Astronomy: Students will learn the basics of observational astronomy, the relation between astronomical and geographical coordinate systems, and the origins of our systems of time measurement in observable astronomical cycles in our solar system. We will follow the historical impact of astronomy on human thought and activity. We will also introduce important topics in modern astrophysics. Students will study the structure, evolution and dynamics of stars, black holes, our solar system, galaxies, and the entire universe from the “big bang” to the far distant future. We will speculate on the possibility of non-terrestrial life, and on the place of our universe in several possible “multiverse” scenarios.
Grades: 11,12 Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1 and Physics or Honors Physics.
The course syllabus can be found in this excel spreadsheet.
Space is BIG! this spreadsheet tries to give a relative scale for size and distance,
We will take a field trip to the Williams College Planetarium & Observatory.
The general MGRHS field trip permission slip may be downloaded here
A PDF of the textbook The Cosmos, Astronomy in the new Millenium, 3rd Edition By Pasachoff & Filipenko is here.
It is a large file. It should be accessible to anyone logged in to the
MGRHS google schools domain. If you are having trouble accessing it,
send me a request through google or via email. Please identify yourself
so I can verify access.
