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
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Course Fees: $10.00
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
None

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.

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

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture/mediated instruction: 50-75%

Lab activities: 25-50%
Mandatory Course Components:
Must have final exam.
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:

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
Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 6
People Soft Course ID Number: 104082
Course CIP Code: 40.0203
Maximum Course Enrollment: 24
General Room Request: 440 Calkins Science Building

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

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

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