ASTRONOMY ARGUMENTS:

1)

Description of the Earth as a Geoid

Geocentric, Horizontal, Equatorial, Ecliptic and Galactic coordinate systems

The motions of the stars and the Sun on the Sky

Introduction to perturbations of coordinates

Distances of Stars

2)

The Sidereal Time

Sidereal and Synodic Days

Equation of Equinoxes and Equation of Time

The Universal Time

Time Standards: TAI, TDT, TT, UTC

Tropical year, Julian and Gregorian Calendars

The Seasons

Twilight

3)

Differences between Meridian, Alt-Azimutal and Equatorial Telescopes

Advantages and Drawbacks of Alt-Azimutal mounts

4)

Physical Causes of Precession and Nutation

Movements of the Ecliptic plane

Detailed Treatment of Luni-Solar Precession, Planetary Precession, and Nutation

Polar Motion