Astronomy 100 Course Introduction and Cosmic Fundamentals

Course Logistics and ExpectationsPage 1

Students must sign in and register for the class. Weekly expectations for a 3-unit course involve approximately 10 hours of study. Students are responsible for checking their Hancock email and completing chapter quizzes on Canvas. Late work is generally permitted until the end of a grace period, except for the final assignments. College-level writing skills are required for all coursework.

Understanding the UniversePage 2

The universe is composed of various celestial objects including stars, planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. Objects are organized into solar systems, nebulae, galaxies, and finally, the universe itself. Key definitions include the Astronomical Unit (AU), the distance from Earth to the Sun, and the light-year, which measures distance based on the speed of light.

Cosmic Scales and TimePage 3

Looking at distant objects allows us to view the past because light takes time to travel. On a 1-to-10-billion scale, the Sun is the size of a grapefruit and Earth is a ball point 15 meters away, while stars are thousands of kilometers apart. The observable universe contains over 100 billion galaxies, with a total number of stars comparable to the number of grains of sand on all of Earth's beaches.

Upcoming AssessmentsPage 4

Test #1 is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, covering Chapters 1, 2, and 3. Students should complete all related homework via Canvas.