Study Guide for the 1st midterm
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Astronomical Unit and parsec - definitions (not values) 
Tilt of the Earth's axis; why we have seasons; day/night
Precession of Earth's axis
Solstices and Equinoxes
The ecliptic
Solar and Lunar eclipses
Retrograde motion of Mars
Geocentric vs Heliocentric models of the Solar System
Phases of Venus
Scientific theory: what makes a good one?
Kepler's Laws of planetary motion
Newton's Laws of motion 
Types of energy: kinetic, potential, radiative
Conservation of Energy; examples from power plants, etc
Force; center of mass 
Newton's law of gravity; acceleration due to gravity
Conservation of linear and angular momentum
Ocean tides; frictional force; tidal locking
Electro-Magnetic radiation; frequency, wavelength
Propagation; speed of light
How did Roemer measure the speed of light
Transverse (e.g. EM) and longitudinal (e.g. sound) waves
Waves carry energy
Photons
Structure of atoms; atoms, isotopes and ions
Electronic energy levels & electron transitions
Doppler effect; redshift and blueshift
Diffraction - spreading out of waves passing thru' an opening
Line spectra: emission and absorption
Thermal, or blackbody spectrum (an example of continuous spectrum)
For thermal emittors: (peak emission wavelength) * (temp) = constant
Telescopes: two main properties: light-gathering power & angular resulotion 
Atmosphere is not transparent to all types of EM radiation
Why some telescopes have to be above the atmosphere
Formation of the Solar System
General properties of the Solar System 
Main features of the Nebular theory of SS formation