Lecture 14 – Solar System Overview
Summary / Checklist of the Main Concepts to Understand and Remember

Additional Points on Telescopes and Observation in Astronomy  
red bullet Other than telescopes for visible light, what is the only type of telescope that can work well from the surface on the Earth?  
• Why do radio telescopes have to be much larger than optical telescopes?  
• How can radio telescopes perform well if their surfaces are not as smooth as mirrors?  
• In what ways can amateur astronomers contribute to astronomy?  
     
Overall View of the Solar System  
red bullet General structure: Eight planets (names) and many smaller objects, in orbits that are mostly aligned in the same plane.  
• [What is the reason for the alignment of the planets' orbits?]  
red bullet What are the main differences between Terrestrial and Jovian planets? (Spacing, planet size, surface/density, moons, rings)  
• [What is the main reason for the differences between Terrestrial and Jovian planets?]  
red bullet Looking at the layout of the Solar System on a particular day, be able to determine which planets are visible at what times.  
     
     
     
     
     

Topics from the lecture page and textbook not listed above [or between square brackets] were not covered in class;
Underlined words indicate that I will expect students to remember a number or a name related to that topic.

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