Astronomy 101: The Solar SystemCourse OutlineChapter 1: Overview and Scale of the UniverseMath reviewPowers of 10Scientific notationUnits of measurementLight yearSize and scale of the UniverseAge of the UniverseOrigin of elements in the cores of starsExpansion of the UniverseMotion of the Earth & SunChapter 2: Observing the Sky and the Celestial SphereThe Solar System, star clusters, galaxiesThe Scientific MethodConstellationsThe Celestial SphereDiurnal (daily) motion & impact on observing the skyAnnual motion & impact on observing the skyAngles & angular measurementsPrevalence in astronomyUnits of angle measurementAngular diameter vs. linear diameterThe Milky WayThe Local skyAltitude & azimuthLatitude & longitudeAltitude of Polaris (the "North Star"): anavigation tool!Celestial motions & cycles of our livesThe definition of days, weeks, months, & yearshave astronomical originsPhases of the Moon & motion of the MoonSolar & lunar eclipsesCause of eclipsesTypes of eclipsesReasons that eclipses are rarely viewedThe seasons on EarthCause of the seasonsSolstices & equinoxesReason Venus & Mercury are "evening (or morning)stars"Retrograde motion of the planetsChapter 3: Astronomy Through the AgesAchievements and motivations of ancient cultures inastronomyStonehenge, Mayan astronomy, AnasaziastronomyAgricultural & religious purposesGreek astronomical concepts & achievementsLogical arguments of the Greek philosophersFeatures of the Ptolemaic model of the SolarSystemFlaws of the Greek modelParallaxCopernicus, Brahe, Kepler, & GalileoKepler's LawsGalileo's observations and arguments against theGreek modelChapter 4: Energy & MatterUsing proportionalitiesBasic types of energyConservation of energyKinetic energyPotential energy (e.g., gravitational, chemical)Thermal energyHeat vs. temperatureTemperature scalesPhases and properties of matterSolid, liquid, gas, and "plasma"Electric chargeProperties of atomsElectrons, protons, & neutronsAtomic number & atomic mass number (alsoknown as atomic weight)IsotopesIonsMoleculesEnergy levelsMatter-energy: E = mc2Two types of nuclear reactions: fission & fusionChapter 5: Laws of MotionFour fundamental forces of natureSpeed, velocity, & accelerationScalar vs. vector quantitiesAcceleration due to gravityMomentum & ForceConservation of momentumMass vs. weightNewton's laws of motionNewton's universal law of gravitationAngular quantities, e.g., angular momentum & torqueConservation of angular momentumOrbital motionBalance of orbital velocity vs. gravityEscape velocityTypes of orbitsOrbital energy & orbital encountersKepler's laws as explained by NewtonTidesTides on EarthTidal frictionSynchronous rotationExamples of tidal effects throughout the SolarSystemChapter 6: LightLight carries energy & informationBasic characteristicsWavelength, frequency, energy, speedDual natureParticle-like characteristicsWave-like characteristicsThe electromagnetic spectrumTypes of lightWhite lightInteraction of light & matterSpectroscopyEmission vs. absorption vs. continuum spectraThermal radiationSound waves vs. light wavesThe Doppler effectChapter 8: Observations of the Solar SystemLayout & observed motionsTerrestrial vs. jovian planetsAsteroids & cometsCharacteristicsDistribution in the Solar System (asteroid belt,Kuiper Belt, Oort CloudOdd cases & exceptionsNotable features of all planetsChapter 9: Formation of the Solar SystemKey observational constraintsBasic governing physicsGravity, conservation of energy, angularmomentum, & linear momentumBuilding the Solar SystemCondensation, accretion, & planetesimalcollisionsThe "frost line"Explanation of terrestrial vs. jovian planetsJovian moonsSolar windTransfer of the Sun's angular momentumOrigin and distribution of the asteroids & cometsExplanation of exceptionse.g., origin of the MoonRadiometric dating & age of the Solar SystemRadioactive decay & half lifeExtrasolar planetsDifficulty of direct detection in imagesDetection by Doppler effect wobbleCenter of massRadial velocity: period & amplitudeEffect of orbit inclinationDetection by planets by transitsProperties & puzzles for nebular theoryChapter 10: Terrestrial world geology & interiorsTechniques for measurement of interior propertiese.g., seismic wavesContrasting geological properties of terrestrial worldsInternal structureCore, mantle, & crustLithosphereDifferentiationHeating of terrestrial interiorsAccretion, differentiation, & radioactive decayPeriod when these processes occurCooling of terrestrial interiorsConvection, conduction, eruptions, & thermalradiationImportance of planetary sizeMagnetic fieldsElectromagnetsRequirements for terrestrial magnetic fieldEarth's magnetosphereAurora ("northern lights")Terrestrial planet surface processesImpact cratering, volcanism, tectonics, erosionThe importance of convection & planetary sizeChapter 11: Terrestrial planet atmospheresEquilibrium in naturePressure in planetary atmospheresPressure vs. weightThe atmospheres of Mercury & the MoonThe atmospheres of Venus, Earth, & MarsEffects & benefits of an atmospherePower from the Sun: solar luminosity & flux (seesection 16.2 in text)Absorption of light by moleculesRotational & vibrational energyThe Greenhouse effectEquilibrium surface temperatureDistance from the SunOverall reflectivityGreenhouse effectStructure of the Earth's atmosphereTroposphere, stratosphere, thermosphere, &exosphereThe ozone layer & pollutionThe reason the sky is blue & sunsets are redLong-term climate change factorsSolar brightness & habitable zoneRotation axis tiltGreenhouse effectPlanetary reflectivityMeteors & meteoritesCatastrophic collisions & mass extinctionNear-earth asteroids: understanding the threat &astronomical programs to find near-earth asteroidsSources & losses of atmospheric gases, and theEvolution of terrestrial planet