Proposed calendar statement:
ASTR 102 (3) Introduction to Stars and Galaxies. Modern
stellar and extragalactic astronomy. Stars and stellar evolution from
protostars to black holes; galaxies and quasars; cosmology. Pre-requisite:
Physics 11 and Mathematics 12. Astronomy 201/202 is recommended for students
who intend to pursue studies in Astronomy. [3-3*-0]
Contact person: J.M. Matthews
Text: Universe 5th Edition by Kaufmann & Freedman (same as ASTR 101)
Description: An introduction to astronomy following
on from ASTR 101. Topics include stellar evolution; the structure of the Milky
Way; properties of galaxies; the large-scale structure and evolution of the
Universe.
Week
1: Laws of electromagnetic radiation
Week
2: Stars: Distances, brightnesses and colours
Week
3: Stars: Spectra and temperatures
Week
4: Stars: Masses and radii
Week
5: Starbirth
Week
6: Stellar middle age
Week
7: Stellar pulsation and clusters
Week
8: Stardeath
Week
9: The Milky Way
Week
10: Other galaxies; the Hubble Law
Week
11: Quasars; large scale structure in the cosmos
Week
12: The Big Bang Theory
Week
13: Cosmology; SETI
The lab sessions are held in Hennings 312, where we have 18 PCs
running a suite of astronomical simulation software, including a planetarium
simulator, an ``orrery'' (a computer model of the Solar System), Web-based
interfaces to study planetary surfaces, and telescope and instrumentation
simulators. Students also work with practical equipment like optics kits,
spectrographs and gas emission tubes.
The purpose of the lab projects is to reinforce and give `hands-on'
experience with some of the abstract astronomical concepts presented in
lectures. These visualization
tools help students better understand the course material, based on student
feedback and course/lab evaluations.
Evaluation:
5 Lab
projects 20%
4
Assignments 7% each 28%
1 Midterm 16%
1 Final 36%
Total 100%