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8.282

Introduction to Astronomy

3-0-6 units. REST · Undergraduate

Quantitative introduction to the physics of planets, stars, galaxies and our universe, from origin to ultimate fate, with emphasis on the physics tools and observational techniques that enable our understanding. Topics include our solar system, extrasolar planets; our Sun and other "normal" stars, star formation, evolution and death, supernovae, compact objects (white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, stellar-mass black holes); galactic structure, star clusters, interstellar medium, dark matter; other galaxies, quasars, supermassive black holes, gravitational waves; cosmic large-scale structure, origin, evolution and fate of our universe, inflation, dark energy, cosmic microwave background radiation, gravitational lensing, 21cm tomography. Not usable as a restricted elective by Physics majors.

Spring 2006

Introduction to Astronomy provides a quantitative introduction to the physics of the solar system, stars, the interstellar medium, the galaxy, and the universe, as determined from a variety of astronomical observations and models.

Readings

  • Zeilik, Michael, and Stephen A. Gregory. Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics. 4th ed. Fort Worth, TX: Saunders College Publishing, 1997. ISBN: 9780030062285.
    Listed reading
  • Zeilik, Michael, and Stephen A. Gregory. Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics . 4th ed. Fort Worth, TX: Saunders College Publishing, 1997. ISBN: 9780030062285.
    Listed reading
  • LEC #: 5 · TOPICS: Review of Classical Mechanics; Circular Orbits · READINGS: Chapter 1
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 6-7 · TOPICS: Full Kepler Orbit Problem · READINGS: Chapter 1
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 8 · TOPICS: Introduction to Electromagnetic Waves; Doppler Effect · READINGS: Chapter 8
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 11-12 · TOPICS: Optical, Radio, and X-Ray Telescopes · READINGS: Chapter 9
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 13-14 · TOPICS: Distances and Magnitudes · READINGS: Chapter 11
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 15 · TOPICS: Binary Systems · READINGS: Chapter 12
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 16-17 · TOPICS: Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams · READINGS: Chapter 13
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 18-20 · TOPICS: Initial Mass Function; Olbert’s Paradox; The Milky Way · READINGS: Chapters 14, 19, 20
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 21-25 · TOPICS: Birth, Structure, and Evolution of Stars · READINGS: Chapters 15, 16
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 26-28 · TOPICS: Star Death: White Dwarves, Neutron Stars, Supernovae, and Black Holes · READINGS: Chapter 17
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 29 · TOPICS: Cepheid Variables; Mass Transfer Binaries · READINGS: Chapter 18
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 30-31 · TOPICS: Interstellar Medium · READINGS: Chapter 15
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 32 · TOPICS: HII Regions; Galaxy Types · READINGS: Chapters 15, 21
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 33 · TOPICS: Masses of Galaxies and Galaxy Clusters; Distance Ladder · READINGS: Chapters 21, 22, 23
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 34 · TOPICS: Age and Large Scale Structure of the Universe; Intergalactic Medium · READINGS: Chapter 23
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 35 · TOPICS: Active Galactic Nuclei · READINGS: Chapter 24
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 36-37 · TOPICS: Newtonian Cosmology; Thermal History of the Universe · READINGS: Chapters 25, 26
    Reading assignment

Prerequisites & course information

Same subject as 12.402[J] Prereq: Physics I (GIR) U (Spring) 3-0-6 units. REST

Sources