Astronomy Lecture 1 Learning Objectives

What is a planet? A moon? A galaxy? The universe?

-Planet-- today, any of the larger objects revolving about the Sun or any similar objects that orbit other stars; in ancient times, any object that moved regularly among the fixed stars -Moon-- an object that orbits a planet -Galaxy-- a massive system of stars (and other stuff) that exists inside the universe -The Universe-- everything; the entirety of space and time

Which of the following is a valid scientific hypothesis? A. Parts of the universe will never be discovered. B. Stars generate energy by burning coal. C. There are processes in nature that we will never understand.

B. Stars generate energy by burning coal.

Which of the following is a distance? A. 500 light-years B. 500 years

A. 500 light-years

The Theory of Evolution cannot be correct because it is just a theory. A. True B. False

B. False

Which of the following is a time? A. 500 light-years B. 8.3 light-minutes C. 4 hours D. 2.5 light-hours

C. 4 hours

Which of the following ranks the sizes of the listed objects in the correct order, from smallest to largest? A. Asteroid, Galaxy, Solar System, Universe B. Solar System, Galaxy, Asteroid, Universe C. Asteroid, Solar System, Galaxy, Universe D. Universe, Galaxy, Asteroid, Solar System

C. Asteroid, Solar System, Galaxy, Universe

Which of the following represents a scientific way of looking at nature? A. All ideas are equally valuable and should be equally respected. B. Well-established ideas should never be checked or tested. C. Nature informs us about the usefulness of our ideas.

C. Nature informs us about the usefulness of our ideas.

Know what a light-year is. What is it, how is it defined? How is it used?

Defined as the distance light can travel in a year, OR 9.5 million million kilometers

Be able to describe the scientific method.

It is a systematic way of testing new ideas. Start with an observation or idea --> suggest a hypothesis --> make a prediction --> perform a test, experiment, or additional observation --> test supports hypothesis; make additional predictions and test them OR test falsifies hypothesis; revise hypothesis or choose a new one

Know the translation and definition of Astronomy.

Loosely translated-- "finding patterns amongst the stars" Modern definition-- the study of the universe