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Syllabus Links Schedule Grades

Schedule PHYS 1304 - Solar System Astronomy


Date Topic Reading Due
8-26 Introduction    

8-29

Our Place in the Universe 1.1-1.2  
8-31 Spaceship Earth 1.3-1.4  
9-2 Our View of the Sky and Seasons 2.1-2.3  
9-5 Labor Day    
9-7 Objects That Aren't Stars 2.4-2.6  
9-9 Everyday Science and Ancient Science 3.1-3.3 Assn 1
9-12 Copernicus, Modern Science, and Astrology 3.4-3.6 Quiz #1 (Answers)
9-14 Matter and Energy 4.1-4.2  
9-16 Atoms and Phases 4.3-4.4  
9-19 Linear Motion and Angular Motion 5.1-5.2 Assn 2
9-21 Force of Gravity and Tides 5.3-5.4 Quiz #2 (Answers)
9-23 Orbits and Acceleration of Gravity 5.5-5.6  
9-26 Properties of Light 6.1-6.2  
9-28 Spectra, Emmision, and Absorption 6.3-6.4  
9-30 Doppler Shift and Vision 6.5-7.1 Quiz #3 (Answers)
10-3 Telescopes 7.2-7.3 Assn 3
10-5 Atmospheric Effects and Non-visible Observing 7.4-7.5  
10-7 Midterm (review sheet)    
10-10 Tour of the Solar System 8.1-8.3  
10-12 Exploring the Solar System 8.4  
10-14 Fall Break    
10-17 Star and Planet Formation 9.1-9.3  
10-19 More Formation and Dating Rocks 9.4-9.5 Assn 4 & Quiz #4 (Answers)
10-21 Extrasolar Planets 9.6  
10-24 Planetary Geology 10.1-10.3  
10-26 Geological Processes, Moon, and Mercury 10.4-10.5  
10-28 Mars, Venus, and Earth 10.6-10.7  
10-31 Atmospheres, Greenhouse Effect, and Planetary Temperature 11.1-11.2 Assn 5
11-2 Atmospheric Structure, Weather and Climate 11.3-11.4  
11-4 Atmospheric Evolution and Climate History 11.5-11.6 Quiz #5 (Answers)
11-7 Jovian Planets and Interiors 12.1-12.2  
11-9 Jovian Atmospheres and Magnetospheres 12.3-12.4  
11-11 Origins    
11-14 Satellites and Rings 12.5-12.6  
11-16 Small Bodies, Asteroids 13.1-13.2 Assn 6
11-18 Meteorites and Comets 13.3-13.4  
11-21 Pluto and Impacts 13.5-13.6 Quiz #6 (Answers)
11-23 Earth Geology 14.1-14.2  
11-25 Thanksgiving    
11-28 Earth's Atmosphere, Oceans, and the Carbon Cycle 14.3-14.4  
11-30 Life on Earth and Lessons from other Planets 14.5-14.6  
12-2 Life Beyond Earth 24.1-24.3 Assn 7
12-5 Searching for Life and Course Conclusions 24.4-24.6