AST 101

Fall 2010

Course Title: Astronomy of the Solar System

Course Number: AST 101-105, CRN: 98411

Instructor: Philip S. Harrington Office: 344-5669

Textbook (required): Voyages to the Planets, A. Fraknoi, et al (Brooks/Cole Pub.; ISBN: 0534395678)

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
• Use the scientific method to prove that our solar system is a heliocentric system
• Identify major characteristics of the Sun, Moon, each planet in our solar system, as well as comets and asteroids

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

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.

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."

Extra Credit: Between 1 and 4 extra-credit points per activity will be allowed for the following (a maximum of 8 points extra credit per student will be permitted):

• Attendance of planetarium show at Vanderbilt Planetarium or Hayden Planetarium, followed by the submission of an extra credit report telling of the show's content

  • Extra credit report form (PDF file)

• Attendance at any astronomy lecture, such as at the monthly open house at Suffolk County Community College, State University at Stony Brook, Custer Institute, Amateur Observer's Society, or Astronomical Society of Long Island. Submit of an extra credit report telling of the lecture's content afterwards.  Click on the links to view each institution's home page and schedule.

  • Extra credit report form (PDF file)

• Short report on a book dealing with astronomy or related topic. Requires prior approval by instructor.

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

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