Spring 2014

Astronomy

M Weber

I. Time-Keeping
Advanced (A) Identify common constellations and stars given celestial coordinates Explain why eclipses sometimes happen and sometimes dont Explain the idea of precession. Discuss the adjustments that have been made to the calendar system to account for solar and sidereal differences. Describe two different ideas for how the moon was formed Intermediate (B) Identify common constellations Northern Hemisphere o Orion, Ursa Major/Minor, Cassiopeia, Draco, Lyra, Pleiades, Auriga, Cepheus Identify common bright stars o Sirius, Arcturus, Vega, Capella, Rigel, Betelgeuse, Aldenbaran, Antares, Regulus, Polaris, Kochab, Thuban, Alcyone, Bellatrix, Dubhe, Delta Cephei, Eltanin Compare and contrast Solar, sidereal and synodic o Days, months, years Discuss the means by which the phases of the moon are formed Basic (C) Introductory (D) Describe the celestial Vocab sphere and the pieces used to o Universe, lightyears, track time theory, constellations, o Poles, ecliptic, etc celestial sphere, celestial poles, angular measurements, celestial Describe the coordinates, equinoxes/solstices sidereal/solar, ecliptic, zodiac, summer/winter Describe the importance of solstice, vernal/autumnal the zodiac equinox, precession, leap year, synodic, eclipse, umbra, penumbra List the phases of the moon

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Spring 2014

Astronomy

M Weber

II.
Advanced (A)
Explain Keplers 2nd law of motion How do each of Newtons laws apply space Compare and contrast Newton and Einsteins version of gravity Describe the means by which different objects (missiles, satellites, shuttles) achieve their flight patterns Discuss the Doppler effect as seen in the space Compare and contrast reflecting/refracting telescopes

The Science
Basic (C)
Describe the means by which the Ancients kept time Stonehenge, Maya temples, etc Describe Newtons three laws Describe the different means by which radiation traverses spaces (EM) Describe thermal radiation Describe the basic structure of an atom (Bohr)

Intermediate (B)
Discuss the proof present for the geocentric model of the solar system Discuss the proof present for the Copernican model of the solar system Describe a wave of two difference kinds of EM radiation Discuss the wave/particle dual nature of radiation Discuss how emission spectra help determine the makeup of a star

Introductory (D)
Vocab o Geocentric, heliocentric, period, ellipse, eccentricity, mass, inertia, velocity, weight, acceleration, gravity, center of mass, escape speed, electronamgetic radiation, visible light, radio waves, x rays, gamma radiation, wave motion, wavelength, amplitude, frequency, thermal radiation, Doppler Effect, atomic emission spectra, reflecting telescope, refracting telescope

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Spring 2014

Astronomy

M Weber

III. The Solar System

Advanced (A)
Why are the terrestrial planets closer to the sun? Discuss the reasoning behind calling Venus Earths sister Discuss the reasoning behind calling Mars Earths future Discuss Jupiters resemblance to a star Discuss the model requirements for understanding our solar system (p384)

Intermediate (B)
Describe the formation of the planets Describe the evidence that has lead scientists to believe there might have been life on Mars Describe the Galilean Moons. Pluto: planet or not? Compare and contrast meteor, meteoroid, asteroid and comet Discuss the condensation theory of planetary formation (p392)

Basic (C)
Discuss the importance of Earths spinning core Compare and contrast the 8 planets o Size o Rotation/Revolution rate o Core o Atmosphere o Moons o Tectonics o Oddities (red spot, rings, etc) Compare and contrast the orbits of comets, planets and asteroids

Introductory (D)
Vocab o Solar system, Density, terrestrial planets, jovian planets, asteroid, meteoroid, solar wind, solar nebula, angular momentum, synchronous orbit, perihelion, aphelion, asteroid belt, comet, Kuiper belt, Oort Cloud, Diagram the inner structure of Earth Diagram the solar system Diagram a comet

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Spring 2014

Astronomy

M Weber

IV. Stellar Evolution

Advanced (A)
Discuss the role of magnetism on the Sun Discuss the rotation of the Sun Discuss a star in terms of spectral classification, stellar colors/temperatures, and luminosity Discuss why stars end in different ways Describe the oddness of a black hole

Intermediate (B)
Discuss how the law of conservation of mass and energy accounts for the Suns energy production Discuss the lead up to and occurrence of solar activity Describe a binary star system Discuss the life of a star

Basic (C)
Discuss the surface of the Sun Label main sequence stars Label the stages of star formation and life List the option of star death

Introductory (D)
Vocab o Star, corona, nuclear fusion, hydrostatic equilibrium, solar wind, sunspots, sunspot cycle, prominence, flare, coronal mass ejection, parsec, red giant, supergiant, dwarf, brown dwarf, planetary nebulae, ejected envelope, white dwarf, black dwarf, supernova, neutron star, black hole, singularity, time dilation Diagram the Sun

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Spring 2014

Astronomy

M Weber

V.
Advanced (A)
Discuss the evidence for dark matter and dark energy in the universe Explain red shift Describe an active galaxy p658 Discuss the proposed end of the cosmos?

The Cosmos
Basic (C)
Label different types of galaxies Describe galaxy collisions

Intermediate (B)
Describe gravitational lensing Compare and contrast different types of galaxies (p640)

Introductory (D)
Vocab o Spiral galaxies, dark matter, gravitational lensing, barred spiral galaxy, elliptical galaxy, irregular galaxy, quasar,

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