ASTRONOMY (AST)




AST 1001. Introductory Astronomy I - The Solar
System/(4).F.


Topics to be covered include constellations,
telescopes, the sun and moon, planets, asteroids,
comets, the origin of the solar system and the
search for extra-terrestrial life. The laboratory
includes visual observations and electronic
imaging of astronomical objects as well as a field
trip to Appalachian's Dark Sky Observatory.
Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours.
(NUMERICAL DATA) (CORE: NATURAL SCIENCES)
(ND Prerequisite: Passing the math placement test
or successful completion of MAT 0010.)




AST 1002. Introductory Astronomy II - Stars and
Galaxies/(4).S.


A study of astronomical objects located beyond our
solar system. Topics to be covered include the
structure and evolution of the stars, pulsars,
black holes, gaseous nebulae, star clusters,
galaxies, quasars and the structure of evolution
of the Universe. Night observations of these types
of objects will be made. Lecture three hours,
laboratory two hours. Prerequisite: AST 1001.
(NUMERICAL DATA) (CORE: NATURAL SCIENCES)
(ND Prerequisite: Passing the math placement test
or successful completion of MAT 0010.)




AST 1530-1531. Selected Topics/(1-4).On Demand.




AST 2001. Observational Astronomy I/(3).F.


This course introduces the student to the
operation of astronomical instruments and to the
acquisition and analysis of astronomical data.
Lecture topics include coordinate systems and
time, star catalogs and atlases, planning
observational programs, basic telescope optics,
photometry, and photography. Lab work, conducted
at the campus observatory, will consist of
individual small projects carried out to
familiarize the student with many types of
instruments and techniques. Lecture two hours,
laboratory two hours. Prerequisite: AST 1002.




AST 2002. Observational Astronomy II/(3).S.


A study of advanced techniques of modern
observational astronomy. Lecture topics include
solid state (video) imaging hardware, image
processing techniques, and astronomical
spectroscopy. Observations will be conducted at
the campus observatory, emphasizing the use of the
techniques studied in the lecture. Lecture two
hours, laboratory two hours. Prerequisite: AST
2001.




AST 3100.* Astrophysics/(3).S.


A study of the astrophysical processes which occur
in stars, nebulae and the interstellar medium.
Topics to be covered include energy generation and
transfer in stars, spectral line formation and
stellar structure and evolution. Prerequisites:
AST 1002, PHY 1151, MAT 1120.
*Offered in even-numbered years.




AST 3200.** Astromechanics/(3).S.


An introduction to classical and modern techniques
in the study of orbiting celestial bodies. Lecture
topics will include the solution of the 2-body
problem with applications to comet orbits, the
restricted 3-body problem, and solutions to the
n-body problem. Laboratory sessions will deal
primarily with computer simulations of orbits and
solutions of orbits from limited data.
Prerequisites: PHY 1103 or 1150; MAT 1120;
experience in programming in either BASIC or
FORTRAN. Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours.
(COMPUTER)
**Offered in odd-numbered years.




AST 3560. Undergraduate Research/(1-3).On Demand.


The student will participate in on-going
faculty-directed research projects. This will
include involvement in the solution of a
theoretical problem, or in the design of an
experiment, acquisition of the data, reduction and
analysis. The work may also include presentation
of the results in scholarly publications or at
professional meetings. May be repeated for a total
credit of up to four semester hours.