AstronomyTeacher

Here are the topics which will be on your final exam.

Final Exam is OPEN NOTES, CLOSED BOOK, CALCULATORS ENCOURAGED.

Experimental Design
independent, dependent, interfering variables
double-blind design
standard graph setup

Nature of Science
fact, theory, law, hypothesis
how to write a lab report

The Sun
Sun's motion through the sky (daily, annually)
The seasons
The analemma
Noon
Sundials
What is the Sun
nuclear fusion
Einstein's equation
Structure of the sun
Age of the sun

The Moon
Surface features of the moon
Evolution of the moon
lunar phases
eclipses of the sun and moon
gravity and tides
the Apollo missions
Analysis of lunar photos: crater sequence, height of mountains, etc.

The Planets
Models of the solar system
Critical observations to help us understand how we know the sun is in the center
retrograde motion
inferior/superior
phases of venus
Kepler's Laws
Computing planetary transfer orbits
Planet classifications, especially gas giant/terrestrial
Rough scale of the solar system
Surface gravity of the planets


APODs
Kinds of objects in the sky and their general appearance
Supernova remnants
Planetary Nebulae
Emission Nebulae
Reflection Nebulae
Dark Nebulae
Galaxies