Spring 2004
    Astronomy & Cosmologies
    updated 29 May 2004
    Syllabus
    Schedule
    Web-X
    Research
    Seminar
    Links
    AC Home
    FAQs
    portfolio & eval guidelines
    Covenant
    Observing at Evergreen
    Universe online
    program descriptions
    Working the Waters
    Celestial Navigation
    Physics of Astronomy
    		 eval worksheet + schedule
     
    Welcome to the Astronomy & Cosmologies 2004 homepage. A&C is a one-quarter, full-time, partly web-based program at The Evergreen State College with Dr. E.J. Zita. Everyone is welcome to join this spring program. Alternate option: join just our seminar discussions for 4-8 credits.

    The first class meets at 5:00 Monday 29 March 2004 in Lib 4004

    Astronomy and Cosmologies includes Science Seminar and Celestial Navigation this quarter, for a total of 16 credits. See Schedule for details.

  • In the Astronomy classes, our primary text is Universe. We will use the Audubon Guide for observing each clear Tuesday night. See below for information on where to find our texts.

  • In Science Seminar, we will read about Cosomologies on Monday and Astronomy on Thursday, joined by students from Physics of Astronomy (PA).
  • In Celestial Navigation workshops, we may be joined by some students from Working the Waters.

  • Astronomy & Cosmologies students also have the option to join Working the Waters for Piloting workshops, for an additional 2 cr. This is not required. Interested students can sign up for Piloting on the first day of class in Astro&Cosmo.

    Zita is also teaching Physics of Astronomy, a separate, continuing, intermediate program.

    		•
    Program Description
    Astronomy WebX
    Seminar WebX
    Universe online
    Student research projects 
    Weekly Quizzes
    Celestial Navigation
    previous years' Astro + Cosmo
    Lectures and Help
     
    REQUIRED TEXTS:

    * Universe, Edition 6, by William Kaufmann III and Roger Freedman  (Order online well in advance. You will need all your texts on the first day of class)

    Get the texts below either online (e.g. Amazon or Powell's) or from Orca, an independent bookstore in downtown Olympia. Do not count on the college bookstore to have our texts. If they do, they will be marked up, while Orca gives a 10% discount for Evergreen texts. You can special-order from Orca as well - ask for Harreld.

    * National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Night Sky (2000, Alfred A. Knopf, NY, ISBN 0-679-40852-5  pbk). This excellent reference text helps you find and understand objects in the sky, and includes classic stories about them.

    * The Extravagant Universe, by Robert Kirschner. This is the best new book available describing the accelerating expansion of the universe, and much more.
    * Norton Anthology of Astronomy and Cosmology, by John North, Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company; (January 1995)
    ISBN: 0393036561. A collection of beliefs from many different cultures throughout history.
    * Emergency Navigation, by David Burch, Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; (February 1, 1990)
    ISBN: 0071565582
     
    REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:
    Most of these will be available in the College bookstore, except the binoculars and flashlights.
     
    Planisphere, a flat plastic disc starfinder Binoculars (10 x 50), with a  tripod mount and tripod Observing notebook with  unlined pages
    Protractor, a flat plastic semicircular tool for measuring angles Flashlight with the lens painted or taped red.  3-ring binder for your portfolio
    Clear plastic ruler (ruled in centimeters) Calculator is optional. Scientific notation and trig functions are important. Fancy graphing calculator is overkill. Workshop kits, available in class.
    Maintained by: E.J. Zita