Astronomy 2 Online Single Semester
| Building upon the prior prerequisite course, dive deeper into the universe and develop a lifelong passion for space exploration and investigation. Become familiar with the inner and outer planets of the solar system as well as the sun, comets, asteroids, and meteors. Additional topics include space travel and settlements as well as the formation of planets. When enrolling in the full year option of this course, it will be delivered in two semesters. Transcripts will reflect each semester separately. |
| Unit 1: Space Explorers • Discover how ancient Chinese and Egyptian cultures integrated astronomy into their everyday lives. • Understand how ancient Europeans and Native Americans built their civilizations around the movement of celestial objects. • Trace the history of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. • Discuss how and why noteworthy American space missions made history. Unit 2: Inner Planets • Describe how planetary matter is distributed within the solar system. • Explain the formation of the solar system. • Differentiate and describe the inner planets within our solar system. • Identify the shared characteristics among all inner planets in the solar system. • Explain the features of Earth that are essential to the development of life. Unit 3: Outer Planets: Jupiter and Saturn • Identify the shared features and characteristics among the outer planets in the solar system. • Differentiate and describe the unique characteristics of Jupiter and Saturn. • Understand how weight and mass measurements differ from Earth to Jupiter and Saturn. • Compare and contrast the outer planets with Earth. Unit 4: Outer Planets: Uranus, Neptune, and the Dwarf Planets • Describe the characteristics of Uranus, Neptune, and the dwarf planets • Understand how Uranus, Neptune, and the dwarf planets got their names • Discuss how weight, mass, and gravity differ on Uranus, Neptune, and the dwarf planets • Explain why Pluto is no longer classified as a true planet of the solar system Astronomy 2 Midterm Exam Unit 5: The Sun • Identify the five regions of the Sun. • Discuss the structure and composition of the Sun. • Learn about nuclear fusion in the Sun, including the proton-proton chain reaction. • Examine solar activity, such as sunspots and solar flares. • Define and discuss solar eclipses. Unit 6: Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors • Define comet, asteroid, meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite. • Examine the origin of comets and how their tails form. • Discuss the location of asteroids in the solar system. • Learn about the different types of meteorites. • Investigate how comets, asteroids, and meteorites influence life on Earth. Unit 7: Living and Working in Space • Explore space programs in countries around the world. • Discover the International Space Station. • Understand how spacesuits protect astronauts in the harsh outer space environment. • Consider the daily realities of living and working in space. • Examine the “New Space Race.” Unit 8: The Future of Space Travel • Describe future plans for space travel and tourism from SpaceX and NASA • Summarize locations in space that are most likely to harbor life • Explore how computer technology supports space missions • Analyze the role NASA plays in combating climate change Astronomy 2 Final Exam |