Astronomy 2000: Ancient Astronomies of the World - Syllabus

ASTR 2000: ANCIENT ASTRONOMIES

Tuesday 2:00PM - 3:15PM in BESC 180; Thursday 2:00PM - 3:15PM in Fiske Planetarium

John Stocke, Professor. OFFICE: Duane Physics C328 B: 303.492.1521 EMAIL: John.Stocke@colorado.edu
Elizabeth Butler, Teaching Assistant. OFFICE: Duane Physics D232: 303.492.7902 EMAIL: Elizabeth.Butler-2@colorado.edu
Rachel Virbickis, Learning Assistant. OFFICE: Duane Physics D250 EMAIL:Rachel.Virbickis@colorado.edu

Download a text version of this Syllabus HERE
Download more info about this class HERE
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I LOVE TO LOOK AT THE SKY AND SO DID MY ANCESTORS!!!

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the wonders of the sky as it is accessible to our eyes alone, i.e. "naked eye astronomy" as the ancients saw the sky. And because the wonders of the sky offer us both a constant reference through time since prehistory that shaped the world-view of ancient cultures and our continuing method for actually measuring increments of time from prehistory to the present day, naked eye astronomy is an important cultural factor now and in times past. So we will also explore some of the anthropology and archaeology associated with naked eye astronomy.

In this course you will learn how the sky appears to the naked-eye in considerable detail, including the motions of the stars, planets, Sun and Moon relative to the horizons here on the Earth. You will also learn the positions and appearances of some of the most conspicuous constellations of stars. Half of the lectures will be conducted in the Fiske Planetarium to facilitate you learning these basics. A few nighttime optional viewing sessions at the Sommers-Bausch Observatory also are scheduled to this end. In parallel with you learning the basics of how the sky looks and moves, we will explore the myths and legends that many cultures have told about the sky and the monuments that ancient civilizations constructed to measure accurately the motions in the sky that allowed accurate calendars. Ancient and indigenous mythologies & cosmologies will also be discussed.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
The Way the Sky Looks: An Introduction
Daily & Annual Motions of the Sun, Moon, Planets & Stars
Basics of Celestial Navigation and its use in Polynesia
Lunar Phases, The Sun at all Seasons & the Development of the Calendar
Setting the Calendar with Monument Alignments: Stonehenge, the Pyramids, the Sundagger
Maya sites & the Maya calendars
Eclipses: Lunar & Solar; Stonehenge, the Sundagger, and the Antikythera Mechanism
Constellations and Starlore of Many Cultures
The Zodiac and Astrology
Other Naked Eye Phenomena: Meteors, Comets, Supernovae
Ancient Greek Astronomy & Cosmology: Measuring the Cosmos

PREREQUISITES:
High School Algebra and Geometry

TEXTBOOK:
1.Notes for ASTR 2000 (required)
2.Observing Projects for ASTR 2000 (required)
3.Early Man and the Cosmos by Evan Hadingham (recommended)

COURSE GRADE:
{Midterm Exam, Research Paper (10--15 pages) and Final Exam; Do 2 of 3 (25% + 25%)}; Observing Projects (do 4 out of 6; 25%); Homework (25%); and "Stump the TA/LA" (extra credit)

RESEARCH PAPER:
Click Here Reserach Paper Guidelines

DETAILED SCHEDULE FOR ASTR 2000

Reading specified by part, chapter (Ch) or pages(pp) Keyed to the first work of Book Title ("Early Man" or "Notes")