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Syllabus for A301/Spring 2005/46690
INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY
Instructor: Professor Shardha Jogee
Below is an approximate outline and timeline of topics to be covered.
The pace will be adjusted based on feedback from the students.
A partial reading list of chapters from the course textbook (Cosmic
Perspectives, 3rd Edition, by Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, and Voit)
is also given. Additional reading material will be posted on the course
website as the
semester proceeds.
You should consult the course website regularly for updates,
changes of schedule, posting of selected notes from the lecture,
assignments, homeworks, etc.
Dates
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Weekly Topics
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WF
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Jan 19,21
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Astronomical Objects, Distance Scale
Key Concepts/Overview
Ch 1
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MWF
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Jan 24,26,28
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History of Astronomy: Greek Science, Copernicus, Tycho, Kepler, Galileo, Newton, Einstein.
Seasons, Eclipses, Tides
Ch 1,3
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MWF
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Jan 31,
Feb 2,4
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Key Concepts: Matter, Energy, Force
The Nature of Light
Telescopes, Modern Astronomy
The Scientific Method
Ch 4,5,6
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MWF
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Feb 7,9,11
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The Sun
Observations of Stars
Structure of Stars
Ch 6,15
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MWF
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Feb 14,16,18
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Formation of Stars
Evolution of Stars
Ch 16,17
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MWF
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Feb 21,23,25
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Death of Stars
White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, Black Holes
Review sessions as needed
Ch 17,18
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MWF
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Feb 28,
Mar 2,4
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Review sessions as needed
Our Galaxy: The Milky Way
EXAM 1 roughly around this week
Ch 19
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MWF
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Mar 7,9,11
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Constituents of Galaxies
Dark Matter in Galaxies
Types of Galaxies: The Hubble Sequence
Types of Galaxies: Starburst, Active, Quiescent
Ch 20,21
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Mar 14-19
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Spring Break
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MWF
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Mar 21,23,25
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Galaxies Far from our Own
Measuring Cosmic Distances/Ages
Redshift, Cosmic Lookback Time
Galaxy Interactions
Ch 21,22
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MWF
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Mar 28,30,
Apr 1
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Galaxy Formation
Galaxy Evolution: From Cosmic Dawn to the Present Day
Galaxy Surveys: GOODS, GEMS
Galaxy Surveys: The Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF)
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MWF
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Apr 4,6,8
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The Begining of Time: Evidence for the Big Bang
Big Bang versus Steady State
Ch 23,S2,S3
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MWF
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Apr 11,13,15
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Dark Matter in the Universe
Space, Time, and Einstein
Dark Energy
The Fate(s) of the Universe
Ch 22,S2,S3,S4
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MWF
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Apr 18,20,22
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A Tour of the Solar System
Origin of the Solar System
The Earthlike Planets
Ch 8,9,12
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MWF
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Apr 25,27,29
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The Outer Solar System
Extraterrestrial Life
Current and Future Missions
Perspectives
Ch 10,11,24
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MWF
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May 2,4,6
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Review sessions as needed
EXAM 2
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