ESC 1021

Planetary Astronomy

Instructor: Philip S. Harrington

Office: 344-5669 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm)

Office hours: By appointment

Textbook (required): Voyages Through the Universe, Fraknoi, et al  (3rd edition)  ISBN 9780495017899

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Use a star chart to identify major stars and constellations of each seasonal sky
• Identify terms of the sky, such as zenith, nadir, right ascension, and declination
• Identify major characteristics of the Sun, Moon, each planet in our solar system, as well as comets and asteroids

Procedures for Accomplishing These Objectives:

• In-class lectures, including use of supplemental visual aids, videotapes, and other audio-visual material
• Outdoor observing sessions
• Term project

Student Requirements for Completion of Course

To pass this course successfully, each student must complete the following:

• Complete all reading and homework assignments, including the term paper, mid-term, and final exams to the best of the student's abilities and ON TIME.

• Attend all classes.  If you know that you will be absent for a class, please inform the instructor beforehand.  If you are out sick, please be prepared to have a valid reason.

• Successfully pass all tests.

• Take good, concise class notes.

• Ask questions and participate in discussions.

• Weekly: Submit an article (newspaper, magazine, etc.) on any astronomical topic.

Grading Practices

The following grading practices will be adhered to throughout the semester:

• All assignments must be handed in on time. Any assignment handed in late will receive a grade 10 points lower than it would have received had it been handed in on time.

• The lowest grade received on a homework assignment will be dropped when calculating a student's final grade.

• No make-up tests will be allowed except for extraordinary circumstances, to be judged on an individual basis.

• Tests will be based on exercises, observation sessions, reading assignments, and class lectures.

• All tests are "closed book, closed notes."

• The term paper will be judged for interest, scientific content and accuracy, as well as spelling and grammar (remember, I'm an author!).

Extra Credit:  You can earn between one and four extra-credit points toward your final grade for the following. (A maximum of 8 points extra credit per student will be permitted.)

• Attend a planetarium show (at the Vanderbilt Planetarium, Hayden Planetarium, etc.) and submit of a short (2 page, typed) report telling of the show's content

• Attend any astronomy lecture, such as at the State University at Stony Brook, Custer Institute, Montauk Observatory, Amateur Observer's Society, or Astronomical Society of Long Island. Submit of short report telling of the lecture's content afterwards.  Click on the links above to view each institution's home page and schedule.

  • Use this form to submit your summary report of a lecture.

• Present a short oral report to the class on a book on astronomy or related topic. Requires prior approval by instructor.

• Try your luck at astrophotography by photographing the Moon, a planet, or the stars.  See professor for information.

Course Schedule

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