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Tentative lecture Schdule and Reading Assignments

"Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand."
Chinese Proverb

PHYSICS 20A: Schedule " Introduction to Astronomy "

Spring Quarter 2000. Course Code: 47195
Instructor: H. Tahsiri

-------Homework: Do all of the "Conceptual Questions and Figure-Based Questions" as a HW at the end of each chapters ---------

Week 1  MWF
Topic:            Introduction; The Constellations
Reading:        Fix, Ch. 1 & 2
Asignment:   Homework 1

 

Week 2  MWF
Topic:             Eclipses & Ancient Astronomy; Renaissance Astronomy
Reading:         Fix, Ch. 3 & 4
Assignment:    Homework 2

  • Discussions: Activity Manuals / CD .
  • Video 2 (1/2 hour ): The Sky: Ancient History: Star Magnitude: Celestial Sphere: Soltices and Equinoxes: Rising Sun: Zodiac: Earth Precessions: Retrograde Motion.

    •  

    Week 3  MWF
    Topic:             Gravitation & Motions of Planets
    Reading:         Fix, Ch. 5
    Assignment:    Homework 3

  • Discussions: Activity Manuals / CD .
  • Video 3 ( 1/2 hour ): Cycle of Sky: Moon's Phases: Tides: Eclipses ( Sun and Moon ).

    •  

    Week 4  MWF
    Topic:             The Nature of Light & Matter; The Solar System
    Reading:         Fix, Ch. 5 & 6
    Assignment:   Homework 4 

  • Discussions: Activity Manuals / CD .
  • Video 4 ( 1/2 hour ): The origin of Modern Astronomy: Copernicus, Kepler and Gallelio.

    •  

    Week 5  MWF -- MIDTERM on Friday, May 5
    Topic:             The Sun
    Reading:         Fix, Ch. 7
    Assignment:   Homework 5

     

    Week 6  MWF
    Topic:             The Earth
    Reading:         Fix, Ch. 8
    Assignment:   Homework 6

     

    Week 7  MWF
    Topic:             The Moon ; Mercury: Venus
    Reading:         Fix, Ch. 9 & 10
    Assignment:   Homework 7

  • Discussions: Activity Manuals / CD .
  • Video 6 ( 1/2 hour ): Atoms and Star lights: Spectra & Spectroscopy: Temp and Motion: Doppler Effect.

    •  

    Week 8  MWF
    Topic:             Mars; Jupiter
    Reading:         Fix, Ch. 11 & 12
    Assignment:   Homework 8

  • Discussions: Activity Manuals / CD .
  • Video 7 ( 1/2 hour ): Planets.

    •  

    Week 9 MWF
    Topic:              Saturn; Uranus; Neptune; Pluto; Satellites
    Reading:          Fix, Ch. 12, 13, & 14
    Assignment:    Homework 9

  • Discussions: Activity Manuals / CD .
  • Video 8 ( 1/2 hour ): Planets.

    •  

    Week 10  MWF
    Topic:              Solar System Debris; Origin & Evolution of the Solar System
    Reading:          Fix, Ch. 15
    Assignment:    Homework 10

  • Discussions: Activity Manuals / CD .
  • Video 9 ( 1/2 hour ): Planets / Asteroids

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    Activities are due in class on Fri June 9th .

    FINAL EXAM is on Monday June 12 at 10:30 to 12:30

    Note: The preceding is my planned schedule as of the first day of classes. I reserve the right to make minor adjustments. I will try to give you adequate notice.

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