last revised 1/25/12

ASTRONOMY 330
Spring 2012
Course Syllabus

A Note About the Reading:
The reading indicated for each class meeting is to be done prior to that class.

DATE

TOPIC

READING

W 2/1 Introduction: Measuring the Sky Ch. 1,2
M 2/6 Light Ch. 2
Th. 2/9 The Interaction Between Matter and Light Ch. 3
M 2/13 Distance -- The Elusive Dimension
see also here for explanation of distances in astronomy, and parallax
Ch. 3
Th. 2/16 Kepler, Newton & Gravity Ch. 4
M 2/20 Special Session: Meet in Chapin Library in two groups according to last name:
A-J: 1:10-1:45 PM
K-Z: 1:50-2:25 PM

BE ON TIME!!
Th. 2/23 Clues to Cosmology: Redshift & Hubble Ch. 5
M 2/27 More Clues: the Cosmic Background Ch. 5
Th. 3/1 Einstein's General Relativity
Also see the following helpful notes on:
metrics and geometry
the relationship of observed properties and redshift.
Ch. 6
M 3/5 Black Holes & Quasars Ch. 6
Th. 3/8 FIRST MIDTERM EXAM through Ch. 6
M 3/12 The Expanding Universe Ch. 7
Th. 3/15 Expansion & Dark Energy
Also see the following helpful notes on the derivation of the Friedmann Equation
Ch. 7
  NO CLASS -- SPRING BREAK  
M 4/2 Understanding Radiation Ch. 8
Th. 4/5 The Nuclear Realm Ch. 9
M 4/9 Nuclear Exotica; Overview of the Big Bang Ch. 9/10
Th 4/12 The Big Bang Explains Everything Ch. 10
M 4/16 Evolution of the Universe
Ch. 11
Th. 4/19 SECOND MIDTERM EXAM through Ch. 11
M 4/23 Precision Cosmology Ch. 12
Th. 4/26 Inflation Ch. 12
M 4/30 Life Ch. 13
Th. 5/3 Extrasolar Planets Ch. 13
M 5/7 "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene Ch. 14
Th. 5/10 Into the Future Ch. 14

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