Part I: Developing perspective
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Jan 13 - 25 |
Distance and time scales in the Universe |
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Chapters 1-3 |
Motions in the Universe |
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The night sky: constellations, celestial sphere; motions of the stars |
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The Earth and Moon: seasons, phases, eclipses |
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Retrograde motion of the planets |
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Astronomy in ancient cultures, including polynesian navigation |
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Copernicus, Tycho, Kepler, Galileo |
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The nature of science |
Part II: Key concepts for astronomy
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Jan 27 - Feb 8 |
Newton's laws of motion |
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Chapters 4,5 |
Conservation of momentum and energy |
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Gravity |
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Basic properties of light and matter |
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Telescopes |
Part III: Learning from other worlds
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Feb 10 - Mar 1 |
Our solar system and its origin |
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Chapters 6-9 |
Extrasolar planetary systems |
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Earth and the terrrestrial worlds |
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Jovian planet systems |
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Asteroids, comets, and Pluto |
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Mar 3 |
Review |
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Mar 8 |
Midterm 1 |
Part IV: Stars
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Mar 10 - Apr 5 |
Gravitational equilibrium |
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Chapters 10-13 |
Nuclear fusion and the solar thermostat |
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Solar activity and its effect on Earth |
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Properties of stars (luminosity, distance, temperature, mass) |
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Classifying stars: the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram |
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Star birth and death |
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White dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes |
Part V: Galaxies and beyond
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Apr 7 |
Basic properties of the Milky Way |
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Chapter 14 |
Galactic recycling: the star-gas-star cycle |
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A black hole at the Galactic center? |
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Apr 12 |
Review |
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Apr 14 |
Midterm 2 |
Part V: Galaxies and beyond (contd.)
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Apr 19 - 26 |
Spirals, Ellipticals and Irregulars |
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Chapters 15-17 |
Hubble's law |
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Galaxy evolution and quasars |
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Dark matter and dark energy |
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The Big Bang |
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Multiple Universes? |
Part VI: Life on Earth and beyond
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April 28 |
Terrestrial life |
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Chapter 18 |
Extraterrestrial life |
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Interstellar travel |
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May 3 |
Overview of the entire course |
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May 10 |
Final exam |
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