Important Equations and Terminology
Chapter 1: Charting the Heavens
| Universe | Celestial Equator | Latitude |
| Scientific Method | Ecliplse | Prime Meridian |
| Declination | Ecliptic | Parallax |
| Right Ascension | Longitude | Measuring Distances with Geometry |
Chapter 2: The Copernican Revolution
| Earth Centered Models | Galileo | Brahe |
| Sun Centered Models | Copernicus | Newton's Laws |
| Retrograde Motion | Ptolemaic Model | Astronomical Unit |
| Kepler's Laws | Aristarchus | Weight, Mass |
F = ma = mv2/r = force required to keep planet in orbit
Weight is a force, expressed in Newtons (kg m/s2)
Vescape = (2GM/r)1/2 G is universal gravitational constant = 6.7x10-11 Nm2/kg2, M is mass, r is radius
Chapter 3: Radiation - Information from The Cosmos
| Components of Visible Light | ||
| Thermal Radiation | ||
| Kelvin Temperature Scale | ||
| Doppler Effect |
Chapter 4: Spectroscopy
| Continuous Spectra | Spectroscopes | |
| Emission Spectra | Kirchoff's Laws | |
| Absorption Spectra | Photoelectric Effect | |
| Spectroscopy |
Chapter 5: Telescopes
| Reflecting Telescopes | Resolving Power | Infrared Astronomy |
| Refracting Telescopes | Radio Astronomy | Ultraviolet Astronomy |
| Spectroscopy | Interferometry | High Energy Astronomy |
| Light Gathering Power | Space Based Astronomy |
Chapter 6: The Solar System
| Comparative Planetology | Condensation Theory | Role of Heat |
| Terrestrial versus Jovian Planets | Gravitational Slingshots | |
| Interplanetary Debris | Angular Momentum | |
| Nebular Contraction | Hohmann Transfer Orbit |
Chapter 7: Earth
| Influence of Moon and Sun on Oceans | Origin or Earth's Atmosphere | |
| Models of Earth's Interior | Radioactive Dating | |
| Role of Earth's Atmoshere | ||
| Earth's Magnetosphere |
Chapter 8: Moon and Mercury
Chapter 9: Venus
Chapter 10: Mars
Chapter 11: Jupiter
Chapter 11: Saturn
Chapter 12: Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto
Chapter 17: Red Giants and White Dwarfs
Chapter 18: The Interstellar Medium
Chapter 19: Star Formation
Chapter 20: Stellar Evolution
Chapter 21: Stellar Explosions