I very much like the textbook selected for this course, in part because it begins with, and
spends much time on, the subject of "stellar" astronomy. This research area is of keen interest
to me. However, there are a large number of other pretty good introductory textbooks on
the market today. If you wish to read one of these other texts for a fresh idea about a topic,
please see us and we shall be happy to lend you a text (there are a lot also at the URL and
PMA libraries).
You may be interested to visit our Student Observatory on the roof of Painter Hall.
This houses a 9-inch refracting telescope. The public nights are Friday and Saturday -
clear nights only! This is a simple telescope to use and students (you!) can be checked
out to observe independently with it. For further information, please visit the links at
http://outreach.as.utexas.edu/index.html.
COURSE TOPICS
This course will provide a general introduction to contemporary astronomy. Unfortunately
it is impossible in one semester to do justice to all potentially interesting topics. After
beginning with about three weeks of discussion of some "natural phenomena" and some of
the needed ideas from physics, we will spend about half of the semester studying the broad
area of stellar astronomy. During this part of the course we will also introduce many of
the areas of physics necessary to appreciate the origin and evolution of stars. What topics
after stars? Unfortunately, it simply is not possible to do justice to both the subject of solar
system astronomy (the Sun and the planets) and that of the larger universe (our galaxy,
other galaxies, and cosmology). So, how about a sporting proposition here? As we near the
end of our work on stars, I will call for a vote! Would you like to study galaxies and the
universe, or would you like to study our Solar System? I'll make the decision if the vote is
closely split, but will go with your wishes if a strong preference is indicated.
Below I have blocked out the semester, naming the text chapters relevant to each topic.
In each class, discussion will be focused on the more difficult material. However, you are
responsible for all of the material given in the text, as well as that given in class. Please
read the identified chapters of the text before our class discussion.
Week
|
|
Text
|
|
Topics
|
1
|
|
1, 2
|
|
Scale of Universe, Nomenclature, Celestial Sphere
|
2
|
|
3
|
|
Motion of the Sun, Seasons, Lunar and Planetary Phases
|
3
|
|
3, 4
|
|
Eclipses, Planetary Motions, Gravitation
|
4
|
|
5
|
|
Electromagnetic Spectrum, Optics
|
5
|
|
5
|
|
Telescopes, Instruments, "Continuous Radiation"
First Exam (Approx.)
|
6
|
|
6
|
|
Radiation, Atoms and Spectral Lines, Doppler Effect
|
7
|
|
6, 8
|
|
Spectral Sequence, Parallax, HR Diagram, Binary Stars
|
8
|
|
8
|
|
Mass vs. Luminosity, Stellar Lifetimes, Star Clusters
|
9
|
|
8, 9
|
|
Star Formation, Structure of Stable Stars, Energy Sources
Second Exam (Approx.)
|
10
|
|
9, 10
|
|
Main Sequence Evolution, Red Giants, Planetary Nebulae
|
11
|
|
10, 11
|
|
White Dwarfs, Pulsars, Black Holes
|
OPTION 1:
|
12
|
|
12
|
|
The Milky Way Galaxy
|
13
|
|
13, 14
|
|
Other Galaxies, Galaxy Clusters, Peculiar Galaxies
Third Exam (Approx.)
|
14
|
|
14, 15
|
|
Exotic (violent) Galaxies; Cosmology Observations
|
15
|
|
15
|
|
Where and When did it begin? Cosmology Theory
|
OPTION 2:
|
12
|
|
16
|
|
Building From a Cloud to the Whole Solar System
|
13
|
|
17
|
|
The Moon and Terrestrial Planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars)
Third Exam (Approx.)
|
14
|
|
18
|
|
The Giant Planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune); Wannabes
|
15
|
|
19
|
|
Solar System Debris
|
FINAL EXAM: Friday, May 12, 9 AM - 12 noon
|
|
