{"id":197,"date":"2016-05-30T21:49:48","date_gmt":"2016-05-30T21:49:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/arkosg\/?page_id=197"},"modified":"2024-08-20T23:30:03","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T23:30:03","slug":"astr-111-study-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/arkosg\/?page_id=197","title":{"rendered":"ASTR 111 Study Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#intro\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Introduction<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#history\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">History of astronomy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#navsky\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The sky, coordinates, star motions, navigating the sky<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#seasons_phases\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The seasons<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#eclipse\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phases of the Moon, eclipses<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#sol_sys\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Solar System<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#terra\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Earth, Earth-Moon system<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#moon\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Moon<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#mercury\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mercury<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#venus\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Venus<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#mars\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mars<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#jupiter\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jupiter, Saturn<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#outer\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Uranus, Neptune, Pluto<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#other\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Other Solar System objects<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"intro\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Introduction &amp; Background Material<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>What is the difference between the solar system, galaxy, and universe?<\/li>\n<li>List the planets, in order, from closest to the Sun outward.<\/li>\n<li>What is it that defines a science? \u00a0Does astronomy qualify? \u00a0Astrology?<\/li>\n<li>Define an astronomical unit (AU).<\/li>\n<li>What is a light year (ly)? \u00a0Why is it necessary to have such a unit?<\/li>\n<li>How are the AU and ly physically meaningful?<\/li>\n<li>How is the parsec defined?<\/li>\n<li>Put in order of increasing size: parsec, AU, ly<\/li>\n<li>Did the solar system form as a\u00a0<i>direct<\/i>\u00a0result of the Big Bang?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"history\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">History of Astronomy<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>What is retrograde motion? Why was it important, historically speaking?<\/li>\n<li>Describe the evolution from a geocentric to heliocentric model for our solar system.<\/li>\n<li>What contribution(s) did Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler and Newton make?<\/li>\n<li>Be able to discuss Kepler&#8217;s three laws of planetary motion.<\/li>\n<li>What is Newton&#8217;s Law of Gravitation? \u00a0Why was it an important discovery?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"navsky\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">The Sky,\u00a0Coordinates,\u00a0Star Motions, Navigating the Sky<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Understand the various coordinate systems used in astronomy.<\/li>\n<li>Define\/explain: celestial sphere, NCP, SCP, celestial equator, ecliptic, equinoxes, solstices<\/li>\n<li>Be able to label all of the important points on the Celestial Sphere.<\/li>\n<li>What effect does Earth&#8217;s rotation have on the motion of stars in the sky?<\/li>\n<li>How does your location on Earth affect what you see in the sky?<\/li>\n<li>What is precession? How has it impacted our view of the sky?<\/li>\n<li>What is the Zodiac? \u00a0Why was it important even to early cultures?<\/li>\n<li>Explain how constellations differ from asterisms.<\/li>\n<li>Discuss how to recognize the Big Dipper, and use it to find 2 other stellar objects.<\/li>\n<li>What makes Polaris special?<\/li>\n<li>What does Cassiopeia really look like?<\/li>\n<li>List the major stars in the Summer Triangle.<\/li>\n<li>Describe how to find the Andromeda Galaxy.<\/li>\n<li>What does Bootes look like? What is its major star?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"seasons_phases\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Seasons<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>What is the ecliptic? \u00a0Understand BOTH common definitions.<\/li>\n<li>What causes seasons on the Earth? What common answer is actually incorrect?<\/li>\n<li>Know where the Sun is (as seen from Earth) on solstices &amp; equinoxes.<\/li>\n<li>Understand and be able to explain the importance of axial tilt to the seasons.<\/li>\n<li>Define\/explain: Arctic &amp; Antarctic Circles, Tropics of Cancer &amp; Capricorn<\/li>\n<li>Give 2 reasons why are summers warmer than winters in the northern hemisphere.<\/li>\n<li>Discuss what conditions might be like on a planet with arbitrary axial tilt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"eclipse\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Phases of the Moon,\u00a0Eclipses<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Know the order of the lunar phases; be able to draw them, give rise\/set times.<\/li>\n<li>Explain the difference between synodic and sidereal periods of the Moon.<\/li>\n<li>List the conditions required for both solar and lunar eclipses.<\/li>\n<li>Define umbra and penumbra.<\/li>\n<li>Be able to discuss the three types of lunar eclipses in detail.<\/li>\n<li>Be able to discuss the three types of solar eclipses in detail.<\/li>\n<li>Why does the Moon appear red during a total lunar eclipse?<\/li>\n<li>Why are eclipses so rare?<\/li>\n<li>Why are solar eclipses so short compared to lunar eclipses?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"sol_sys\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Solar System<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>What is a nebula? A solar nebula?<\/li>\n<li>Why are the terrestrial (rocky) planets found closer to the Sun?<\/li>\n<li>Describe the time-line of planetary formation from planetesimals to planets.<\/li>\n<li>How did planetary formation affect things like the shape of orbits &amp; the ecliptic?<\/li>\n<li>What are comets and asteroids?<\/li>\n<li>How do we know how old the solar system is?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"terra\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Earth, Earth-Moon system<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>What is the Earth&#8217;s interior like? How do we know? \u00a0Describe its layers\/make up.<\/li>\n<li>What is Plate Tectonics? \u00a0What evidence is there for it?<\/li>\n<li>How did Earth&#8217;s atmosphere originally form? How did it change over time? Why?<\/li>\n<li>Be able to discuss the Earth&#8217;s magnetic field (origin, shape, function).<\/li>\n<li>Why do aurora form?<\/li>\n<li>Why do we have tides on the Earth? \u00a0What is their impact?<\/li>\n<li>Define spring and neap tides.<\/li>\n<li>What is synchronous rotation?<\/li>\n<li>Explain why the Moon is in synchronous rotation with the Earth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"moon\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Moon<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>List major surface features on the Moon.<\/li>\n<li>What is regolith? How does it differ from soil?<\/li>\n<li>Describe the various formation theories for the Moon.<\/li>\n<li>What is the interior of the Moon like? \u00a0How do we know?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"mercury\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Mercury<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>How does Mercury differ from the Moon? \u00a0List some unique characteristics.<\/li>\n<li>Discuss notable surface features and properties of Mercury.<\/li>\n<li>Why does Mercury have such a weak magnetic field?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"venus\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Venus<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Why is Venus so hot?<\/li>\n<li>Compare the atmospheres, past and present, of Earth and Venus.<\/li>\n<li>Why are there so few craters on Venus?<\/li>\n<li>Why do we have so few pictures of the surface of Venus?<\/li>\n<li>Be able to explain the Runaway Greenhouse Effect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"mars\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Mars<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Why has so much effort been expended on exploring Mars?<\/li>\n<li>What are the Martian &#8220;canals&#8221;?<\/li>\n<li>Discuss a few of the major surface features on Mars.<\/li>\n<li>Compare Mars&#8217; atmosphere to that of Earth.<\/li>\n<li>Did Mars ever have flowing water? What evidence is there?<\/li>\n<li>What happened to the water on Mars? \u00a0Why?<\/li>\n<li>Does Mars have moons? If so, how many &amp; describe their possible origin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"jupiter\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Jupiter &amp; Saturn<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>How big is Jupiter? What is it made of?<\/li>\n<li>Why does Jupiter have such a strong magnetic field?<\/li>\n<li>What are Jupiter&#8217;s belts and zones?<\/li>\n<li>What is the Great Red Spot, and why has it survived so long?<\/li>\n<li>Name all 4 Galilean moons and a few interesting facts about each.<\/li>\n<li>What forms the rings around Saturn?<\/li>\n<li>What other planets also have rings?<\/li>\n<li>Why is Saturn&#8217;s atmosphere less stormy than Jupiter&#8217;s?<\/li>\n<li>What is interesting about Saturn&#8217;s moon Titan?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"outer\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Uranus, Neptune &amp; Pluto<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>What strange feature does Uranus have compared to the other planets?<\/li>\n<li>What gives Neptune its distinctive colour?<\/li>\n<li>Compare the outer planets to each other.<\/li>\n<li>What is unusual about Pluto?<\/li>\n<li>What is Charon? \u00a0What makes it unusual?<\/li>\n<li>Why is Pluto not a planet?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_top\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" name=\"other\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\">Other Solar System objects<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>How do asteroids, comets and meteors compare to each other? Differ?<\/li>\n<li>Where are most asteroids located? \u00a0Comets?<\/li>\n<li>What is the difference between meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites?<\/li>\n<li>What are the 3 main components of a comet when it is near the Sun?<\/li>\n<li>Why do comets develop tails?<\/li>\n<li>Are we prepared for a large impact? \u00a0Why is this question relevant &amp; important?<\/li>\n<li>What happened to the dinosaurs? \u00a0Could it happen to us?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction History of astronomy The sky, coordinates, star motions, navigating the sky The seasons Phases of the Moon, eclipses The Solar System Earth, Earth-Moon system Moon Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter, Saturn Uranus, Neptune, Pluto Other Solar System objects Introduction &amp; &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/arkosg\/?page_id=197\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":366,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-197","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/arkosg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/arkosg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/arkosg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/arkosg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/366"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/arkosg\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=197"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/arkosg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3417,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/arkosg\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions\/3417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/arkosg\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}