Lectures 1-19

Lecture 1

Lecture 2

Lecture 3

Lecture 4

Lecture 5

Lecture 6 Mars

Lecture 7 Mercury

Lecture 8 Venus

Lecture 9
The Moon

Lectures 10-11 The Jovians

Lecture 12 - Jovian Moons

Lecture 13 Pluto, Rings, Icy Moons

Lecture 14 Meteorites

Lecture 15 - Comets and Asteroids

Lecture 16 The Sun

Lecture 17 Life on Earth

Lecture 18 Solar System Formation

Lecture 19 Extra-Solar Planets

Astronomy 10A

Introduction to the Solar System: Planets and Life Here and Elsewhere

Instructor: Alan Federman

ASSIGNMENTS:

Week (Dates) Readings in Voyages to the Planets, by Fraknoi, Morisson, & Wolff, 3^rd ed.

1 (1/8, 10) Preface for the student, the Prologue, and Section 6.1 in Chapter 6; start

Chapter 4. Read any handouts received. Buy Scantron sheets.

2 (1/15, 17) Chapter 4 (Radiation and Spectra): Sections 4.1, 4.2.1, 4.4.2, 4.3, & 4.6

Chapter 5 (Astronomical Instruments): pp 109-122, section 5.5.2

3 (1/22, 24) Chapter 6: sections 6.1 through 6.3

Chapter 9: sections 1,4, and 5 (about Mars)

4 (1/29, 31) Chapter 9: sections 2, 3, 6 (Venus); Chapter 8: section 5 (Mercury)

5 (2/5, 7) Chapter 8: sections 1-4 (Moon Luna)

MID-TERM (2/7) 25%

6 (2/12) Chapter 10: (Jupiter and the gas giants)

7 (2/19, 21) Chapter 11: sections 1, 2 (Satellites of the gas giants)

8 ( 2/26, 28) Chapter 7; section 5 (impacts); Chapter 12: sections 3 & 4 (comets), meteorites.

9 ( 3/4, 3/6) Chapter 14 (The Sun), Chapter 7 (Earth-Moon System, Oceans-Life)

Quiz II Jovian Planets Through Metorites.

10 ( 3/11, 13) Chapter 13: sections 1, 4, and 5; start Chapter 15

11 ( 3/18) Chapter 15: Finish the entire chapter.

12 ( 3/25) FINAL EXAM (3/20) 35%

Important Dates: 1/18 Drop, Refund, 2/1 Drop Deadline, P/F option, 2/29 Withdraw.

Astronomy 10A

Introduction to the Solar System

(Planets and Life Here and Elsewhere)

Instructor: Alan Federman

E-mail: alan.federman@gmail.com

This is a non-technical, non-mathematical introduction to the planets, moons and other astronomical bodies in our own solar system, the recent discovery of (sometimes unusual) planets around other stars, and the search for extra-terrestrial life. By non-mathematical, I mean you won’t need to use a scientific (or any kind) of calculator, you will still need to add, subtract, multiply and rarely divide. We also will discuss the scientific method, and the techniques and tools used to study distant stars and worlds.

Topics Covered

1. A Grand Tour of the Universe and Our Solar System

2. The Nature of Science, and the History of Astronomy

3. How do we gather information about the Cosmos?

4. Mars, Venus, Earth, and Mercury *The Terrestrials

5. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune * The Jovians

6. Pluto, Charon and other similar objects

7. Comets, Asteroids, and Meteoroids

8. Cosmic Catastrophes: Impacts and other ELEs

9. The origin of the Universe and Solar System, deep time

10. The Search for Extra-solar Planets

11. The Search for Life elsewhere in the Universe

12. Space Travel: Separating the Science from the Fiction.

13. Communication Across Cosmic Distances: Can ET phone home?

Textbook: Fraknoi, Morisson, and Wolff:, Voyages to the Planets, 3^rd ed. (2004, Brooks-Cole)

Reading assignments will be posted via handouts, and the internet. Everyone needs to have an E-mail address that can be accessed frequently to receive assignments and links to additional materials. Please send a message from the account you wish to use to my e-mail address posted above. Assigned reading will be fair game for tests and surprise quizzes.

Astronomy 10A: Course Rules and Requirements: <- IMPORTANT

1. We may occasionally divide the class into groups to perform group activities. These activities will count for your grade.

2. Attendance matters. Poor attendance can lower your grade as much as a full letter. Bring a Scantron Sheet and a #2 pencil to class each day.

3. If you drop the course, you must inform the instructor. Otherwise, an F will result. This looks real bad for your record.

4. There will be one midterm (25%) and a Final (45%). For each of these exams you will be allowed to bring one 3x5” card of notes. There also will be quizzes (announced and surprise 20%) group activities (5%) and attendance 5% - or more!

5. The accompanying lab, Astronomy 10L, is optional, but recommended for those who need a lab science. You can take this lab now or in the future. These tend to fill quickly, so register early.

6. Disrupting the class will not be tolerated. I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

7. You are responsible for all exams, assignments, and other work, whether you are here or not. I will attempt to upload my slide sets and handout to the Internet, but can’t promise they will be there before class. You are encouraged to find a study group or buddy to go over class material. A rule of thumb is you should spend an equal amount of time both in and outside of class (4-8 hours).

8. Besides teaching this class, I have a 9-5 job, so I won’t be able to schedule office hours. I plan to leave sometime open after each lecture for those of you who wish to speak to me in person. I will respond to e-mail – and depending on the class, may open a class Blog.

First Homework Assignment:

1. Get the textbook, and 6 Scantron Sheets (green form 882)

2. Read the Preface for the Student, the Prologue, Section 6.1, Start Chapter 4.

Introduction

Links and Documents will be posted here!