About Me

My name is Dr. Patrick M. Len, and I will be your instructor for this course. You can watch this video to find out more about me!

Contact Information

Instructor: Dr. Patrick M. Len, Ph.D.
E-mail: pLen@cuesta.edu

About This Course

Here are important details to know about this course before the start of the spring 2026 semester. You gain full access to this course on the first day of the semester (Tuesday, January 20). This course is a hybrid of in-person classroom and online work.

This is a projects-based course where you download, print out, and use analog tools to track the motions of the stars, the sun, the moon, and planets in the sky; categorize planets and exoplanets; and analyze the properties of stars, how they live right now, and how they will inevitably die.

Together we explore the universe and understand your place in it, while being respectful of everyone's backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. We can learn about astronomy and from each other in an enthusiastic and welcoming environment. Your feedback is valuable, and so please let me know what can be done to maximize your learning experience.

Hybrid Course Information

This course has two weekly components:

• In-person lecture (room 2609, San Luis Obispo campus), Wednesday 6:00 PM - 7:20 PM.
• Asynchronous online instruction (using Canvas).

We use Canvas (a web-based learning management system) for course materials and links, downloading printouts, practice quizzes, uploading assignments, discussion boards, e-mail, and grades. Prepare to spend 8-12 hours per week for this course on attending the face-to-face class, self-directed online reading, viewing, studying, and writing.

If you are unsure if a hybrid course with an online component is right for you, go to Cuesta College's Online Readiness Resources webpage and go through the questions listed there, to self-assess your ability to succeed.

Refer to the Technical Frequently Asked Questions regarding specific minimum computer and browser requirements for Canvas.

Cuesta College has resources on Getting Started with Canvas, and offers a "Being Successful Online" tutorial.

Cuesta College has a technical support page available to help you with Canvas problems.

Course Catalog Description

This course presents the astronomy of planets, satellites, asteroids, comets, meteors, the sun, stars, and galaxies. Prerequisite: elementary algebra or eligibility for college-level math using the current college process.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Understand cycles and motions of the sun, moon, stars, and planets.
2. Describe and explain how light is collected and analyzed in astronomy.
3. Compare and contrast features of planets and other solar system objects.
4. Describe and explain properties and lives of stars and galaxies.
5. Discuss and evaluate astronomy content and value of statements from literature, media, and popular culture.

Required Materials

Contact me if you have problems accessing the textbook; downloading and printing out course materials; or scanning/uploading completed assignments (answers, diagrams, screenshots).

• Astronomy, 2nd Edition, by A. Fraknoi, D. Morrison, & S. Wolff (2022). This is an open educational resource textbook that can be read online (for free) on the OpenStax website, or downloaded (for free) as a single PDF file to your laptop, tablet, or phone. (There are options to order black/white or color printouts of all 1,000+ pages shipped to you for a nominal fee. OpenStax is a non-profit organization.)
  
  
  • openstax.org/details/books/astronomy-2e Links to an external site.
    
    
• Assembling the (free) Sky & Telescope starwheel to locate stars and constellations in the night sky.
  

  
  Watch this video on printing, cutting out, and stapling together this starwheel. Two PDF files to download:

  • skyandtelescope.org/wp-content/uploads/starwheel+disk.pdf
  • skyandtelescope.org/wp-content/uploads/starwheel-sleeve1.pdf
    
    
• A printer (or access to a library, copy shop, or office supply store with printing services) for pages necessary to construct hands-on tools (such as the Sky & Telescope starwheel).
  
  
• A camera-enabled smartphone, tablet (or laptop webcam) to take screenshots of websites and scan printed work to submit to Canvas.
  
  
• Google Docs (using your my.cuesta.edu account) to answer questions, plot data and draw lines on diagrams to submit to Canvas.

Accommodations

You can arrange reasonable learning accommodations for this course (or for selected components that may be inherently inaccessible) through Cuesta College Disabled Student Programs & Services, and they coordinate with you and me on the specific details.

Course Standards

In this course, I will help you learn to the best of their ability, and be fair in grading your work. In return, you can always ask for help and/or extensions on difficult assignments, and submit only your own individual work. Together we can do this, and successfully explore the universe and our place in it!

There are four different levels of responsibly using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in this course. Every assignment will be clearly labeled with the appropriate responsible use level.

(Review the Cuesta College Student Code of Conduct for a complete list of acceptable and unacceptable behavior.)