Course Number: Astro 1200
Course Name: The Sky and Solar System
Credits: 3 Cr
Spring Instructor: Steve Kawaler Fall instructor: Michaela Leung
Contact information: sdk@iastate.edu
PreReq: None
Associated courses: Astro 1020, Astro 1030 and Astro 1500
Format: One or two 50 minute lectures per week + one recitation section per week. In the Fall, one of the lecture slots is live-streamed + face-to-face.
Course description
- This course is for the non-science major as well as satisfying a requirement for an astronomy minor.
- This course uses the ISU planetarium weekly (face to face option only)
- In this course you will:
- Identify constellations in the night sky.
- Explain the nature of the phases of the moon, eclipses, the motion of planets and sun, and timekeeping.
- Grasp the knowledge of the ancients and key early historical developments in astronomy.
- Understand the nature of planets and satellites: their formation, composition, and geologic and atmospheric properties.
- Learn about comets, asteroids, and meteorites.
- Explore the possibility for extraterrestrial life and how we might contact intelligent life.
