telescopes, full-spectrum radiation detectors, red shift, earth, overview of the solar system, terrestrial planets, jovian planets, planetary configurations, interplanetary debris, solar system formation, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, our sun, other suns, distances and motions, energy production, stellar classification, hertzsprung-russell diagram, variable stars, binary stars, stellar evolution, evolution and death of stars, star factories, supernovae, novae, neutron stars, black holes, interstellar medium, interstellar matter, nebulae, the milky way, quasi-stellar objects, expanding universe, life in the universe, life in the solar system, prospects for intelligent life in our galaxy, search for extraterrestrial intelligence seti, nasa orion atomic space ship, travel by worm hole, orion spaceship