Astronomy, Fall 2007

Progressive Lunar Phases

Repeated observations over time may show patterns that reveal relationships & increase understanding

ASTRONOMY, THE OLDEST SCIENCE

Astronomy has been studied by the ancient Greeks and many nautical civilizations, as well as the Egyptians and Chinese for thousands of years. It is the oldest of all sciences. In Italy during Galileo's time, students of the University studied astronomy and in the United States in the 1800's astronomy was one of the principal scientific disciplines studied in the US Universities. Currently in the US and worldwide, astronomy is undergoing a resurgence in student enrollment. Heritage is one of a handful of high schools in Colorado that actually offers a full astronomy class. Most Colorado Universities provide Astronomy elective courses and CU Boulder offers a major in Astronomy.

Modern astronomy is an integrated science because it includes the scientific disciplines of mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and many other specialty areas, such as nuclear physics.

The Heritage astronomy class requires attendance and participation in class 4 days a week, which includes labs, but also requires a minimum of two after school night time observation labs, one in Littleton and one at the Chamberlain observatory where everyone will view the nigh sky through the many different telescopes available through the Denver Astronomical Society. Specific handouts describing the requirements and schedule are provided in class and are also posted on this site.

This semester students and parents will be able to find out on-line the daily assignments, classwork, collected work, and handouts given out in class. In addition you will be able to access any videos used in class and all of the interactive content focused powerpoints used in class. I'd like to make available all handouts on-line as well. If a handout is for some reason unavailable on-line, it will be available in the classroom. All students grades are posted on-line.

Long term exposure of the evening star field.

Is the sky moving around the Earth or is the Earth rotating? How fast?

Astronomy tutorials. Click on a link below and you will connect to a location that may help you with helpful astronomy links. Some will be astronomy and others will be for allied disciplines. You may find other helpful hotlinks on the science resources page.

Rotating spiral galaxy

Not only are galaxies rotating, but the the cores are moving at great speeds outward

Excellent source for tutoring various astronomy concepts using animations

2007 astronomical observation calendar

Messier objects catalog

Constellations and their stars great resource site

Astronomy and Space

Astronomy assorted miscellaneous links

Lunar Phases tutorial

Binoculars and telescopes

Astronomy Glossary #2

Astronomy Glossary #3

Powers of Ten video (scale)

Lenses, prisms, physics of light, color, polarization, magnification, optical bench

This is what is expected of you in Astronomy. Some aspects of astronomy can be tough at times, but at these times you need to do the things necessary to understand what is being covered. The absolute worst thing you can do is blow it off and hope that the next part of the class will be easier. Some parts of astronomy build upon itself. Many topics are independent from others and are new and not cumulative. If you allow yourself to get behind in this class things will be extremely difficult for you.
A very complete listing of success guidelines is found as a hot link on the parent-student guidelines page.
1. Study the subject daily.

2. Do not let yourself get behind. As soon as you start struggling get the help you need to get back on top of the content. Do understand that there will be some confusion at times. This is normal when learning things that are new.

3. Do your own homework. Working in groups or with a friend may help you get done faster, but they will not be able to help you on a test. DO NOT COPY. Copying undermines your whole purpose of being at school and shows a real lack of personal integrity.

4. When you do your homework, classwork or take notes, keep your mind active. Try to understand the content. Don't be just a warm body that mimics the activities of a student.

5. Take time to read the textbook, preferably before class and after class. This will prepare you for the content that will be covered in class and help understand what was covered in class.

6. Stay positive. Your attitude is so important for your success in science and life in general as a citizen. If you approach chemistry with enthusiasm and curiosity you will find it so much easier and interesting than if you approach it with disdain.

7. Make use of the website tutorials and publishers practice resources. The publishers website has interactive quizzes and links to other sites (many are interactive) that are arranged according to the objectives that you need to know.

8. Study with a partner. When we know something we will be able to communicate and/or demonstrate it to someone else (isn't this the essence of tests - students communicating and demonstrating content and acquired skills back to the teacher). Quite often you may think you know something clearly but when the test comes you cannot put the ideas together clearly enough to do well. Studying with a partner and communicating the information back and forth will alert you to the content you do not fully understand.

9. Always check your work on tests.

10. Keep organized - you don't need the daily challenge of searching to find what you need.