Scribd
Upload
56 views

Introduction To Astronomy: References

This document provides an introduction to astronomy, discussing the solar system and its constituents. It defines astronomy as the scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena that originates outside Earth's atmosphere. It then defines the solar system as consisting of the Sun and objects bound to it by gravity, including eight planets, moons, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, and other small bodies. The document outlines different areas of astronomy and provides references for further reading.

Uploaded by

Intan Syazuliah
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
56 views

Introduction To Astronomy: References

This document provides an introduction to astronomy, discussing the solar system and its constituents. It defines astronomy as the scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena that originates outside Earth's atmosphere. It then defines the solar system as consisting of the Sun and objects bound to it by gravity, including eight planets, moons, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, and other small bodies. The document outlines different areas of astronomy and provides references for further reading.

Uploaded by

Intan Syazuliah
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY

Introduction
• This course discusses solar system and its constituents such as Sun, Earth,
Moon and planets. It also discusses microgravity, space exploration and
water rockets.
•
• (Kursus ini membincangkan sistem suria dan kandungannya seperti
Matahari, Bumi , Bulan dan planet-planet. Ia juga membincangkan
mikrograviti, penjelajahan angkasa dan roket air).

REFERENCES
• Fix , J. D. (2004). Astronomy: Journey to the cosmic Frontier. New York: Mc Graw-Hill
• Simon, S. (2007). Our Solar System. New York: William Morrow and Company Inc.
• Stine, H. & Stine, B. (2004). Handbook of Model Rocketry, (7th ed.). New York: John
Wiley & Son.
• Thomas, T.A. ( 2007). Exploration: Introduction to Astronomy. New York: Mc. Graw-Hill.
• Boest, W. J. (2003). John Kepler . Discovering the Laws of Celestial Motion. North
Carolina: Morgan Reynolds Publishing, Inc.
8

• METHODS OF TEACHING

• Lectures and Field work / activities

• COURSE EVALUATION / ESSESSMENT.


•
• Course work 100%
• Final Exam 0%
LECTURE 1.

• 1. Solar System and Its Constituent.

• LEARNING OUTCOMES.

a) Understand what is astronomy


b) Explain the solar system and its constituents
c) Understand the astronomical unit
d) Construct a model of solar system.
1.1 Introduction.
What is Astronomy?
( b ) Astrometry : a measure of distances in space. 
( c ) Planet logy :study both the planets within our Solar System as
well as those orbiting distant stars.
( d ) Radio Astronomers study the universe using radio antenna
telescopes ( radio telescope ).
(e) Cosmology: study the Universe as a whole, including its
beginnings.

1.2 Definition of Solar System.


Our solar system is placed at the edge of Milky way Galaxy.
The Solar System consists of a big star called the Sun and those
celestial objects bound to it by gravity. These objects are the eight
planets (excluding Pluto), their 166 known moons, five dwarf planets,
and billions of small bodies. The small bodies include asteroids, icy
Kuiper belt objects, comets, meteoroids, and interplanetary dust
including solar wind.
The Solar System: Sun and the 8 Planets; Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
• Definition of A Planet.
• The International Astronomical Union (IAU) members gathered at
the 2006 General Assembly agreed that a ‘planet’ is defined as a
celestial body that,
• (a) is in orbit around the Sun;
(b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body
forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round)
shape; and
(c) has cleared the neighborhoods around its orbit

The new definition of a solar system is that our Solar System


consists of eight ‘planets’ only excluding Pluto. Four planets
(Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) are called rocky or terrestrial
planets. They have solid surfaces with metal cores. They have rocks
and dust on their surfaces. The next four planets (Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus, and Neptune) are called the gas giants. These planets are
much larger than the first four planets.
12

They do not have solid surface . They are giant balls of gas with small
solid cores. Their atmosphere s are made up of mostly hydrogen
and helium gases.

Pluto and Ceres are categorized as ‘dwarf planets’. Pluto is made of


rock and ice. Pluto is more like a comet not a planet. There are
thousands of objects orbiting at about the same distance as
Pluto. This area is called Kuiper Belt. These objects are larger
than asteroids and comets but smaller than real planets.
22

You might also like