ASTR1300

Meets MN Transfer Goal 3 - Natural Sciences. This is an introductory astronomy course designed for nonscience majors. It emphasizes the physical sciences of astronomy, and covers the history of astronomy, properties of light, telescopes, formation of the solar systems, stellar configuration, stellar evolution, quasars, dark matter, galactic structure, and galactic evolution. This course may be taken on its own or alongside ASTR 1301 ? Astronomy Lab. Students are encouraged to enroll concurrently in ASTR 1301 to satisfy the lab science requirement. Student Learning Outcomes

• Describe fundamental physical principles and laws of astronomy.
• Demonstrate knowledge of measurement techniques used in contemporary astronomy.
• Define various astronomical objects including planets, dwarf planets, plutinos, plutoids, nebulae, asteroids, comets, and black holes.
• Describe lunar phases, eclipses, and the reasons for the seasons.
• Identify various positions of planets in planetary configuration.
• Explain Kepler's three laws of planetary motion.
• Outline the different components of an electromagnetic spectrum based on wavelength, frequency, and energy.
• Explain the theory of solar system and stellar system formation and evolution.
• Distinguish the physical properties of the planets of our solar systems.
• Identify different segments of star classification on Hertzsprung - Russel (H-R) diagram.
• Distinguish between planets and dwarf planets, reflection and refraction telescopes, plutinos, and plutoids, and retrograde motion and prograde motion.
• Explain the importance of Hubble's Law.