Astronomy
Students who
wish to become professional astronomers should consult Mr.
Stinebring of the Physics Department to arrange a program
of courses (within the framework of a physics major) that
will permit admission to graduate study in astronomy.
Courses
for a general audience. College
and Conservatory students whose primary interests may not
lie in the natural sciences but who wish to have a first-hand
acquaintance with the techniques and results of astronomy
should consider ASTR 100.
100. Introductory
Astronomy 3 hours
3NS,
QPh
First Semester.
A course designed primarily for students with little scientific
background. We will study the solar system (briefly), stars,
galaxies, and cosmology. Emphasis will be placed on the scientific
discovery process and how we know what we know. We will also
cover sky basics such as seasons, moon phases, eclipses, constellations,
etc., using in-class presentations, the Taylor Planetarium,
and the observatory. There will be required participation
in 6 planetarium sessions (half an hour per biweekly session)
and 3 observatory sessions during the semester. Enrollment
Limit:
100.
Mr. Stinebring
117. Meteorite
Impacts in Space and Time 1 hour
1NS
Second Semester.
First Module. This course is an exploration of where and
why impacts take place and what happens in the aftermath.
As Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 demonstrated when it plowed into
Jupiter in 1994, enormous amounts of energy are released
when meteorites, asteroids, comets, and planets collide.
Such collisions are commonplace on a geological time scale;
impact craters are ubiquitous throughout the solar system.
Questions addressed will include: Did a giant rock from
space kill off the dinosaurs? Was the moon created when
a Mars-size body struck the Earth? Do meteorites from Mars
contain evidence of extraterrestrial life? Could a large
impact end human civilization? Identical to GEOL 117. Enrollment
Limit:
60.
Mr. Simonson
Courses
with physics prerequisites.
152. Dark
Matter and the Fate of the Universe 2 hours
2NS
Identical
to PHYS 152.
158. Introduction
to Radio Astronomy 2 hours
2NS
First Semester.
Identical to PHYS 252.
253. Astrophysics:
Physics of Compact Objects 2 hours
2NS,
QPf
Second Semester.
Identical to PHYS 253.
255. Astrophysics:
Particle Physics and Cosmology 2 hours
2NS,
QPf
Second Semester.
Identical to PHYS 255.
451. Special
Problems in Astronomy 1-5 hours
1-5NS
Advanced individual
work for students with appropriate backgrounds. Consent
of instructor required.
Projects
sponsored by Mr. Stinebring.
995. Private
Reading 1-3 hours
1-3NS
Consent
of instructor required. Projects sponsored by Mr. Stinebring.
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