ASTRONOMY 270, GENERAL ASTRONOMY

                              Fall 2003

                  Instructor:  Prof. Patricia Henning


Course Philosophy:  

The sulfuric acid clouds of Venus...towering volcanoes of Mars...frozen water on
the Jovian moon Europa...spectacular rings of Saturn...planets around other 
suns...  Studying astronomy takes you to some amazing places.  Astronomy 270 
(and 271) is designed for people who want to learn about the heavens in more 
depth than is possible in Astro 101.  In the fall semester, we will concentrate
on the Solar System. Just as important as learning about the objects with which
we share our Universe, we will be investigating HOW we know what we know.  
Astronomy is a unique science, in that we can't run experiments on astronomical
objects (with the exception of the few planetary bodies we, or our probes, have
visited).  Instead, we have to be clever and use the information we gather with
our telescopes on the ground and in space, some basic physics (Phys 151 or 
higher for this class), and our brains!


Office Hours:

After class, room 109, Regener Hall (phone 7-5911).  Other times by appointment.
By far, the best method for contacting me outside of class is email 
(henning@as.unm.edu).  The second choice is by phone to my office (room 31; 
7-3166) in the Physics and Astronomy building, which is located on the northeast
corner of Lomas and Yale.


Required Text:  

Universe (6th ed.) by Roger A. Freedman, and William J. Kaufmann, III.


The Lab (A270L):

There is a night laboratory which accompanies this class, where you learn about
the night sky, and get your hands on real telescopes.  It meets at the Campus 
Observatory, and is open to everybody in the class.  You certainly may take 
this lecture course without the lab, but if you are an Astrophysics major, the 
lab is required.


GROUND RULES:

The lectures will be designed on the assumption that you've read the supporting
material in the text beforehand.  I'll let you know what to read as we go along.

Your progress will be assessed through two exams (each 25% of the grade), 
homework (20%), and the final exam (30%).  The final will be Thursday, 
18 December, 10:00 - 12:00.  I will announce the dates of the two exams in 
class.  You may work together on the homework with other classmates - just be 
sure to write the names of your collaborators on your homework before you hand 
it in.  I encourage you to form study- and work-groups --  it's a great way to 
learn.  However, each person must hand in his/her own homework to get credit.

If, for some very valid reason, you need to miss an exam, the make-up will be 
an oral exam.  No make-ups will be given unless arranged BEFORE THE EXAM.  No 
exceptions.