| TERM: | 2017-18 Winter |
| COURSE NUMBER: |
ASTR 201 |
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| COURSE TITLE: |
Introduction to Astronomy II |
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| NAME OF INSTRUCTOR: |
Dr. Brian Martin |
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| CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION: |
credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 3) |
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| COURSE DESCRIPTION: |
A continuation of Astronomy 200, the course will focus on
galactic astronomy as well as a discussion of major ideas in
cosmology. Topics will include structure and formation of the
galaxy, experimental techniques in astronomy and the Big-Bang
cosmology and possible alternative models. The course concludes
with a return to the earth-sun system and the question of
origins. The course has both daytime and occasional evening lab
components. |
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| REQUIRED TEXTS: |
Seeds, Michael. Foundations of Astronomy; 11th edition. (ITP Nelson) |
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| MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT: |
|
| Laboratory Assignments and Projects | 25% |
| Lab Assignments | 15% |
| Midterm Exam | 25% |
| Final Exam | 35% |
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| 100% |
|
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| CONTENT OUTLINE: |
- The physics of stars, including a discussion of
temperature, colour, radius and mass will be reviewed This will lead to
the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and the spectral sequence and provide a
backdrop against which the paradigm of stellar evolution may be
explored and applied to galactic astronomy
- Variable stars
including intrinsic and binary star systems will be explored. The
applications of Kepler's 3rd law to binary systems will be used to
determine some of the physical parameters of stars.
- Star
clusters, nebulae and motion of stars within our galaxy will be
discussed. This will include a discussion of techniques used to
determine the distances to stars within the galaxy and the
establishment of "cosmic yardsticks".
- Galactic astronomy will
be introduced and focus on the structure and morphology of galaxies as
well as implications that galactic astronomy has for cosmology. The
problem of missing mass, quasars and the red shift problem will be
discussed.
- Cosmology, including a discussion of early 20th
century models, as well as the Big-Bang cosmology will be considered.
Of particular interest will be a discussion of recent controversy
regarding the Big Bang cosmology and the red shift problem. The topic
of nucleosynthesis will be raised and applied to the formation of the
solar system and the emergence of life within the universe. This will
lead to a discussion of the problem of origins and the scope and
limitation of scientific treatments of this question.
The second term course on astronomy will acquaint the student with one
of the major achievements of science - the understanding of stellar
astrophysics. It will also introduce the student to some of the more
speculative ideas in science including black holes, the inflationary
universe, and cosmic strings. Throughout the course there will be
numerous opportunities to discuss the nature of science and to subject
the discussion to perspectival questions regarding thematic and
philosophic choices. The red shift controversy is an example of this.
Also, the problem of reconciling faith statements regarding the
formation of the universe and astrophysical theory will be explored. |
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| LAB SCHEDULE: |
- Jan 15
- Review of magnitude and distance
concepts - This is intended to give you a quick introduction to some of
the major ideas from last term
- HR Diagram and distance modulus (Solutions)
- Jan 22
- Cephied
Variables and Galactic Distances - practice using the period-luminosity
relationship and how Cepheids can be used as distance indicators
(Solutions)
- Jan 29
- Finding the Galactic Center - Retrace Shapley's argument to show where we are in the galaxy!
- Feb 5
- Quasars and Redshifts - practice using the redshift relations (Solutions)
- Feb 26
- Hubble Lab- Expansion of the Universe
- Mar 5
- Hubble Lab - Expansion of the Universe (continued)
- Mar 12
- Measuring the Moon (part1 of Lab Project #3)
- Mar 19
- Measuring the Planets (part2 of Lab Project #3)
- April 9
- Comet Linear - measure the speed and kinetic energy of a comet
|
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THE KING'S UNIVERSITY