ASTR 114 Elementary Astronomy Laboratory

Students learn to identify prominent stars and constellations and develop an understanding of basic astronomical measurements and calculations. Students explore measurements and calculations related to angular sizes, absolute and apparent magnitudes, stellar spectra, and sizes and motions of objects in our Solar System, our Galaxy, and beyond our Galaxy. Field trips, including at least one night-time observation, are required.

Credits

1

Prerequisite

MATH 037 or eligible to enroll in MATH 070. Pre- or corequisite: ASTR 104

Hours Weekly

2 hours lab

Course Objectives

1. Identify prominent stars and major constellations in the night sky.
2. Analyze potential sources of error or uncertainty in astronomical measurements and evaluate
   the reasonableness of claims based on these measurements.
3. Calculate the sizes, distances, and motions/apparent motions of objects in our Solar System
   from astronomical observations.
4. Identify absorption, emission, and blackbody spectra and analyze each spectrum to
   determine characteristics of a celestial body.
5. Explain the difference between absolute and apparent magnitude and use magnitude
   measurements to calculate stellar distances.
6. Analyze measurements of objects outside our Solar System to determine characteristics of
   our Galaxy and of the Universe beyond our Galaxy.
7. Apply basic algebra and trigonometry to common astronomical equations and diagrams to
   solve problems regarding distances, angular sizes, or temperatures.
8. Summarize evidence using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary.

Course Objectives

1. Identify prominent stars and major constellations in the night sky.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

2. Analyze potential sources of error or uncertainty in astronomical measurements and evaluate
   the reasonableness of claims based on these measurements.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Canvas quizzes; written reports

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

   Scientific Reasoning

   • SR3
3. Calculate the sizes, distances, and motions/apparent motions of objects in our Solar System
   from astronomical observations.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

4. Identify absorption, emission, and blackbody spectra and analyze each spectrum to
   determine characteristics of a celestial body.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

5. Explain the difference between absolute and apparent magnitude and use magnitude
   measurements to calculate stellar distances.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

6. Analyze measurements of objects outside our Solar System to determine characteristics of
   our Galaxy and of the Universe beyond our Galaxy.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

7. Apply basic algebra and trigonometry to common astronomical equations and diagrams to
   solve problems regarding distances, angular sizes, or temperatures.

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

   Scientific Reasoning

   • SR2
8. Summarize evidence using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Canvas quizzes; Written reports

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

   Scientific Reasoning

   • SR1