Astronomy

Here is a general description of what astronomy at West is all about.  West is very lucky to has a museum quality planetarium.  The astronomy students will use the planetarium throughout the year for labs and general information about the nighttime sky.

Look here for the         Fall Semester Syllabus            or             Spring Semester Syllabus

Fall Semester

Astronomy: Solar System

Students investigate the development of astronomy from the ideas of the ancients to the modern technological exploration of our solar system. The course focuses on the origin, dynamics and physical characteristics of members of the solar system (sun, planets, satellites, meteoroids, asteroids, and comets). Through a study of planetary geology, students will gain an appreciation for the interdisciplinary mature of astronomy. Class activities will include planetarium observations, as well as laboratory experiences based on data provided by NASA, Harvard Smithsonian MicroObservatory and other astronomy-based facilities.

Spring Semester

Astronomy: Universe

Students investigate astronomy from the stellar and galactic view. They begin with the physical properties of stars and stellar evolution (how an astronomer infers a star's origin and eventual demise.) They progress to studies of galaxies, using the Milky Way as the standard for comparison. The universe on a grand scale then becomes the topic for discussions on clusters of galaxies and cosmology (the origin and evolution of the universe). The planetarium, MicroObservatory Net and Mt. Wilson 24" Schmidt will aid laboratory studies, as well as information from many other NASA sights including the Hubble Telescope.


If you are looking for lesson plans then you should look here.
1st Quarter
 2nd Quarter
 3rd Quarter
 4th Quarter
August 18 - 27, 2010
 October 18 - 29, 2010
 January 3 - 14, 2011
 March 14 - 25, 2011
August 30 - September 10, 2010
 November 1 - 12, 2010
 January 17 - 28, 2011
 March 28 - April 8, 2011
September 13 - 24, 2010
 November 15 - 26, 2010
 January 31 - February 11, 2011
 April 11 - 22, 2011
September 27 - October 8, 2010
 November 29 - December 10, 2010
February 14 - 25, 2011
 April 25 - May 6, 2011
October 11 - 15, 2010 December 13 - 17, 2010
 February 28 -  March 4, 2011
 May 9 - 20, 2011



You should be checking your grade every week
If you want to check your grades then go here


Important links

Website to find deep sky objects in constellations