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PHYSICS 320, ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS I
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Announcements:
Here is a copy for printing of the
course outline 
(335 kBytes)
Wenda Cao, Office: 101 Tiernan
Phone: 973-596-5301, Email: cao@njit.edu
Web Page: http://web.njit.edu/~cao/320.htm
Office hours: Monday, Thursday: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
This course provides a quantitative introduction to the astronomy of the Sun, Earth and the solar system, with an emphasis on the physical principles involved. Students will study the motion, structure, atmosphere, energy, and magnetism of the Sun, planets, and satellites. The major themes include: the role of gravity in shaping the solar system, the energy balance of the planets, magnetism, and physics of light and colors. Importantly, students will learn to reason out of observational facts using basic physics knowledge. In this course, students will learn basic astronomical methods from lectures, and also be updated with new discoveries and emerging scientific topics with societal impact.
Lecture Notes
Lecture01: Introduction to the Solar System
Lecture02: Astronomical Distance
Lecture06: Optics and Telescope I
Lecture07: Optics and Telescopes II
Lecture08: Physical Processes in the Solar System
Lecture10: The Moon and Eclipses
Lecture11: Terrestrial Planets - Mercury and Venus
Lecture12: Terrestrial Planets - Mars
Lecture13: Jovian Planets - Jupiter and Saturn
Lecture14: Solar System Debris
Lecture15: Standard Solar/Stellar Model
Lecture18: Solar Magnetism and Solar Cycle
The reading assignments are listed below. For this course, we will be covering Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23. Complete the readings before the corresponding lectures.
The homework assignments will be collected on each Monday.
Students will conduct a group project to research ＾Life in the solar system and beyond￣. The final presentation will be given in November.
The reading assignments are listed below. For this course, we will be covering Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23. Complete the readings before the corresponding lectures.
A final letter grade could be assigned as follows, but could be adjusted depending on the class average:
In-class Exams (15% each, 30% total): Two in-class exams will be given during the semester. The schedule is:
In-class Exam 1 : Thursday, October 1st, 1:00 - 2:25 PM
In-class Exam 2 : Monday, November 2nd, 1:00 - 2:25 PM
Final Exam (30%): A comprehensive examination of the entire semester's work will be given during Finals Week at the end of the semester.
Project and attendance (20%):
Homework (20%): Homework assignments will be posted on-line every Monday and will be collected on the following Monday.
The final grades will be based on a composite score that includes each in-class exam score, the final exam, the term's homework score, the project and attendance. Here are the approximate weights to be used for calculating the composite score:
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30% for two in-class exams (15% each) |
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30% for the final exam |
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20% for the total homework grade |
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20% for the project and attendance |
Here are the approximate weights to be used for calculating the final grade and the final grade scale:
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85% and more |
A |
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80% - 84% |
B+ |
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70% - 79% |
B |
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65% - 69% |
C+ |
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55% - 64% |
C |
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50% and less |
D / F |
NJIT policy is zero-tolerance for cheating of any kind and for student behavior that disrupts learning by others. Incidents will be immediately reported to the Dean of Students. The penalties for violations range from a minimum of failure in the course plus disciplinary probation up to expulsion from NJIT with notations on a students' permanent record. Avoid situations where your own honorable behavior could be misinterpreted. Students will be required to agree to the NJIT Honor Code on each exam.
Attendance at lectures, recitation classes, and exams is mandatory. Instructors will take attendance regularly. A total of 3 unexcused absences from lecture, recitation, and workshop in any combination is regarded as excessive: the Dean of First Year Students may be notified and a student may be dropped from the course. Students with several excusable absences should contact the Dean of First Year Students. If you withdraw from the course, do it officially through the Registrar; do not simply stop attending and taking exams. Students who withdraw unofficially force the instructor to assign a course grade of "F".
Please do not eat, drink, or create noise that interferes with the work of students or instructors. Cellular phones, wireless devices, notebook computers, and messaging devices of all kinds must be turned off during class meetings and exams.
Syllabus
Any changes to the syllabus will be consulted with students.
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Lecture Topic |
Reading Assignment |
Homework Assignment |
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Lecture01: (09/03 R) Introduction to the Solar System |
Reading Material 1 Chap. 1 |
None |
| Lecture02: (09/08 M) Astronomical Distance |
Chap. 1 |
hw1 Due on 09/14 |
| Lecture03: (09/10 R) Nature of Light I |
Chap. 3 |
hw2 Due on 09/21 |
| Lecture04: (09/14 M) Nature of Light II |
Chap. 3 |
hw3 Due on 09/24 |
| Lecture05: (09/17 R) Kepler's Laws |
Chap. 2 |
hw4 Due on 09/28 |
| Lecture06: (09/21 M) Optics and Telescope I |
Chap. 6 |
hw5 Due on 09/28 |
| Lecture07: (09/24 R) Optics and Telescope II |
Chap. 6 |
hw6 Due on 10/01 |
| Lecture08: (10/05 M) Solar System |
Chap. 18 |
hw7 Due on 10/12 |
| Lecture09: (10/08 R) Our Living Earth |
Chap. 19 |
hw8 Due on 10/15 |
| Lecture10: (10/12 R) The Moon and Eclipses |
Chap. 19 |
hw9 Due on 10/22 |
| Lecture11: (10/15 M) Mercury and Venus |
Chap. 19 |
hw10 Due on 10/22 |
| Lecture14-15: (11/16 M) Solar Model |
Chap. 11 |
hw11 Due on 11/19 |
| Lecture16-17: (11/23 M) Solar Activities |
Chap. 21 |
hw12 Due on 11/23 |