Introductory Astronomy 390-FG1-3WDA
Study profile: general academic
Form of study: full-time
Type of subject: compulsory
Field and discipline of science: Field of science and natural sciences, Discipline of physics
Level of education: first-cycle studies
Year of study/semester: 3rd year/5th semester
ECTS credits: 2
Prerequisites:
Student workload:
- participation in lectures (15 hours),
- participation in laboratories (15 hours),
- participation in consultations (15 hours),
- student's own work at home (10 hours),
Reminder: students are offered the opportunity to participate in optional consultations.
Quantitative indicators:
- student workload related to classes requiring direct teacher participation - 1.8 ECTS;
- student workload related to independent work - 0.2 ECTS.
Rules for the use of artificial intelligence (AI):
During classes, the use of AI systems is permitted in the following areas:
1. Machine translation of source texts from foreign languages.
2. Searching for and organizing scientific sources.
3. Creating simulations and modeling of physical phenomena discussed in the lecture.
In the event of violations of the above rules, the student may be held accountable under separate disciplinary regulations.
The lecture covers the following topics:
1. astronomical instruments;
2. Earth and Moon;
3. the two-body problem and Kepler's laws;
4. Sun and Solar System;
5. exoplanets;
6. stars;
7. elements of general relativity and gravitational wave astronomy;
8. galaxies;
9. Hubble-Lemaître's law
Laboratory -- workshop and lecture classes. The topics covered in the classes include the following issues:
1. the rotation of the celestial sphere as a consequence of the Earth's rotation;
2. the motion of the Sun relative to the stars, seasonal changes in the position of stars relative to the horizon and the seasons as a consequence of the Earth's motion around the Sun;
3. eclipses of the Sun and Moon;
4. astronomical coordinates; parallactic triangle;
5. Kepler's laws;
6. the Sun, proper motion of stars,
8. the Sun in the Milky Way,
9. escape of galaxies.
10. sky observations [additional activities, carried out in the evening in winter, weather permitting and if the group wants to come]: observations (visual, using binoculars and a telescope) of the most interesting astronomical objects, e.g., selected planets, double star systems, the Orion Nebula, globular clusters, open clusters.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
The graduate knows and understands:
1. at an advanced level, concepts, principles, and theories specific to physics and astronomy within the scope of the curriculum (KP6_WG1),
2. how to explain descriptions of regularities, astronomical phenomena, and physical processes using mathematical language, in particular, how to independently reproduce basic theorems and laws (KP6_WG3),
Graduates are able to:
3. analyze problems in the field of physical sciences and astronomy and find solutions based on known theorems and methods (KP6_UW1),
4. perform quantitative analyses and formulate qualitative conclusions on this basis (KP6_UW2),
Graduates are ready to:
5. critically evaluate their knowledge and the content they receive (KP6_KK1),
6. familiarize themselves with scientific and popular science literature in order to deepen and broaden their knowledge, taking into account the risks of obtaining information from unverified sources, including the Internet (KP6_KO2).
Assessment criteria
After completing the course, students take a) a written and practical test to pass the laboratory (solving arithmetic problems) and b) a lecture test (with open and closed questions). A score of at least 51% is required to pass.
Test scoring:
0-50% correct answers - 2.0
51-60% - 3.0
61-70% - 3.5
71-80% - 4.0
81-90% - 4.5
91-100% - 5.0
The final grade for the lecture depends on the grade obtained from the exam (with a weight of 0.9) and attendance at lectures (with a weight of 0.1).
Bibliography
Basic literature
1. Lecture notes in the form of PDF files (available for download at http://alpha.uwb.edu.pl/pio/dydaktyka.html for lectures given by Prof. Jaranowski or sent by email for lectures given by Dr. Nikołajuk),
2. H. Karttunen, P. Kroger, H. Oja, M. Poutanen, K.J. Donner, General Astronomy, PWN, Warsaw, 2020,
3. J.M.Kreiner, Astronomy with Astrophysics, PWN, Warsaw 1988 (1st edition), 1992 (2nd edition).
Additional literature
1. J.M.Kreiner, Earth and the Universe. Astronomy not only for geographers, Pedagogical University Press, Krakow 2009.
2. Astronomy, OpenStax, Rice University 2018 (textbook in English, available for free download at https://openstax.org).
3. A. Branicki, With My Own Eyes. On Independent Observations of the Sky and Earth, PWN Scientific Publishers, Warsaw 2014.
4. A. Branicki, Astronomical Observations and Measurements for Students, Pupils, and Astronomy Enthusiasts, Warsaw University Press, Warsaw 2006.
5. Sky atlases, e.g., Sky Atlas 2000.0, PPWK, Warsaw 1991.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: