The indicated reading and homework assignments should be completed before class on the listed date. Updates to the schedule may be announced periodically in class. Check the website for the most recent version.
Week 1: Developing Perspective
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May 23 |
General course overview |
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May 24 |
Our place in the universe |
ECP: pp. 1 14 |
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May 25 |
The world in motion; the seasons |
ECP: pp. 14 21, 33 38 |
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May 26 |
The nighttime sky; our Moon; planets |
ECP: pp. 25 32, 38 43, 44 49 |
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May 27 |
History of astronomy;
Polynesian voyaging |
ECP: pp. 53 67 |
Week 2: A Physical Background for Astronomical Concepts
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May 30 |
Holidayno class |
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May 31 |
Scientific method; mathematics review; notation |
ECP: pp. 67 72, Homework #1 due |
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June 1 |
Basic Newtonian physics; tides |
ECP: pp. 77 85, 90 92, 94 97 |
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June 2 |
Conservation laws; orbits |
ECP: pp. 85 90, 92 - 94 |
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June 3 |
Properties of light |
ECP: pp. 103 117 |
Week 3: The Solar System
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June 6 |
Telescopes; tour of the
solar system |
ECP: pp. 117 125, 131 133 |
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June 7 |
Origin of the solar system |
ECP: pp. 145 160, Homework #2 due |
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June 8 |
Earth and the terrestrial planets |
ECP: pp. 167 - 183 |
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June 9 |
The gas giants |
ECP: pp. 211 233, Observing night |
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June 10 |
Holidayno class
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Week 4: Stars
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June 13 |
Midterm Exam
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June 14 |
The Sun |
ECP: pp. 257 265, 267 - 275 |
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June 15 |
Stellar properties |
ECP: pp. 279 297 |
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June 16 |
The H-R Diagram, Birth of
Stars |
ECP: pp. 301 314, 329 - 330 |
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June 17 |
Low and high mass star
evolution |
ECP: pp. 314 324, Homework #3 due |
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June 20 |
Black Holes and more
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ECP: pp. 330 - 345 |
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June 21 |
The Milky Way Galaxy |
ECP: pp. 349 - 369, Midterm revisions due |
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June 22 |
Galaxy classification; cosmological distance
ladder |
ECP: pp. 374 388, Homework #4 due |
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June 23 |
Galaxy evolution |
ECP: pp. 388 400, |
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June 24 |
Dark matter |
ECP: pp. 405 416 |
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June 27 |
Structure formation; fate
of the universe |
ECP: pp. 417 426 |
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June 28 |
The Big Bang |
ECP: pp. 430 452, Homework #5 due |
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June 29 |
Conditions for life; Life on other worlds; Rare
Earth? |
ECP: pp. 160 162, 197 204, 464 480 |
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June 30 |
Review for final exam |
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July 1 |
Final Exam
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