On this page:

1. Astronomy I

2. Astronomy II

3. Current information Updated 18 February 2012

4. Grades Grades will be posted on School Loop.

5. Parent Letter Updated 2 August 2011

6. Images 20 June 2006

7. Links to resources  5 October 2011

8. Pictures of Class Activities 4 July 2008

9. Astronomy Club 28 October  2006

10.  Hall of Fame 10 June 07

Linked files in PDF format; you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader (or equivalent) to view

At Fremont Peak in 2000 with the 16 inch telescope built for Chaffey's Astronomy class

Chaffey High School offers two courses in Astronomy.  Both are University of California approved as meeting the University's A-G entrance requirements for a science elective. Astronomy I is a one semester course that introduces students to the universe, its motions and the laws that govern it.  We engage in many hands on activities in the classroom and outside the classroom.  Since Ontario suffers from severe light pollution, we spend many evenings viewing the sky from the Mt. Baldy area using several telescopes ranging in size from a 6-inch Newtonian reflector to Mr. James' 16-inch Dobsonian (shown at right). The course pre-requisite is a B or better in Algebra I, a B or better in both Physical Science and Earth Science, and instructor approval. Click here for the course syllabus.

Our second course is Astronomy II, also a one semester course focusing on student research and communication of learning in a scientific format. Our investigations are selected from a diverse array of topics such as the solar system, the Milky Way Galaxy, other galaxies, cosmology and computer modeling of stars.  The pre-requisite is completion of Astronomy I with a grade of C or better.  As in Astronomy I, sky viewing and the use of the TIE facilities are important components of our course. Click here for the course syllabus.

Current information regarding what's up in the sky and what's happening in class (Updated 18 February 2012).

Images taken by our students using TIE telescopes (Updated 20 June 2006).

Links to astronomical resources (Updated 26 August 2006).

The Chaffey Astronomical Society is Chaffey's Astronomy Club open to all students who are interested in Astronomy and want to enjoy sky viewing, conversation, and community outreach.

Astronomy Hall of Fame:  Recipients of the Excellence in Astronomy Award to the graduating senior exhibiting excellence and enthusiasm in Chaffey High School's Astronomy program.  Since 2005, the recipient has received a one year subscription to Sky and Telescope magazine.

Instructor is Tom James.  E-mail your comments:
 

If you are interested, here is a short bio about Mr. James.

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Copyright 1998-2012 Thomas James  All rights reserved.