DISCOVERING THE UNIVERSE

A COURSE IN ASTRONOMY AT NEW HOPE OBSERVATORY, GRANTS PASS, OREGON

Monday’s 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm.  Night Sky & Observatory sessions in the second 1¼ hours after the + sign.

PART I – DISCOVERING THE TOOLS ASTRONOMERS USE.

WEEK 1: Introduction, History, Telescopes & Observatories + tour of Observatory & viewing session. 

WEEK 2: Light, Electromagnetic Radiation and Spectra + star maps & terms – Scorpius, Ara & Ursa Major.

WEEK 3: Speed of Light & Scientific Anomalies + StarTypes – Bootes, Hercules, Ophiuchus/Serpens, Corona.

WEEK 4: The Zero Point Energy, its Origin & Atomic Behavior + Observing the Moon & Observatory session. 

WEEK 5: Origin of Spectra, Radioactivity, Gravitation & Relativity + Sagittarius, Scutum & Capricornus

WEEK 6: Review Session + Exam.

WEEK 7: The Waltz of the Planets and Laws of Planetary Motion + Results of Exam & Discussion.

PART II. DISCOVERING THE SOLAR SYSTEM

WEEK 8: Models of Solar System Formation + Cygnus, Aquila, Lyra, Delphinus & Observatory session.

WEEK 9: The Earth – Models Accounting for Internal Structure + Earth’s Geological Column & its Features.

WEEK 10: The Christmas Star – Part 1 + The Christmas Star – Part 2.

WEEK 11: Moon (1) – Craters, Maria, Highlands & Radiometric Dates + Moon (2) – Geological Processes etc.

WEEK 12: Review Session + Exam.

WEEK 13: Aquarius, Pisces Austrinus, Grus, Pisces & Triangulum + Results of Exam & Discussion.

WEEK 14: The Planet Mercury & its Features + Mercury - Geological History - Space probe results & Video.

WEEK 15: The Planet Venus – Basic Data Features & Overview + Geological History - Probe Results & Video.

WEEK 16: Review Session + Exam.

WEEK 17: The Planet Mars – Videos From the Probes & Landers + Results of Exam & Discussion.

WEEK 18: The Planet Mars – Basic features & data + Detailed discussion of features & Geological History.

WEEK 19: Planet Jupiter & Moons – Basic features & data, including probe data + Observatory session.

WEEK 20: The Planet Saturn & Rings – Basic features & data  + Probe Videos of Jupiter, Saturn & Moons..

WEEK 21: The Planets Uranus & Neptune & Their Moons + Taurus, Cetus, Eridanus, Orion & Lepus.

WEEK 22: Vagabonds of the Solar System (1) Asteroids & Meteorites + (2) Pluto & Kuiper Belt (TNO/KBO’s).

WEEK 23: Vagabonds of Solar System (3) Comets + Perseus, Auriga, Gemini, Canis Maj/Min & Monoceros

WEEK 24: Complete Solar System Review Part 1 + Complete Solar System Review Part 2 + take home Exam

PART III. DISCOVERING THE STARS, GALAXIES & THE UNIVERSE.

WEEK 25. Understanding the Sun + Videos – Standard Solar Model & Plasma Solar Model + Exam Check.

WEEK 26. Summary Life & Death of Stars (study Notes - homework) + Solar Storm DVD + Observing Session

WEEK 27. Discussion  on study Notes ‘The Life and Death of Stars’ + Cancer, Leo, Hydra, Crater, Corvus.

WEEK 28. Characteristics of Galaxies & Galaxy clusters + Plasma Model presentation from Thunderbolts DVD.

WEEK 29. The Riddle of the Redshift & Other Problems + Virgo, Libra, Coma Berenices & Canes Venatici

WEEK 30. Models of Cosmos Formation: Big Bang/Plasma/ZPE – Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Ursa Minor, Draco.

WEEK 31. Final Review + Exam.

WEEKS 32 - 37: Depending on holidays PART III may be expanded + Project Time: additional total 13 hrs.

Total Theory input = 37.5 hours. Total Practical input = 37.5 hours