AS 106 - The Solar System and Extra-Solar Planets

Description
This course is an introduction to the solar system and comparative planetology. It covers the apparent motion of the sky (Sun, moon, planets), the seasons, lunar phases, eclipses, Newton’s laws of motion and gravity, tides, telescopes, the planets and moons of our solar system, solar system debris, the theories of the formation of the solar system, the discovery and observation of extra-solar planets, and the possibility of life on other worlds.

Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours: 6

School: School of STEM
Department: Physical Sciences
Discipline: AS

Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20220216T11:37:49
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027

Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture/Lab - Must meet Lecture & Lab Ratios

General Education Requirement: Natural Sciences
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge, 7. Problem-Solving: Apply theory, calculation, or experimentation to demonstrate effective problem-solving

Course Learning Outcomes:

Summarize how our understanding of astronomy has developed throughout history.
Identify how astronomers use constellations and coordinate systems to create a map of the sky. (GELO3)
Estimate the relative sizes of celestial objects and the distances between them. (GELO7)
Distinguish the daily, annual and precessional motions of the Earth.
Explain the causes of moon phases as well a solar and lunar eclipses.
Use observations from astronomical instruments to support scientific theories. (GELO3, GELO7)
Describe the physical properties of the Sun and its interactions with the planets and other solar system objects.
Compare and contrast the planets within our solar system using comparative planetology. (GELO7)
Compare and contrast the properties of objects in our solar system with those in other planetary/star systems.

Approved for Online Delivery?: No

Course Outline:
I. The Sky

A. Size and Distance

B. Coordinate Systems

C. Motion of the Sky

D. Motion of the Sun

E. Seasons

F. Motion of the Moon

G. Lunar Phases

H. Eclipses

II. Gravity and Telescopes

A. Newton’s Laws, Gravity

B. Light as a Wave and a Particle

C. Ground-Based Telescopes

D. Space-Based Telescopes

III. The Earth and Moon

A. The Geologic History of the Earth

B. The Geologic History of the Moon (Theories of Formation)

C. Theories of Formation

IV. The Terrestrial Planets

A. Mercury

B. Venus

C. Mars and its Moons

V. The Outer Planets

A. Jupiter, its rings and Moons

B. Saturn, its rings and Moons

C. Uranus, its rings and Moons

D. Neptune, its rings and Moons

VI. Solar System Debris

A. Dwarf Planets

B. Asteroids

C. Comets

D. Meteors and Meteorites

VII. Extra-Solar Planets

A. Discovery

B. Current Observation

C. The Search for Life in the Universe

Mandatory CLO Competency Assessment Measures:

Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Instructional Strategies:
Lecture/mediated instruction: 50-75%

Lab activities: 25-50%

Mandatory Course Components:
Must have final exam.

Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corerequisite(s): None
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with IRW: IRW 99
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required

Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 6
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details: The instructor must have a Master’s Degree or PhD in astronomy, astronomy education, space sciences (or physics, with a minimum of 8 semester hours of upper division astronomy credit).

General Room Request: 440 Calkins Science Building

Maximum Course Enrollment: 24
Equivalent Courses: None
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Courses is a Requirement:
None
Course Fees: $10.00
People Soft Course ID Number: 104082
Course CIP Code: 40.0203

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Departments?: NA
Corporate Articulation Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Companies?: NA