Astronomy 111, Session 003
Review Topics on Exam 1, which takes place on Oct. 2, 2006
Note 1: In each chapter, all sections are covered, unless explicitly excluded
Note 2: In each chapter, all boxes are excluded, unless explicitly listed
· Chap. 1 --- Astronomy and the Universe (8 sections, covered all except section 1-8)
o Scientific methods, hypothesis, model, theory and laws of physics
o Learn the formation of solar system
o Learn the evolution of stars
o Learn the origin and fate of universe
o Angular measure, angular diameter, angular size, angular distance
o Powers-of-ten notation
o Units of astronomical distances, AU, light year, parsec
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Chap. 2 ---
Known the Heavens (8 sections, covered all except section 2-6; covered
o Ancient civilization, positional astronomy
o 88 constellations
o Diurnal motion of stars, Earth rotation, Annual motion of stars, Earth orbital motion, Polaris
o Celestial sphere, celestial equator, celestial poles, celestial coordinates, right ascension, declination, zenith
o Seasons, tilt of Earth’s axis of rotation, ecliptic plane, two reasons of why summer is hotter (or winter is colder), equinoxes (vernal and autumn), solstices (summer and winter), Sun’s daily path
o Timekeeping, meridian, noon, apparent solar day, mean sun, mean solar day, time zone, universal time, sidereal time, sidereal day
o Calendar and Leap year, Caesar’s calendar, Gregory calendar
· Chap. 3 --- Eclipses and the Motion of the Moon (6 sections, covered all except section 3-6)
o Phases of the Moon, new, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent, and new; causes of the phases
o Synchronous rotation of Moon; synodic month, sidereal month
o Solar and lunar eclipses; causes and configurations; the tilt of the plane of the Moon’s orbit, line of nodes
o Lunar eclipses; umbra, penumbra; total lunar eclipse, partial lunar eclipse; totality
o Solar eclipses; total, partial and annular solar eclipses; eclipse path; totality
· Chap. 4 --- Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets (8 sections, all covered)
o Ancient geocentric models; direct motion, retrograde motion of planets; Ptolemaic systems: cycles on cycles; deferent, epicycle
o Heliocentric model of Copernicus; explanation of retrograde motion; planetary configuration; Inferior planets, elongation, evening stars, morning stars; superior planets, conjunction, opposition; synodic period, sidereal period of planets
o Tycho Brahe’s observations
o Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion; first law of shape of orbit; second law of orbital speed, perihelion, aphelion; third law of orbital period and size
o Galileo’s usage of telescope; phases of Venus; why support heliocentric model; Galileo’s discoveries
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o Tidal force; high tide, low tide; spring tide, neap tide