Instructors:	Ata Sarajedini
Class time:	Section 1025 MWF 12:50pm - 1:40pm FLG 280 Final Exam - December 16, 7:30am - 9:30am
Text Book:	ASTRONOMY: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe 6th Edition (Chaisson and McMillan)
Office:	Bryant Space Science Center 222
Office Hours:	MW 1:40 PM - 2:40 PM or by appointment
Office Telephone:	352-392-2052 x238
Email:	ata@astro.ufl.edu
Course Web Page:	http://www.astro.ufl.edu/~ata/ast1002/

COURSE CONTENT:

This course offers a broad overview of modern astronomy. The goal is to help you gain a physical understanding for how the universe you live in works. Topics to be covered include:

• The motions of the sky
• The development of our understanding of the Universe
• The properties of the planets within our solar system
• The nature and lives of stars
• The nature of our Milky Way Galaxy
• Properties of other galaxies
• The origin of the Universe

COURSE SCHEDULE

PDF Handouts (*.pdf)

Test 1 Review Notes

Test 2 Review Notes

Test 3 Review Notes

CLASS REQUIREMENTS and EXPECTATIONS

• EXAMS: Three midterm exams will be given during class time according to the course schedule. The lowest score on the midterms will be dropped. The final exam will be given during finals period. Each exam will consist of several multiple choice questions. THESE EXAMS SHOULD NOT BE MISSED! Only the most extenuating circumstances will excuse you from them. The combined score from the midterms will count for 50% of the final grade. The final exam will be worth 25% of your final grade.

• OBSERVING PROJECT: Part of the fun of astronomy is the opportunity to do actual observations through a telescope. You will complete a short observing assignment at the campus observatory just south of the Reitz Union. Public open houses are held every clear Friday night from 8:30pm to 10:00pm. Attend the open house and observe TWO astronomical objects through the telescopes. Describe the objects you observed by answering the questions on the observing form, one form for each object. You should obtain a token from the telescope operator to attach to these forms. Your observational project can be done anytime throughout the semester however the completed forms will be due on the last day of class on December 9th. The combined results of these reports will be worth 10% of your final grade. No excuse will be accepted for failing to do this observing project, so plan early!

• CLASS PARTICIPATION: Your major homework responsibility for this class will be to complete the reading assignments given in the course schedule and at the end of each lecture. By keeping up with the reading, you will be able to better participate during class. Your attendance and participation is essential to getting the most out of the course material. Periodically, short in-class quizzes will be given at the end of a lecture. Your participation and the results of these assignments will count for 15% of your final grade.

• TAKING NOTES: You should come to class having already done the required reading for the particular subject to be covered. Make sure to bring your textbook with you to class. I will make the presentation slides available on the class web page (click on 'PDF' for each chapter). I would recommend that you print out these slides and take notes on them during class.

• OVERALL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: I teach because I enjoy conveying knowledge to students. However, it is YOUR responsibility to let me know when a certain concept or idea has not been clearly understood. Don't be afraid to ask questions during class - interrupt if you have to. Feel free to meet with me during office hours or make an appointment if you'd like. The sooner in the semester you talk to me, the better the chance that we can clarify any confusing ideas. Remember that Astronomy, like other disciplines, is established upon a set of foundational concepts on which a heirarchy of knowlege is built. What this means is that if you fall behind on understanding the material early in the semester, it is very hard to catch up.

GRADING:

Midterms	50%
Final	25%
Observing Project	10%
Class Participation	15%
TOTAL	100%

INTERNET RESOURCES:

• Astronomy picture of the day
• Sky and Telescope Magazine
• The Hubble Space Telescope
• Bad Astronomy
• Astronomy Notes
• Helioseismology
• Mars Odyssey
• Andy Layden's Parallax Animation