Astronomy 25 Course Objectives

The student shall be able to:

1. Judge whether a particular study is a science or a "pseudo-science" using the scientific method.

2. Diagram the positions of the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon during solar and lunar eclipses.

3. Predict the phase of the Moon seen in the sky, given the positions of the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, and the observer.

4. Explain the causes of seasonal variations in the length of the day, the direction of sunrise and sunset, and the amount of solar heating.

5. Explain how electromagnetic radiation and astronomical instruments are used to reveal the properties of stars and galaxies.

6. Diagram and explain radiative transport in the Sun. Explain the causes of surface features on the Sun.

7. Calculate the distance to a star.

8. Contrast the life history of a low-mass star with the life history of a high-mass star.

9. Explain how black holes are formed and their effect on their surrounding environment.

10. Describe the structure and contents of the Milky Way Galaxy.

11. Compare and contrast elliptical, spiral, peculiar, dwarf, and irregular galaxies.

12. Illustrate how galaxies are distributed through space.

13. Diagram the process of nuclear fusion.

14. Discuss the evidence for Dark Matter and Dark Energy.

15. Evaluate the significance of the major evidence in favor of the Big Bang theory.

16. Evaluate the possibility of intelligent life around a particular star.

Astronomy 25 Student Learning Outcomes

1.  Students will explain how electromagnetic radiation and
astronomical instruments are used to reveal the properties
of stars and planets.

2.  Students will be able to explain the causes of seasonal
variations in the length of the day, direction of sunrise and
sunset, and the amount of solar heating on the Earth.