ASTR 201 -- The Sun and Its Planets


Time and Location: TR 10:00 -- 11:15, Sears 354

Instructor: Professor Chris Mihos
  • Office: Sears 557
  • Office Hours: T/Th 3-4, or by appointment
  • E-mail: mihos@case.edu
  • Phone: 368-3729
Teaching Assistant: Real Ma
  • Office: Sears 553
  • Office Hours:
  • E-mail: realma@case.edu
Website: http://burro.case.edu/Academics/Astr201/

Textbook:
The Cosmic Perspective by Bennett etal Grading Details:
Graded work
Grading scale
Homework
40%
Six homework assignments
Quizzes
30%
Six quizzes; lowest grade is dropped.
Quiz Dates:
  • Feb 5
  • Feb 19
  • Mar 5
  • Mar 26
  • Apr 9
  • Apr 23
Final Exam
30%
May 6 (12:30-3:30pm)
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
55-69
F
<55

Notes on grading:


Tentative Schedule:

Week
Dates
Topic
Chapters
Due
1
Jan 13
Our Place in the Universe
1


Jan 15
Discovering the Universe I 2

2
Jan 20
Discovering the Universe II 2


Jan 22
Night Sky Interlude I: Winter --
HW 1
3
Jan 27
The Science of Astronomy I 3


Jan 29
The Science of Astronomy II 3

4
Feb 3
Motion, Energy, and Gravity I 4


Feb 5
Motion, Energy, and Gravity II 4
Quiz 1
5
Feb 10
Light
5


Feb 12
Telescopes 6
HW 2
6
Feb 17
Night Sky Interlude II: Spring --


Feb 19
Our Solar System
7
Quiz 2
7
Feb 24
The Formation of the Solar System 8


Feb 26
The Formation of the Solar System II 8
HW 3
8
Mar 3
Planetary Geology 9


Mar 5
Planetary Geology (Cont) 9
Quiz 3
9
Mar 10
No class -- Spring Break



Mar 12
No class -- Spring Break

10
Mar 17
The Terrestrial Planets I 9


Mar 19
The Terrestrial Planets II
Planetary Atmospheres
10
HW 4
11
Mar 24
Planetary Atmospheres II 10


Mar 26
Night Sky Interlude III: Summer
--
Quiz 4
12
Mar 31
Jovian Worlds I 11


Apr 2
Jovian Worlds II 11
HW 5
13
Apr 7
The Galilean Satellites
Other Moons and Rings
11


Apr 9
Asteroids and Earth Impacts 12
Quiz 5
14
Apr 14
Comets and Dwarf Planets 12

Apr 16
Extrasolar Planets 13
HW 6
15
Apr 21
Night Sky Interlude IV: Autumn
--


Apr 23
Summary and Review 1-13 Quiz 6

Homework Assignments:

HW
Due date
Assignment
Solutions
1
Jan 22


2
Feb 12


3
Feb 26


4
Mar 19


5
Apr 2


6
Apr 16