Astronomy is an exciting and cutting-edge physical science concerned with understanding everything from the origins of Earth to the fate of the universe. In this class we will survey the universe and just about all the stuff it (No small feat for a one semester course!). In doing so, you will become not only conversant in topics of modern astronomy but an active observer of (and thinker about) the universe. This is a ''hands on'' course, where you'll work through challenging questions, conduct a ''lab experiment'', and actually look through telescopes. While memorization of material is an inevitable requirement to some degree, problem sets and exams will stress understanding and application of tools you will learn in this class.
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Official Course Calendar
Instructor: Prof. Josh Bloom
Location: Evans 10 Lecture Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Tues + Thursday
Location: Evans 10 Lecture Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Tues + Thursday
Course Details
Official Course website
Log in with your CalNet ID to bspace. If you are registered for the class, you will see a tab for the class website in your bspace homepage. There is a discussion board, a calendar for the course, and a posting site for all course handouts. This will be the definitive location for course announcements and problem set postings.
Text
Astronomy Today, 6th Edition, Chaisson and McMillian. There are several copies of the text on 2 hour reserve at the Physics and Astronomy library (Hearst Field Annex; Building B).
Syllabus
| Week 1 | Cosmic Orientation | 28, 30 Aug |
| Week 2 | Waves & Radiation in Space | 4, 6, 11 Sep |
| Weeks 3 - 4 | Observing the Universe | 13, 18, 19 Sep |
| Weeks 4 - 5 | Earth-Sun-Moon System | 20, 25 Sep |
| Week 6 | The Solar System | 27 Sep, 2 Oct |
| Midterm I | (Oct 4) | |
| Week 7 | Stars & Star Formation | 9, 11 Oct |
| Week 8 | Fate of Stars | 16, 17 Oct |
| Week 9 | Brown Dwarfs and Stellar Explosions | 23, 25 Oct |
| Week 10 | Neutron Stars and Black Holes | 30 Oct, 1 Nov |
| Week 11 | Our Galaxy | 6 Nov |
| Midterm II | (Nov 8) | |
| Week 12 | Galaxies | 13 Nov |
| Week 12 - 13 | Clusters and the Growth of Structure | 15, 20 Nov |
| Thanksgiving | (Nov 22) | |
| Week 14 | Big Bang | 27, 29 Nov, 4 Dec |
| Week 15 | Life in the Universe and the Ultimate Fate | 6 Dec |
Grading Policy
| Final Exam: | 30% | [Dec 15; 5pm] |
| Midterms I and II: | 11% each | [Oct 4; Nov 8] |
| Participation: | 9% total | This includes attendance and participation in section, attendance at 1 ''star party''. |
| Assignments: | 39% | Problem Sets and Lab |