Astronomy

Astronomy Course Syllabus
Important Astronomy Dates
Text:   OpenStax Astronomy by Fraknoi, Morrison, Wolff, et al.
Astronomy Curriculum (Knox County Schools document)
Astronomy and Physics Tutorials
Mr. M's favorite internet Links for astronomy

Measurement and Calculation - The Mathematical Aspects of Astronomy
    Objectives & Homework     (see also Homework Requirements)     Answer Key
    Practice with SI units
    Practice with Speed and Rates
    Desmos Simulation:   Angular Diameter - understanding apparent size
    Where on Earth?
    Where in the Sky?         DIY craft project: Milligan's Angular Ruler
    Practice with Altitude and Azimuth
    Class Notes:   Unit Conversions & Order of Magnitude, Rates, Angles & Triangles, Spherical Coordinates
    Review Problems     Challenge Review Problems: Cannonball Pulsar   Blue Moon

The Visible Sky - Scientific Description and Analysis of the Sky's Appearance
    Objectives & Homework         Answer Key
    Quick Tour of World's Skies - explore the connection between place, time, and sky using Stellarium
    Astronomy vs. Astrology! - a pseudo-science debunked and a lesson on the zodiac...
    Moon Phase Diagram - print and shade
    Celestial Sphere Lab     (Download Stellarium here.)
    Class Notes:   Celestial Sphere, Time & Ecliptic, Planispheres, Obliquity & Seasons, Precession, Moon, Eclipses
    Review Questions & Problems     Review Challenge
    Observation Notebook - directions and assigned observations     Finder Charts

Cosmological Models - Various Theories and Laws Explaining the Sky's Appearance
    Objectives & Homework        Answer Key
    Wanderers Lab (advanced)     (Download Stellarium here.)
    Wanderers Lab (simplified)     (Uses Stellarium Web)
    Ptolemaic Venus - interactive Desmos animation
    Ellipse Notes and Ellipse Graph - interactive Desmos animation
    Planet Poster - includes directions how to make your own Milligan Ellipser^TM ellipse maker!
    Class Notes:   Planetary Motion, Aristotle & Ptolemy, Copernicus & Galileo, Kepler, Newton
    Review Questions & Problems

Electromagnetic Radiation - Analysis of Light: Spectroscopy, Telescopes, etc.
    Objectives & Homework         Answer Key
    Interactive Desmos graphs:  Wave Types,  3D Animated EM Wave
    Electromagnetic Radiation - Information and Practice
    Virtual Waves Lab
    Wave Phenomena Activity
    Blackbody Curves     Planck's Law - interactive Desmos graphs
    Doppler Effect - interactive Desmos animation
    Lens Activity
    Telescope Kit
    The Telescope Lab     (Materials for parts C - F:   Resolution Patterns,   Grid with 1 in. squares)
    Class Notes:   Wave Basics & EMR, Wave Phenomena, Blackbody & Doppler, Spectroscopy, Telescopes, Telescope Innovations
    Review Questions & Problems

The Sun - Structure, Properties, and Fusion
    Objectives & Homework        
    Sunspots & Solar Cycle Worksheet
            Graphical Analysis file download:    Sunspots Data (Chromebook)    Sunspots Data (Mac & Windows)
    Review Video: Secrets of the Sun - recent NOVA video and questions
    Class Notes:   Sun Basic Features, Sun's Energy, Sunspot Cycle, Sun's Magnetism
    Review Questions & Problems

Stars - Properties, Classifications, H-R Diagrams and Stellar Evolution
    Objectives & Homework        
    Star Data - tables of brightest, nearest, etc.
            Graphical Analysis file download:    Star Data (Chromebook)    Star Data (Mac & Windows)
    H-R Diagram - directions, questions, blank graph
    Star Poster - format and guidelines
    Class Notes:   Position & Motion, Size, Magnitude & Luminosity, B-V Index & Spectral Type, HR Diagram
    Review Questions & Problems

Solar System - Planets, Moons, Asteroids, Comets, etc.
    Study Guide - a list of objectives for this unit
    Planet Walk
    Solar System Project - Directions and Guidelines
    Project Rubrics - Grading Guidelines for Reports and Presentations

Final Exam!
    Study Guide - information and suggestions
    Practice Problems
    Review Problems & Questions - based on the black hole Sagittarius A^*
    Reference Page - for use during final exam