Schedule for GEO 154 - Astronomy
Fall 2008


The schedule below is subject to change. You should check this page periodically for updates. The exam dates will not change, but the content for the exams may.

Last modified: Sun Nov 02 18:42:22 Eastern Standard Time 2008

Date Required Reading *
(D=Discovery, MP=More precisely)
(Chaisson & McMillan)
Homework
(RD=Review & Discussion, P=Problem)
Suggested Reading
(Moche**)
Lecture:
25-Aug - - - Introduction;
Nature of Science;
The Sky We See;
Celestial Cycles
1-Sep - Web Assignment #1 - complete by midnight 9/6 - Holiday
8-Sep Ch1:  all
Appendices A-1, A-2
Ch. 1:
    RD 1, 2, 4-6, 8-10, 13, 14;
    P 2
Introduction,
Ch. 1
Size of the universe;
Scientific Notation;
Astrology and Astronomy;
Science and Pseudoscience
15-Sep Ch. 2:  all Ch. 2:
    RD 2, 4, 5, 7-10, 13, 14, 16, 18
Introduction,
Ch. 1
Classical Astronomy;
Historical Development;
Basic Physics
22-Sep Ch. 3:  all
Ch. 4:  all
Ch. 3:
    RD 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11-15, 17
Ch.4:
    RD  1, 3-5, 12-14, 20
Ch. 2 Newton;
Radiation
29-Sep Ch. 5:  all Ch. 5:
    RD 1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 19
Ch. 2 Spectroscopy;
Telescopes;
Full spectrum astronomy;
Review for Exam 1
6-Oct Ch. 6: all - Ch. 8-11 Exam #1: Ch. 1-5;
Solar System Overview
13-Oct Ch. 6: all
Ch. 15: 15.1, 15.2, 15.5, 15.6
Ch. 6:
    RD 1, 2, 4-10, 12, 14, 17-20
Ch. 15:
    RD 1, 2, 15, 17
Ch. 3, 4 Solar System
Comparative Planetology
Solar System Formation
20-Oct - - - Holiday
27-Oct Ch. 16, 17 Ch. 16:
    RD 1-3, 5, 10, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20
Ch. 17:
    RD 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 11-13, 15, 18, 19
Ch. 3, 4 Sun
3-Nov Ch. 19:
    19.1-19.4, 19.6;
Ch. 20: all
Ch. 21:
    21.1-21.3;
Ch. 19:
    RD 1, 5-13, 15, 19
Ch. 20:
    RD 1-5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
Ch. 21:
    RD 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 15
Ch. 5 Stars, Stellar Birth and Evolution;
10-Nov Ch. 21;
Ch. 22:
    22.1, 22.2, 22.5, 22.6, 22.8
Ch. 22:
    RD 1, 3, 7, 10, 11-13, 15, 17, 18
Ch. 5 Exam #2 - Ch 6, 15-20;
Binary Star Evolution;
Stellar Death;
Stellar Corpses
17-Nov Ch. 23: all
Ch. 24: all
Ch. 23:
    RD 1-6, 9, 11, 14-16, 20
Ch. 24:
    RD 1-3, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 19
Ch. 6 Milky Way;
Galaxies
24-Nov Ch. 25: 25.1, 25.4;
Ch. 26: all
Ch. 27: 27.1, 27.4
Ch. 25:
    RD 2, 11, 12
Ch. 26:
    RD 2-7, 9, 10, 14, 15-18
Ch. 27:
    RD 12-15
Ch. 7 Cosmology
1-Dec Ch. 28: all Ch. 28:
    RD 1-3, 5-7, 9-13, 15-17, 19
Ch. 12 Life in the Universe;
Review
8-Dec - - - Final Exam: Cumulative

* NOTE:  If a reading assignment includes only certain sections of some chapters, it should be understood that the introduction and summary sections of that chapter are expected to be read, even though not explicitly listed on the assignment.  You are encouraged to read the entire chapter, and will probably find it easier to follow if you do so, but you should concentrate on learning the material in the specified sections.


Dr. Scott C. Smith