Astronomy 212: The Solar System

Some Goals:

I hope to instill in each student an interest in and appreciation for the beauty of the Universe, and a respect for the fragility of our particular corner of it. Astronomy is almost unique among the physical sciences in that it has a strong amateur following; I hope that some students will join amateur groups now or in the future. Astronomy is also a topic of great popular interest, and I hope that all students will become knowledgeable in the key issues, so that they may speak intelligently at social gatherings (for example,Thanksgiving dinner) and may be inclined to read newspaper articles on astronomy when they appear.

Grandiose ideas aside, I think each student would benefit by keeping the following goals in mind throughout the semester ... they contain some of the important ideas to take away from the course (and to be conversant with at the time of the final exam!).

• Describe the cause of the seasons, lunar phases, eclipses, and planet motions.
• Describe the scale of the solar system and its implications for space travel.
• Describe the process whereby the solar system was formed and how this process led to the different planets.
• Discuss the differences between astronomy and astrology. Consider how this affects your perception of the world.
• Compare and contrast the properties of the recently discovered extra-solar planets with those of our solar system &endash; is life likely to have formed on them?
• Experience astronomical observations with the telescopes at BGSU.