ASTRONOMY
DSST PREP
Note: The PASS Earth/Space textbook (scroll past Biology) has several chapters devoted to astronomy topics that may help with studying for this course. The last four chapters of the CK-12 Earth Science textbook are also dedicated to astronomy subjects.
Students may be interested in Saylor's Astronomy course, a free college-level course.
PRIMARY SOURCES:
Georgia Virtual Learning Astronomy course
Teach Astronomy
CK-12's Physics from Stargazers to Starships - "An introduction to astronomy written with a historical perspective."
Astronomy Class Online
Khan Academy Astronomy videos
Astronomy Today - designed to accompany textbook but can be used alone; with quizzes, activites, and suggested additional links
ADDITIONAL SOURCES:
Astronomy Picture of the Day - hosted by NASA
Astronomy Interactives
Astronomy Timeline
General Astronomy
Views of the Solar System
Online Astronomy Academy - choose course 2
Astronomy and the Universe
DSST Astronomy Fact Sheet - includes outline, test description, and sample questions.
Exam Outline:
I. History of Astronomy - 9% A. Nature of science
B. How scientists think and work
II. Celestial Mechanics, Including Gravitation and Relativity - 5%
III. Celestial Systems - 13%
A. Earth and the sky
B. Earth and the Moon
C. Time and the calendar
IV. Astronomical Instruments - 12%
A. Measurement and analysis of starlight
B. The electromagnetic spectrum
V. The Solar System - 19%
A. Contents, form, and motions
B. Evolution
VI. The Sun and Stars: Nature and Evolution - 17%
VII. Our Galaxy: Contents and Structure - 7%
VIII. The Universe: Contents, Structure, and Evolution - 10%
IX. Determining Astronomical Distances - 5%
X. Life in the Universe - 3%
TEST PRACTICE AND FINAL EXAM:
Astronomy Sample Test - answers not provided
Practice Final Test - answers are on same page
Final Exam & Answer Keys - choice of released exams (scroll down the screen.)
Recommended Course of Study:
Begin by printing the course outline. Create sections in your study journal for each major topic. (The 10 points of the outline.) Complete the Georgia Virtual course, and read through the Teach Astronomy and CK-12 textbooks, taking notes in the appropriate section of your journal. Go through the lessons at the Astronomy Class Online site. Watch the Khan Academy videos. (Choose which videos. Some are more applicable to Earth Science studies.)
Visit the Astronomy Today website and work through the multiple choice, labeling, practice problems and true/false questions. Note: The animations clips may not work on current versions of Windows Media Player, but can be played on Real Player (free download). Copy the animation clip URL by right-clicking on the link and selecting "Copy Shortcut". In Real Player, click --> File --> Open, and paste in the link.
Use the additional resources to study more about specific topics, such as "the Solar System." Finish the course with the practice tests, then the final exam.
Visit your local library for more information on astronomy, if needed.
DSST PREP
Note: The PASS Earth/Space textbook (scroll past Biology) has several chapters devoted to astronomy topics that may help with studying for this course. The last four chapters of the CK-12 Earth Science textbook are also dedicated to astronomy subjects.
Students may be interested in Saylor's Astronomy course, a free college-level course.
PRIMARY SOURCES:
Georgia Virtual Learning Astronomy course
Teach Astronomy
CK-12's Physics from Stargazers to Starships - "An introduction to astronomy written with a historical perspective."
Astronomy Class Online
Khan Academy Astronomy videos
Astronomy Today - designed to accompany textbook but can be used alone; with quizzes, activites, and suggested additional links
ADDITIONAL SOURCES:
Astronomy Picture of the Day - hosted by NASA
Astronomy Interactives
Astronomy Timeline
General Astronomy
Views of the Solar System
Online Astronomy Academy - choose course 2
Astronomy and the Universe
DSST Astronomy Fact Sheet - includes outline, test description, and sample questions.
Exam Outline:
I. History of Astronomy - 9% A. Nature of science
B. How scientists think and work
II. Celestial Mechanics, Including Gravitation and Relativity - 5%
III. Celestial Systems - 13%
A. Earth and the sky
B. Earth and the Moon
C. Time and the calendar
IV. Astronomical Instruments - 12%
A. Measurement and analysis of starlight
B. The electromagnetic spectrum
V. The Solar System - 19%
A. Contents, form, and motions
B. Evolution
VI. The Sun and Stars: Nature and Evolution - 17%
VII. Our Galaxy: Contents and Structure - 7%
VIII. The Universe: Contents, Structure, and Evolution - 10%
IX. Determining Astronomical Distances - 5%
X. Life in the Universe - 3%
TEST PRACTICE AND FINAL EXAM:
Astronomy Sample Test - answers not provided
Practice Final Test - answers are on same page
Final Exam & Answer Keys - choice of released exams (scroll down the screen.)
Recommended Course of Study:
Begin by printing the course outline. Create sections in your study journal for each major topic. (The 10 points of the outline.) Complete the Georgia Virtual course, and read through the Teach Astronomy and CK-12 textbooks, taking notes in the appropriate section of your journal. Go through the lessons at the Astronomy Class Online site. Watch the Khan Academy videos. (Choose which videos. Some are more applicable to Earth Science studies.)
Visit the Astronomy Today website and work through the multiple choice, labeling, practice problems and true/false questions. Note: The animations clips may not work on current versions of Windows Media Player, but can be played on Real Player (free download). Copy the animation clip URL by right-clicking on the link and selecting "Copy Shortcut". In Real Player, click --> File --> Open, and paste in the link.
Use the additional resources to study more about specific topics, such as "the Solar System." Finish the course with the practice tests, then the final exam.
Visit your local library for more information on astronomy, if needed.