Summer I (June) 2009
Dr. Johnny B. Holmes

Catalog description: The course introduces non-science students to astronomy. It includes naked-eye astronomy and a brief history of astronomy; the present-day tools of the astronomer; the solar system; the sun and stars; and finally the galaxy, the universe, and extraterrestrial life. Prerequisite MATH 105 or higher. Corequisite NSCI 111L. Offered in the Fall semester, the Fall I Evening term (Aug-Oct.) and during the first summer term (June).

Special Notes (This is for special announcements about the course while it is in progress.)

A link to website on the night sky this month
A link to the website of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
A link to the website of Space Telescope Science Institute
A link to the website of The Nucleus provided by the American Association of Physics Teachers
A link to the website of Understanding Science funded by the National Science Foundation

Syllabus for NSCI 111 word document or on-line syllabus

Lectures for this course with audio overlayed onto the powerpoint slides are available here.

• Study Guide for Part 1: Introduction and Early Development word document or on-line guide
• PowerPoint slide Part 1 Set 1 ppt document (48 slides)
• PowerPoint slide on the Star Chart ppt document (12 slides)
• PowerPoint slide Part 1 Set 2 ppt document (20 slides)
• Link to a set of pictures of northern constellations
• Links to sites on ancient astronomies: Center for Archaeoastronomy, Babylonian,Mayan, North American Indian Medicine Wheels, and Stonehenge.
• Link to a history of cosmology site
• Copy of a previous test for part 1 Test 1 (2007 version)
• Study Guide for Part 2: Light and Tools word document or on-line guide
• PowerPoint slide Part 2 Set 1 ppt document or on-line version (32 slides)
• PowerPoint slide Part 2 Set 2 ppt document or on-line version (60 slides)
• PowerPoint slide Part 2 Set 3 ppt document or on-line version (29 slides)
• PowerPoint slide Part 2 Set 4 ppt document or on-line version (38 slides)
• Link to basic telescope information
• Copy of a previous test for part 2 Test 2 (2007 version)
• Study Guide for Part 3: The Solar System word document or on-line guide
• PowerPoint slide Part 3 Set 1 ppt document (71 slides)
• PowerPoint slide Part 3 Set 2 ppt document (31 slides)
• Supplement on Motions of Earth and Moon word document or on-line version
• Link to NASA information: NASA views of planets
• Another link to NASA information: more NASA views of planets
• Another link to NASA information: comets and asteroids
• Link to an : animation for comets
• Link to the discovery of Eris, the second Plutoid.
• Copy of a previous test for part 3 Test 3 (2007 version)
• Study Guide for Part 4: The Sun and Stars word document or on-line guide
• PowerPoint slide Part 4 Set 1 ppt document (26 slides)
• PowerPoint slide Part 4 Set 2 ppt document (35 slides)
• PowerPoint slide Part 4 Set 3 ppt document (29 slides)
• Link to NASA information about the sun
• Link to NASA information about stars
• Link to NASA Marshal Space Flight Center information about the sun
• Copy of a previous test for part 4 Test 4 (2007 version)
• Study Guide for Part 5: The Galaxy and the Universe word document or on-line guide
• PowerPoint slide Part 5 Set 1 ppt document (24 slides)
• PowerPoint slide Part 5 Set 2 ppt document (71 slides)
• Links to NASA information: NASA views of galaxies
• Links to pictures of Messier objects (click on name to get the picture)
• Link to information on the age of the universe
• Copy of a previous test for part 5 Test 5 (2007 version)

Copy of a previous final exam Final Exam (2007 version)

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