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Writing Component Section
LIVES AND DEATHS OF THE STARS
Astronomy 309N - Spring 2004
MWF 1:00 - 2:00 · RLM 15.216B · Unique No. 45010
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Announcements
The optional final exam is over, and the course
grades are now posted on eGradebook. Have a nice summer!
—Prof. Dinerstein
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Professor
Dr. Harriet Dinerstein
Office: RLM 16.324
Hours: M 10-11, Tu 2-3,
or by appointment
Phone: (512) 471-3449
harriet@astro.as.
utexas.edu
TA
Nick Sterling
Office: RLM 16.216
Hours: Tu 11-12, W 4-5,
or by appointment
Phone: (512) 471-0445
sterling@astro.as.
utexas.edu
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Prerequisite
Astronomy 309N is an elective course designed for non-science majors. The prerequisite is Ast 301 or the equivalent.
Subject Matter
Ast 309N is about the nature and life cycles of stars, both ordinary and exotic. We will cover how the Sun and other stars
create the energy that keeps them glowing; how stars are born, age, and "die"; planets around other stars; how stars
create the elements of which the Earth and living things are made; the nature of cosmic explosions such as supernovae;
and the evidence that black holes exist. We will also present the basic concepts of relativity in a qualitative way.
Textbooks
"Extreme Stars" by James Kaler (required) & "Cosmic Catastrophes" by J. Craig Wheeler (optional). Additional
materials will be posted on the class website, as well as useful links to websites with advice on writing.
Writing Component Aspect
This course satisfies the requirement for a lower-division course with a substantial writing component (SWC). Most of the
required work will be in the form of writing assignments rather than problem sets, and the exams will all be in essay format.
Assignments and Course Grades
The required work and basis for your course grade will consist of:
- Four in-class hour exams, 15% each, the best three count; total = 45%
- Various writing assignments, including two medium-length term papers and several shorter
writing assignments; total = 45%
- Class participation: 10%
Preliminary Exam Dates
The following are the tentative dates for the hour exams. These are subject to change; however, if changes are made, they
will be announced well in advance, and posted on the class web pages.
Exam 1 - Fri., Feb. 13
Exam 2 - Wed., Mar. 12
Exam 3 - Fri., Apr. 16
Exam 4 - Fri., May 7
Tentative Schedule of Topics
Principles of Matter & Light (review)
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Weeks 1-2 (Jan. 21-28)
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The Sun & the solar neutrino mystery
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Weeks 2-3 (Jan. 30-Feb. 6)
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Main Sequence: superstars to brown dwarfs
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Weeks 4-5 (Feb. 9-20)
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Exoplanets: Planets around other stars
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Week 6 (Feb. 23-27)
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Aging of a Sun-like Star
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Week 7 (Mar. 1-3)
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Aging of a Massive Star (Supernova!)
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Weeks 7-8 (Mar. 5-8)
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S P R I N G B R E A K
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Special & General Relativity
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Weeks 9-10 (Mar. 22-Apr. 2)
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Neutron Stars: Pulsars & More
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Weeks 11-12 (Apr. 5-12)
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Black Holes: Concepts
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Week 13 (Apr. 19-May 4)
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Interacting Stars & (Real) Black Holes
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Week 14 (Apr. 26, 28)
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Special Topics
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Weeks 14-15 (Apr. 30, May 3-5)
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