PH1600 Introductory Astronomy ... (2-0-0) f ... 2 Cr

Course Description:
Fundamentals of astronomy are introduced. Topics to be covered include Kepler's and Newton's laws of motion, origin and evolution of the Solar System, Galactic astronomy, extra-galactic astronomy, cosmology, and modern instrumentation, including space-based astronomy.

Prerequisite: none

This course is a prerequisite for: PH4610 and PH4620.

Text (Fall, 2004 and continuing):

Shrink wrapped package including both books (ISBN 0131047655)
Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe, 4 ^th Edition, Eric Chaisson & Steve McMillan
Lecture Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy - Preliminary Version, Adams, Prather, Slater & CAPER

• Universe: Stars & Galaxies, with Starry Nights Observation Guide, 6 ^th Ed., Roger Freeman & William J Kaufmann (ISBN 176766450)
• Seeds: The Solar System & Beyond with Online Journey Through Astronomy Student Comp with 1 Term Passcode, Guidry, Reidinger, Barnes (ISBN 0-534-673848)
• Online Journey Through Astronomy Student Comp with 1 Term Passcode, Guidry, Reidinger, Barnes (ISBN 0-534-57240-5)

• Astronomy: From the Earth to the Universe, 5th Ed. with "RedShift2" package, Pasachoff, (ISBN 0-03-0232163)
  
• Discovering the Universe, William Kaufmann & Neil Comins, (ISBN 0-7167-2646-7)
  

Typical Syllabus

The Universe, An Overview
• Objects in the Universe
• History of the Universe
• Telescopes and Detectors
• Physics in the Universe
• Kepler's Laws
• Newton's Laws

The Solar System
• Origin
• Inner Planets
• Earth, Moon, Calendars and Tides
• Outer Planets
• Comets, Asteroids, Meteors
• Life in the Universe
• Results from Modern Spacecraft

Stars and Our Galaxy
• Stars and Spectra
• Stellar Distances and Motions
• Double Stars, Variables, and Clusters
• Stellar Evolution
• White Dwarfs and the Death of Low Mass Stars
• Supernovae
• Neutron Stars, Pulsars, and Black Holes

Galaxies and our Universe
• Galaxies and Clusters of Galaxies
• Cosmology and the Expanding Universe
• The Early Universe
• The Future of the Universe
• Results from Modern Telescopes

Course Rationale:
A large part of public exposure and understanding of science comes through astronomy. This is partly because we live in an era when humanity is exploring the Solar System and mapping the universe. Students might therefore desire a background through which to better understand this era. Astronomy is one of the few courses that a physics department can offer that has broad appeal as an elective.