PH 341 - Intro-Astronomy/Astrophysics

• Distinguish between scientific models and reality. Discuss the scientific method
• Discuss the history of astronomy and astronomical observations
• Describe the universe in general terms, its constituents, and the Earth’s position in the universe.
• Distinguish between astronomy and astrology
• Describe how the laws of Newtonian mechanics lead to an understanding of Kepler’s laws of planetary motion
• Discuss the mechanics of orbits and explain “weight-lessness”
• Understand the use of celestial coordinates and terminology
• Explain the origin of the Earth’s seasons, lunar phases and eclipses of the sun and moon
• Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and the inverse-square law of propagation of electromagnetic energy
• Explain the importance of spectroscopy in astronomy, as used in temperature determination and spectral classification, composition, and relative velocity of stars
• Discuss the Planck Radiation Law, and basic atomic theory as it relates to emission and absorption spectra
• Describe various forms of astronomical instrumentation, including optical and radio telescopes, photometric devices, and ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma ray telescopes
• Explain the choices of the locations of the orbiting Hubble and James Webb space telescopes
• Describe the solar system, its constituents, and size in general terms and to discuss the properties of the terrestrial and Jovian planets
• Calculate the average temperature of the surfaces of the planets, and to know the current facts about climate change and global warming
• Describe the life cycle of stars and to explain how the details of a star’s life cycle depends on its mass
• Discuss meteors, asteroids, and comets in general terms
• Discuss the history and future of space exploration
• Explain how the apparent and absolute magnitudes of stars are determined
• Explain how astronomical distances are determined
• Understand how the energy radiated by the sun is produced and to calculate the sun’s probable lifetime
• Explain how the H-R diagram and computer methods lead to an understanding of the structure and evolution of stars, including white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, black holes, and supernovae
• Describe the Milky Way Galaxy, its shape, size, and structure
• Discuss galaxies, galactic distances and galactic types, including quasars
• Discuss the structure of the universe, the Hubble Law, and the Big Bang cosmological model
• Understand the different methods used to search for extrasolar planets including the Kepler Mission

• None 

• Astronomy (6 classes)
• Observational astronomy (6 classes)
• Planetary and stellar motions (6 classes)
• Interstellar material (3 classes)
• Star types, etc. (3 classes)
• Stellar evolution (2 classes)
• Galaxies and quasars (2 classes)
• Cosmology (2 classes)