PHYSICS 014 The Astronomer s Universe 1 Instructor Brad Waugh Room 375 Stirling Hall My office phone voice mail number 533 6439 You can also reach me at 385 1712 in the evenings or by e mail at waugh astro queensu ca 2 Teaching Assistant Kathy Perrett Room 359 Stirling Hall Phone 545 6000 ext 4431 E mail perrett astro queensu ca 3 Calendar Course Description This is a full course in astronomy astrophysics and cosmology for non specialist students The course covers the philosophical and historical associations of the physical universe Topics include the understanding of the Earth s place in the universe the planets the stars the galaxies the large scale structure of the universe extraterrestrial life and intelligence Observational facts and techniques will be discussed as the source of our knowledge PREREQUISITE Secondary school algebra will be employed occasionally 4 Course Outline The Science of Astronomy What is it Why do we study it past and present The Naked Eye Sky What do you see from your backyard Astronomy in the Empirical Period Stonehenge and the Pyramids Greek Astronomy the Era of Induction Explaining what we see The Scientific Revolution the Era of Deduction Getting it right and explaining why Gravity and Light How do we get information about the universe The Earth Its history and structure and how we figure it all out The Formation of the Solar System What happened when The Planets Asteroids and Comets Their nature and our vulnerability Telescopes From optical to radio waves Stellar Spectra How we deduce stellar properties The Sun Earth s nearest stellar neighbour The Stars Some observations and properties Hertzsprung Russell Diagram Understanding stellar spectra Thermonuclear Fusion What powers the stars Star Formation The stellar nursery Stellar Evolution Middle age End Products White dwarfs neutron stars and black holes The Milky Way Its structure components and history Other Galaxies Classifying and explaining The Expanding Universe Large scale structures and motions The Big Bang and Cosmology How it all began Extraterrestrial Life What are the odds 5 Labs You will be asked to attend 2 labs per term separated by five weeks These labs are intended to demonstrate some particular points raised in the lectures that are best understood in a hands on setting You will be working in teams of three or four 6 Course Text and Web Page The course lecture notes will be supplemented by a web page at http astro queensu ca waugh The text for this course is Astronomy Today by Chaisson and McMillan This is available from the bookstore and comes with a multimedia CD There is also a web page associated with the text at http www prenhall com chaisson which is well worth checking out These resources will be used as supplements to the course lecture material 7 Exams There will be two midterms the first being on October 19th a Christmas exam and a final exam in April 8 Course Mark Labs Midterms x 2 Christmas Exam Final Exam 20 20 25 35