Astronomy - Astronomy

Astronomy (ASTR 1110)

Total Credits: 3
Lecture Credits: 3.00

Description: This survey course introduces the objects and processes in the universe with particular emphasis on collections of ordinary matter like planets, stars, and galaxies; more exotic matter like pulsars, black holes, and dark matter; their interactions; and the human place in and responsibility to the environment. Topics include: stargazing; the scale of our universe; some history of astronomy; how astronomers know what they know; our solar system; comparative environments; threats to our environment; the Greenhouse Effect; other solar systems; the birth life and death of stars; dark matter and dark energy; and the origin and fate of our universe. This course has an optional lab (ASTR 1115). Completion of both ASTR 1110 and ASTR 1115 are required to count toward MnTC Goal Area 3.

Topical Outline:

Learning Outcomes:
1. 1. Illustrate and explain various astronomical phenomena, motions and sizes
2. 2. Illustrate the process of science giving examples from both the Copernican Revolution and everyday life
3. 3. Recognize the various kinds of spectra, describe how to produce each and explain the mechanisms at the atomic level that produce each
4. 4. Discuss potential threats to our environment such as meteors and global warming giving examples of how humans may or may not be involved
5. 5. Discuss the life and death of stars by outlining the current theory of how stars and planets form and discussing the various ways stars die including explaining how human existence depends critically on massive stars
6. 6. Give an overview of the Big Bang theory including how it explains the current state of the Universe and include supporting evidence

Prerequisites: 

High school algebra or equivalent.

MnTC: Goal 3