This is the main page for Astronomy 161. Use the links in the table below to download web pages with class notes and supplemental reading. At any time, the schedule for future lectures is somewhat uncertain - things can always change. Unlinked items are not yet available. To make sure this page is up to date, refresh the page every time you load it. (Use the refresh button on your browser!). Reading assignments that just say "Chapter X" without specifying particular sections are guidelines only. Detailed reading assignments will always have section numbers.

See important notes below this page for other policies.

Date	Topic	Reading assignments	Homework
F 1/4	Introduction to Astronomy 161	Textbook, Chapter 1, all sections Basic approach to the course Policy on exams and grading Instructor expectations for student participation Office hours and contact information
M 1/7	The daily motion of the sky	Chapter 2, sections 2.1 and 2.2	Homework #1 issued
W 1/9	Long-term motions on the sky	Chapter 2, sections 2.3 through 2.5
F 1/11	Ancient models of the solar system The Copernican Revolution	Chapter 3, sections 3.1 and 3.2.
M 1/14	A day to catch up: Kepler's laws		Homework #1 due
W 1/16	Newtonian physics and gravity, lecture #1	Chapter 3, sections 3.3 through 3.5	Answers to homework #1
F 1/18	Exam #1
M 1/21	University Holiday
W 1/23	Newtonian physics and gravity, lecture #2 (no new notes)	Chapter 3, sections 3.3 through 3.5	Homework #2 issued
F 1/25	What is astrophysics?		Answers to Exam #1 (pdf)
M 1/28	Tools for Astrophysics, #1	Chapter 4, sections 4.1 through 4.4	Homework #3 issued
W 1/30	Tools for Astrophysics, #2	Chapter 4, sections 4.5 and 4.6	Homework #2 due
F 2/1	Tools of the astronomer	Chapter 5, all sections	Answers to homework #2
M 2/4	Imaging and spectroscopy	Chapter 5, all sections	Homework #3 due
W 2/6	Satellites and space astronomy	Chapter 5, all sections	Answers to homework #3
F 2/8	Exam #2
M 2/11	Ideas of equilibrium temperature and energy balance	See notes for Wed. 2/13
W 2/13	Earth: atmosphere, global warming	Chapter 8, sections 8.1 through 8.3	Homework #4 issued
F 2/15	Earth: atmosphere atmospheres of the terrestrial planets	Chapter 8, sections 8.4 through 8.6
M 2/18	Interiors of the terrestrial planets (part 1)	Chapter 7, all sections	Answers to exam #2
W 2/20	Interiors of the terrestrial planets (part 2)	Chapter 7, all sections	Homework #4 due Homework #5 issued
F 2/22	Structure of the giant planets	Chapter 9, first half
M 2/25	Atmospheres of the giant planets	Chapter 9, second half
W 2/27	Rings and moons	Chapter 11, all sections	=Answers to homework #5
F 2/29	Comets and asteroids	Chapter 12, all sections	Homework #6 issued
M 3/3	Exam #3		Topics for exam #3
W 3/5	Planets around other stars
F 3/7	Life in the Universe		Answers to homework #6
M 3/10	Final exam, 11:30 a.m.

Students with Disabilities

Academic Misconduct

Classroom Etiquette

Use of cell phones and pagers is prohibited.

This includes using cell phones for instant messaging, email, web, pictures, etc. When in class, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off (do not simply put them into stand-by "silent ring" modes).

Use of Wireless Laptops or other networked devices is prohibited.

Surfing the web, instant messaging, reading email or typing on a keyboard during class is extremely distracting to those around you. When in class, all laptop computers and other networked devices (especially devices like PDAs and Blackberries that can be used for 2-way communications, email, IM, etc.) must be turned off and put away. Exceptions will be made for assistive technologies for the vision- or hearing-impaired in consultation with the professor.

GEC Goals and Objectives

• Understanding the basic principles and central facts of astrophysics, and their relation to other ideas in the physical and biological sciences.

• Understanding how we discovered the important principles and facts of astrophysics, thus understanding key events in the history of science both as events in human history and as case studies in the methods of science.

• Investigating the relationship between science and technology,

• Understanding the social and philosophical implications of major scientific discoveries.

In Astronomy 161, the specific learning objectives to achieve these course goals are:

• To investigate the basic facts, principles, theories, and methods of modern science as practiced in astrophysics.

• To learn the basic observable phenomena of astronomy, and how these have had both practical applications (time keeping and calendars), and played a key role in advancing our understanding of the Universe.

• To learn important events in the history of astronomy, particularly the development of our understanding of the nature of the Solar System and the discovery of the physical laws that govern its motions, formation history, and evolution.

• To explain the role of modern technology in the investigation of astrophysical phenomena, and the crucial role played by technological advances in extending our knowledge of the Universe.

• To explore how discoveries in astrophysics have implications for how we have come to view our place in the Universe, and by comparing the Earth to other planets in our Solar System provide a physical framework for understanding the possible impacts of our activities on the Earth.