Maricopa Community Colleges  AST113   19956-99999 

Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 4-25-95

AST113  1995 Fall – 2010 Summer II

LAB

1 Credit(s)

3 Period(s)

Astronomy I Laboratory

Astronomical observations and exercises to supplement AST111.

Prerequisites or Corequisites: AST111.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

 

AST113  1995 Fall – 2010 Summer II

Astronomy I Laboratory

 

1.

Apply the scientific method and other critical thinking models to astronomical phenomena for hypotheses development, experimental design, data acquisition, and data analysis. (I-II)

2.

Demonstrate ability to follow directions in completing laboratory exercises. (I-II)

3.

Demonstrate ability to properly and safely use laboratory tools, e.g. calculator, computer, rulers, protractors, cameras, telescopes, photometers, magnifiers, maps, etc. for data acquisition, data analysis, or simulation. (I-II)

4.

Demonstrate ability to work effectively in collaborative groups. (I-II)

5.

Write accurate and meaningful reports analyzing experiments, both qualitatively and quantitatively. (I-II)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:

 

AST113  1995 Fall – 2010 Summer II

Astronomy I Laboratory

 

I. Scientific Method and Critical Thinking Models

II. Possible Laboratory Topics

A. Celestial motions

1. Sky at night

2. Kepler’s laws of planetary motion

3. Geocentric model versus the heliocentric model

4. Solar system dimensions

5. Telescopic observations

6. Astrophotography

7. Astrometry

8. Parallax

9. Celestial coordinate systems

B. Radiation

1. Electromagnetic spectrum

2. Radiation laws

3. Doppler effect

4. Spectroscopy

C. Telescopes

1. Optical telescopes

2. Resolution

3. Photometry

4. Astrophotography

D. Earth

1. Surface features

2. Earth-moon effects

3. Plate tectonics

4. Seasons

5. Astronomical systems of time

E. Earth’s moon

1. Orbit and rotation

2. Surface features

3. Cratering and volcanism

4. Telescopic observations

5. Astrophotography

F. Comparative planetology: the planets

1. Orbit and rotation

2. Surface or atmospheric features

3. Cratering and volcanism

4. Moons

5. Ring structure

6. Telescopic observations

7. Astrophotography

8. Photometry

G. Solar system debris

1. Asteroids

2. Comets

3. Meteoroids

4. Telescopic observations

5. Astrophotography

6. Photometry

H. Sun

1. Solar activity

2. Telescopic observations

3. Astrophotography

 

 

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